Placerville-Overland Pony Express Route in California

The Pony Express ran for eighteen months, and Placerville was its western end for only the last four. Until July 1861 the town was a relay station, where riders changed horses and carried on toward Sacramento. Then the route shortened and Placerville became the terminus. The service stopped altogether that October, ended by the transcontinental telegraph. The plaque names the first eastbound rider, William Hamilton, who changed horses here on April 4, 1860 and rode for Sportsman's Hall.

What the plaque says

Placerville Pony Express Station and Terminus Gold Rush town and western terminus of the Placerville-Carson Road to the Comstock, Placerville was a relay station of the Central Overland Pony Express, April 4, 1860 - June 30, 1861. Here on April 4, 1860, the first east-bound pony rider, William (Sam) Hamilton, changed horses, added one express letter to his mochila, and sped away for Sportsman's Hall. On July 1, 1861 Placerville became the western terminus of the Pony Express, until its discontinuance on October 26, 1861. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 701 Plaque placed by the California State Park Commission in cooperation with the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, James W. Marshall Chapter 49, E Clampus Vitus, and the Central Overland Pony Express Trail Association, April 2, 1960.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park — 6.7 mi
  The tailrace at Coloma where a carpenter found gold in January 1848 and the world came running.

More markers nearby

• Hangman's Tree — steps away
• Old Dry Diggins-Old Hangtown-Placerville — 0.3 mi
• Studebaker's Shop (Site of) — 0.3 mi
• Methodist Episcopal Church — 0.5 mi