Massasoit House
Atchison, United States
<br>On September 14, 1861 the "Central Overland California and Pike's Peak Express Co." who were the original owners and operators of the Pony Express moved their offices from the Patee House in St. Joseph, Missouri to here at the "Massasoit House." It was located 164 feet east at the NW corner of Second and Main.<br><br> The actual "horse" Pony Express was now operating to California from Ft. Kearny, Nebraska twice a week. The Pony Express mail between here and Ft. Kearny was carried by stagecoach.<br><br> All Pony Express envelopes coming from California were hand cancelled with Atchison as the postmark and carried the famous Wells Fargo Pony Express stamp. The average Pony Express letter now cost $1.00 per 1/2 ounce where the original cost was $5.00.<br><br> © 1994 Joe Nardone