Education

There are a variety of lessons and activities for grades 4-12. The historic trail lessons are an essential lens to understanding the perspectives, pathways and intersections of emigrants, American Indians, white settlers, soldiers and traders throughout the early to late 19th century. We encourage you to incorporate these lessons into your classroom as you deem fit.

We highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with:

• National Park Service for Teachers

Through the portal, you will have full access to NPS recommended lessons and activities that align with Common Core and State Standards. Simply use the search engine and type in "Pony Express National Historic Trail." Some of these lessons are credited to teachers in local communities, while others link to partner websites and associated trail sites along the Pony Express Trail.

National Historic Trails Lesson Plan

• Pathways and Perspectives Lesson Plan

This 3-5 day lesson focuses on the skills of collaboration and presentation in an effort to teach students about the content and concepts along nine of the national historic trails. The purpose of this is to have them not only research and understand, but also think critically about the pathways and perspectives of trail travelers. This multiday lesson plan was created by a Colorado teacher for national historic trails (see below).

• More about Caleb and his work as a Teacher Ranger Teacher

Pony Express Scholarship Essay Contest

For over 25 years, the Kansas Division of the National Pony Express Association has sponsored an essay contest for graduating seniors in Washington, Marshall, Nemaha, Brown, and Doniphan counties. The contest began when a trustee of a local trust saw the need for scholarships to promote the Pony Express and help students advance their educations. The winning essay of 2026, written by Ava Spicer of Marysville High School, was chosen out of 41 applications to receive top honors.

Pony Express Influence on the Civil War
By Ava Spicer, Marysville High School

View an 1861 envelope carried by the Pony Express during the Civil War.

The Pony Express revolutionized long distance communication by using old technology, a horse and a rider, in a new way. The Pony Express played an important role at the beginning of the Civil War by speeding up communication between the eastern United States and western territories, helping the Union maintain support from states such as California. It was crucial for Abraham Lincoln to be able to get information to western territories, and connect them to the Union. This system allowed residents of the western states to be informed about the developments in the war.

Before the Pony Express information took weeks, sometimes months, to reach its final destination. That problem became even more serious as new developments occurred rapidly during the Civil War Era. There was a strong need for faster coast to coast communication. The Pony Express cut the time it took to deliver a letter in half, making deliveries possible in l0 days or less. The Pony Express route ran from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California, covering nearly 2,000 miles. It took the Pony Express seven days and 17 hours to deliver Abraham Lincoln's inaugural address to California, which marked the beginning of the Civil War Era.

In April of 1861 the Civil War began between the Confederacy and the Union. During the early months of the war, the Pony Express helped deliver important news and government messages to residents and officials in western territories. These people relied on the Pony Express to bring news from their friends and family on the effects of the war.

Both the Confederacy and the Union wanted to gain the support of the western states because of their vast resources and political support. The Union ultimately won the support of California, and as a result strengthened the Union. Abraham Lincoln was able to communicate more effectively and directly with government officials in California through the Pony Express. This kept officials in California informed of military orders and developments. Fast communication through the Pony Express helped keep the western territories aligned with the Union during the early stages of the Civil War. The federal government was also able to have a presence in the western territories through the development of the Pony Express.

Although the Pony Express operated for 18 months, it played an important role in connecting the eastern United States with the western territories in critical moments before and during the Civil War. The Pony Express allowed for faster communication between the coasts of the United States. It strengthened the Union by gaining the support of California. Abraham Lincoln was able to send military orders faster and keep residents of the western states informed through the Pony Express.