Pony Express Country

Pony Express Country is like a charming quilt – made of pioneer spirit, small-town hospitality and colorful Native American culture. Here, you can follow the Oregon-California Trail and reach the only authentic Pony Express home station still standing at its original site. You’ll wander through historic small towns. Wind along scenic country roads to find old barns, apple orchards, forgotten ghost towns and trail ruts. Rediscover frontier river ports such as Atchison, Elwood and White Cloud, where 30 to 40 riverboats once docked. Along the way, you’re also sure to sample good food, friendly conversation and one of the most charming vacation experiences you can imagine.

Somewhere between here and nowhere.

The spaces in between are often the most memorable.

Highland

The establishment of Highland begins with the Iowa, Sac and Fox Indian Mission established in 1827 by Father Samuel Irvin, a Presbyterian missionary from Pennsylvania. A portion of the original…

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More from Pony Express Country

Cities to Explore

Let the road decide.

Plans are useful, but flexibility is where the real discoveries happen.

Elwood

A trading post was established at Elwood in 1852, in the area known as Roseport.…

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Simple trips are often the best.

You don't need much for a place to leave an impression.

Hiawatha

Hiawatha was founded in 1857. John M. Coe, John P. Wheller, and Thomas J. Drummond…

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More road, less rush.

There's no need to hurry through something worth experiencing.

Blue Rapids

On October 24, 1913, more than 3,000 fans watched the Chicago White Sox and New…

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Keep moving.

Even slow progress opens up new places and perspectives.

Hanover

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A place to slow down.

Not every stop needs to be busy to be worth your time.

Denison

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Keep it easy.

The best days usually come without pressure or overplanning.

Atchison

Situated on hills and bluffs along the Missouri River, Atchison is one of the most…

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Take the long way.

The best parts of the trip are usually the ones you didn't plan.

Centralia

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Stay a little longer.

Rushing through a place rarely does it justice.

Holton

In May of 1856, a Milwaukee wagon train financed by E.D. Holton made its way…

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Lakes & Parks

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Explore a County Jackson County 2 cities  ·  7 counties in Pony Express Country

Jackson, under the old name of Calhoun, was one of the thirty-three counties established by the first Territorial Legislature at…

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Explore a City Elwood 4 attractions  ·  21 cities in Pony Express Country

A trading post was established at Elwood in 1852, in the area known as Roseport. In 1856, the site was…

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