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.

Make time for quiet places.

Not every destination needs noise to be meaningful.

Hiawatha

Hiawatha was founded in 1857. John M. Coe, John P. Wheller, and Thomas J. Drummond were instrumental in organizing the town site was staked out February 17, 1857. B.L. Rider…

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Cities to Explore

Follow what feels interesting.

Curiosity is usually a better guide than a strict plan.

Elwood

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

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The road is the experience.

Getting there is often the point, not just the outcome.

Holton

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

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A place to slow down.

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

Centralia

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Worth the stop.

Some places don't need much time, just the right moment.

Atchison

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

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Let the road decide.

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

Denison

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Leave room for the unexpected.

The best parts of a trip rarely show up on an itinerary.

Blue Rapids

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

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Take less, experience more.

What you carry matters less than what you notice.

Hanover

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Let it unfold.

Not everything needs to be scheduled to be meaningful.

Highland

The establishment of Highland begins with the Iowa, Sac and Fox Indian Mission established in…

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Lakes & Parks

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Explore a County Washington County 3 cities  ·  7 counties in Pony Express Country

Settlers began to come into this area after the Kansas Territory was opened in 1854. Many of the "great trails"…

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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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