Station Keeper

1. Visit some of the following sites to learn more about Station Keepers on the Pony Express (keep in mind: The official name of your Pony Express Company, Where your express is coming from--a starting point, and where it is going--an ending point (these could even be major towns in your state--they are not limited to a specific county); An estimate for how much it will cost; What towns will become stations, where they are located, and why they are best for this purpose; How the stations (meaning stables, main house, etc.) should be set up for maximum efficiency.)

• http://www.xphomestation.com/frm-riders.html (click on the "Station Keepers" link in the first sentence) some of the people and their stories who were Station Keepers on the Pony Express.
• http://www.ci.st-joseph.mo.us/history/ponyexpress.cfm this site is about the first part of the journey.
• http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist1/pxpress.html. Founding of the Pony Express: why they created it, the first mail they sent through it, how many employees they had, how much it cost to send a letter, etc.
• http://www.historynet.com/the-pony-express-riders-of-destiny.htm Covers facts like: original name, intentions, money problems, business problems, and also an Indian War that halted the services of the Express in 1860.
• http://historyday.crf-usa.org/1714/stations.html some pictures of a few of the known stations along the Pony Express Route.
• http://www.standbesideher.com/pony-express.shtml covers advertisement, money, Indians, bankruptcy, etc.

2. Design and make a Wanted Poster advertising your need for riders (and any other people you think you might need to make this a successful venture).

3. Get into your 5-person groups (2 riders, 2 station keepers, and 1 stock manager) and briefly describe what you found out about your role.

4. Prepare to help plan your own Pony Express Route.