Pony Express Centennial Association

Incorporated (1958) to commemorate Pony Express centennial (1860/61-1960/61). Widely promoted by Waddell Smith, descendant of an original partner, collector of Pony Express artifacts and authority on company history. President Eisenhower served as honorary chairman. Board of Directors included postmaster general and director of National Park Service. Waddell Smith served as president. Association activities included a multi-state historical marker program and a two-way reenactment across original route with a thousand volunteer riders.

Administrative History

History

The Pony Express Centennial Association was incorporated (1958) to foster and facilitate commemorations of the centennial of the Pony Express (1860-1861). The man principally responsible for promoting this Association was retired Air Force Lt. Col. Waddell Smith, a grandson of one of the partners in the firm Russell, Majors and Waddell which had operated the Pony Express. A collector of Pony Express artifacts and an authority on the history of the company, Smith served as President of the Association. Association activities included a multi-state historic marker program and a two-way reenactment across the original route with a thousand volunteer riders.