Utah. Pony Express Centennial Commission.

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY: In order to "recognize the important contribution to the heritage of the state of Utah played by the pony express," the Thirty-third Leglislature in March 1959 approved the creation of the Utah Pony Express Centennial Commission to coordinate the state's centennial observance.

The commission coordinated activities in Utah with commemorative events organized in other states as well as those of the National Pony Express Centennial Association, whose headquarters was also in Salt lake City.

Rather than shoulder the burden of organizing every centennial-related activity from scratch, the commission chose to support the traditional rodeos and other events customarily sponsored by established local celebration committees. Local committees were invited to join hands with the commission, which suggested that observance everywhere be built around a Pony Express theme. The commission also sponsored some special events. Re-enactments of the eastbound and westbound rides over the original Pony Express route were the heart of the centennial observance.

The commission operated under the direction of the Governor (honorary chairman), who had authority to appoint an unspecified number of individual members. The chairman of the Tourist and Publicity Council, the director of the Historical Society, and the chairman of the Park and Recreation Commission were required by legislation to serve as ex-officio members of the commission.

An executive board comprised of the chairmen of the commission's nine standing subcommittees together with the general officers of the commission was empowered to act in the name of the commission as a whole.

FUNCTIONAL HISTORY: In December 1958, Governor George Dewey Clyde asked a group of Utah citizens to work with the National Pony Express Association in planning for and producing activities to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Pony Express. This committee became the 40-member Utah Pony Express Commission once the enabling legislation was passed the following March.

Empowered by the enabling act to "organize and direct such subcommittees as it shall consider necessary," the Utah Pony Express Centennial Commission officially formed nine subcommittees, namely: Arts, Communications Exposition, Finance, History, Parades and Pioneer Events, Pony Express Run (Operations), Promotion, Queens, and Sports.

The commission disbanded after the 1960 centennial celebrations we re held. The commissions's record on expenditures and other important documents were filed with the State Finance Commission and the State Historical Society.

From the description of Agency History Record. (Utah State Archives). WorldCat record id: 151697683