Pony Express Barn Museum

Though the Pony Express only ran mail across the frontier for 18 months between 1860 and 1861, there remains immense popular interest in the history of the legendary postal service. The route that riders traveled stretched from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. Due to the trip’s excessive length, riders would have to stop and pass their mail along to fresh riders at what were known as “home stations.” This Maryville building served as just such a home station. It was built in 1859 by Joseph Cottrell as stone barn, which today features a museum.