Marker Title (required): The Lonely Vigil . . .
Marker Text (required):
When you think of the Pony Express, the image of the heroic rider, hat blown back by the wind, his horse at full gallop, comes to mind.
But have you ever thought much about the men who operated the Pony Express stations? These stationmasters may lack the glamour of the Pony riders, but actually they often endured more hardships and danger than the riders.
In Nevada, the basic criteria for selecting a station site was proximity to water, so the stations were not always placed for safety or convenience. The stationmasters were in constant danger of Indian attack, and several were killed by Indians.
Except for home stations, where riders exchanged places, the stationmasters had little time to talk to the riders. Their job was only to have a fresh horse ready for the incoming rider. In many stations, it was a lonely life, with the stationmasters far from settlements, fearful of Indian attacks, and always waiting . . . waiting for the next rider.
County (required): Churchill
Marker Type (required): Other (describe below)
Other Marker Type (optional): Fiberglass sign
Is Marker Damaged? (required): No
Other Damage Type (optional): NA
Marker Number (If official State Marker from NV SHPO website above, otherwise leave blank): Not Listed
URL - Website (optional): Not listed
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