Pony Express Bridge
[Front of Marker:]
Dedicated April 23, 2000
WEST SACRAMENTO
by
James Stretesky
First Northern Bank
Daniel F. Ramos Family
Frank C. Ramos Family
Dr. & Mrs. James O. Farley
West Sacramento Land Company
West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce
Pony Express Trail Association
[A list of sponsors is on bottom of base]
[Back of Marker:]
The first bridge to span the Sacramento River was built by the Sacramento and Yolo Bridge Company. It was a wooden spring span bridge, completed on June 27, 1858 at a cost of $60,000. The toll was 5 cents per pedestrian.
The bridge was 70 and 174 feet north of the west and east ends of today’s “I” Street Bridge. This bridge was used by the 1860-1861 Pony Express 20 times from Sacramento to San Francisco. All other Pony Express mail between these two cities both westbound and eastbound was carried by the river steamers. They docked at the foot of “K” Street in Old Sacramento.
Sam Hamilton was the first Pony Express rider over this bridge. He left Sacramento at 1:15 a.m. on April 23, 1860 crossing here a few minutes later.
2000 Joe Nardone
[A list of sponsors is on bottom of base]
Marker can be reached from 2nd Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
