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| The Pony Express The Pony Express passed here 1860-1861. "Scott's Bluff Station" was located 2 1/2 miles northwest of Mitchell Pass, near the site of the later Fort Mitchell. There were other stations at Courthouse Rock, Chimney Rock, Ficklin's Springs and Horse Creek. U.S.l Department of the Interior, National Park Service. |
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| Founders, Owners, Operators Pony Express Russell, Majors, Waddell National Pony Express Centennial Association 1860-61 Trauil Marker 1960-61 |
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| Choices What route would your take? Wagon Trains that arrived at Scott's Bluff had a choice to make. Although they wanted to stay close to the North Platt River, the bluffs were in the way. Traveling through the badlands next to the river was impossible for wagons. Before 1851 the ravines on the west wide of the bluffs prevented wagons from going through the notch ahead of you. They could cross the river to the north side, which meant braving the currents and quicksand, or they could take Robidous Pass to the south and make a long detour. Robidous Pass received its name from two brothers who built a trading post on the trail. A nearby spring of good water, a blacksmith available for repairs and the chance to buy or trade for needed items made this a decent route to travel. In 1850 soldiers from Fort Laramie, or traders in competition with Robidoux, created a narrow trail through the ravines at Mitchell Pass. The new route brought them back to the river eight miles before the old one. Emigrants started to take advantage of the shorter route back to the river in the 1851 travel season. |
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