Pony Express Museum to celebrate 1960 re-ride

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article has been updated to reflect a correction on the dates for the circle of wagons,

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The Pony Express Museum will be hosting a celebration later this month honoring a 1960 re-ride of the famous original mail service from more than 165 years ago.

Pony Express Museum Executive Director Cindy Daffron announced Wednesday that “Circle the Wagons: Honor & Tribute to 1960 Re-ride & Riders” will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25, at the Pony Express Event Center. The event marks the 66th anniversary of that unique occasion.

The re-ride left the St. Joseph stable doors on April 3, 1960, and set out for Salt Lake City, Utah. The event later this month will feature films of the 1960 re-ride, as well as the Lee Shifflett family bringing artifacts from the historic occasion.

Daffron said in a news release that footage from 1967 will also be shown.

The celebration will include a recognition of Lee Shifflett’s brother, Raymond, who participated in the re-ride.

The event is free and open to the public.