Pony Express
The Pony Express was an American express mail service that used relays of horse-mounted riders. It operated from April 3, 1860, to October 26, 1861, between Missouri and California. It was operated by the Central Overland California and Pi ...
station in southeastern
Nebraska
Nebraska () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by South Dakota to the north; Iowa to the east and Missouri to the southeast, both across the Missouri River; Kansas to the south; Colorado to the sout ...
, three miles northeast of the present-day village of Endicott. The site is preserved as Rock Creek Station State Historical Park.
History
Rock Creek Station was established in 1857 by S.C. Glenn along the
Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail was a east–west, large-wheeled wagon route and emigrant trail in the United States that connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon. The eastern part of the Oregon Trail spanned part of what is now the state of Kans ...
and California Trail, along the west bank of Rock Creek. The station was a supply center and campground for emigrants. In March 1859, the property was purchased by
David McCanles
The McCanles Gang (later changed to McCandless) was an alleged outlaw gang active in the early 1860s that was accused of train robbery, bank robbery, cattle rustling, horse theft, and murder. On July 12, 1861, some of its supposed members, inclu ...
and his brother, James, who added a toll bridge across Rock Creek, charging each wagon from 10¢ to 50¢ to cross the bridge depending upon their ability to pay. In 1860, McCanles built a cabin and dug a well on the east side of Rock Creek which became known as the East Ranch.
In early 1861, McCanles sold the East Ranch to the Russell, Waddell, and Majors firm, which owned and operated the
Pony Express
The Pony Express was an American express mail service that used relays of horse-mounted riders. It operated from April 3, 1860, to October 26, 1861, between Missouri and California. It was operated by the Central Overland California and Pi ...
, for a cash deposit with the remainder to be paid in installments. The West Ranch continued to be used as an emigrant rest stop and the home of the McCanles family until April 1861, when McCanles sold the West Ranch to freighters Hagenstein and Wolfe and moved his family to another property three miles south of Rock Creek Station.
In July 1861, David McCanles stopped by Rock Creek Station to inquire about the status of an overdue installment. An argument ensued, and McCanles was shot and killed by a young James Butler Hickok, who later became known as
Wild Bill Hickok
James Butler Hickok (May 27, 1837August 2, 1876), better known as "Wild Bill" Hickok, was a folk hero of the American Old West known for his life on the frontier as a soldier, scout, lawman, gambler, showman, and actor, and for his involvement ...
.
State park
In 1980, the
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) is the State of Nebraska's State agency charged with stewardship of the state's fish, wildlife, state park, and outdoor recreation resources. The agency is led by a governor-appointed member commission ...
began development of as a state historical park; an adjoining tract was developed as a state recreation area. Deep trail ruts can be seen in the park complex. The toll bridge and many of the station's buildings have been reconstructed; other features include a visitor center with exhibits about pioneers along the Oregon trail and Wild Bill Hickok, hiking trails, and a campground.