American Evolution

FIRST CAME HORSES

Sand Station Ruins, US 50, Nevada

The Pony Express was established in 1860 and one of the 184 stations spread across the middle and western portions of the US was this stop.  All accounts have it that it was a poor excuse for stopping. Here is what famous explorer Sir Richard Burton had to say about the place in 1860: "The water near this vile hole was thick and stale with sulphury salts; it blistered the hands. The station house was no unfit object on such a scene, roofless and chairless, filthy and squalid, with a smoky fire in one corner, impure floor, the walls open to every wind, and the interior full of dust." William Cody, aka "Buffalo Bill" at age 15 rode to this Pony Express stop. By 1861, it was abandoned. For many years it lay covered in sand. 

THEN THEY WERE IRON

Electric Locomotive #13, Ely, Nevada

Less than ten years later, the continent was linked by the Iron Horse. The West, indeed the nation, became a spider web of rail lines by 1900. This old locomotive was parked pretty much for good at the Nevada Northern Railroad yard in Ely. Though this locomotive was inoperative, the NNR operates tourist trains throughout the year.

HOW MANY HORSEPOWER DID IT TAKE?

Homer In Ely, Nevada

It didn't take many horsepower to replace the horse or the train once roads began to probe the far reaches of our continent. When we arrived in town there were at least several dozen classic cars clustered in different parts of the city. The decal on "Homer" proclaims it to be a veteran of a 1997 cross country race.