The Hollenberg Pony Express Station in Washington County, northeastern Kansas, is the only unaltered original Pony Express station still standing in its original location in the United States. Built in 1857 by Gerat Hollenberg as a home, inn, and trading post along the Oregon-California Trail, the low, wood-frame building at 2889 23rd Road near Hanover was contracted as a Pony Express relay station when the mail service launched in April 1860. Over the 18 months the Pony Express operated, riders stopped here to swap exhausted horses for fresh mounts and continue westward at full gallop. The station sits in the rolling hills of Washington County, four miles northwest of Hanover and approximately two hours northeast of Topeka via US-36 — a remote drive that emphasizes the isolation the original riders and settlers experienced on the trail west. The Kansas Historical Society manages the site as a state historic site. Inside the main building, period furnishings recreate the appearance of the station during the 1860s, with interpretive panels explaining the Hollenberg family's role as station keepers, the daily operations of the Pony Express, and the dramatic short history of the service before the telegraph made it obsolete in October 1861. An adjacent barn replica and outdoor interpretive signs cover the Oregon-California Trail ruts still visible in the surrounding grassland. The grounds are open seasonally; the station interior is accessible during staffed hours Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free.
Good to know
- Hours
- Wed–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 1pm–5pm. Closed Mon–Tue and state holidays.
- Best time
- Spring–fall
Location
2889 23rd Rd, Hanover, KS 66945
39.9006, -96.8728 View on map
Highlights
- The only unaltered original Pony Express relay station still standing on its original site in the United States
- Built 1857 as a trading post and inn, contracted as a Pony Express station for the service's full 18-month operation in 1860–1861
- Period-furnished interior recreating the station as it appeared during the height of the Pony Express
- Oregon-California Trail ruts visible in the surrounding grassland — physical evidence of the overland migration
- Remote Washington County setting that conveys the geographic isolation experienced by Pony Express riders and Oregon Trail emigrants
Tips for visiting
- The station is only open Wednesday through Sunday — check hours at kshs.org before making the drive from Topeka.
- The site is free to visit; no reservation is required.
- Combine with Hollenberg and the nearby town of Hanover for a full Washington County day trip from Topeka.
- Bring binoculars: the surrounding rolling grassland is good habitat for meadowlarks, upland sandpipers, and other prairie birds.
- The access road off US-36 is paved to the site; the parking area is gravel and informal.
When to visit
Late spring through early fall (April–October) for the most comfortable conditions at this rural site. Wednesday through Sunday only during staffed hours; confirm current hours at kshs.org before visiting.
Accessibility
The site is on level ground and the exterior grounds and parking area are accessible. The station interior has a low original threshold; staff can assist visitors with mobility limitations. Restrooms on site are a portable unit; inquire about accessible facilities when planning the visit.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
A thorough visit including the interior interpretation, outdoor interpretive signs, and a walk around the grounds takes 45 minutes to 90 minutes.
Why is this station historically significant?
Of the estimated 190 Pony Express stations that operated along the 1,900-mile route from Missouri to California, the Hollenberg station is the only one that has never been moved or substantially altered, making it the most authentic surviving physical link to the service.
Is photography allowed?
Photography is freely permitted both inside and outside the station. The exterior of the original 1857 building and the Oregon Trail ruts in the surrounding grassland are the primary subjects.