Pony Express ~ 1860-1861

     In 1860 the freight firm of Russell, Majors, and Waddell promised to deliver the mail in ten days over a route between St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. 190 way stations were established and riders traveled about 75 miles a day exchanging horses at every relay station. Although the time was half that of the Overland Mail which followed a longer route through the Southwest, the Pony Express was financially unsuccessful, Russell, Majors, and Waddell went bankrupt, and the service stopped after 18 months when the telegraph was completed. The route of the riders is shown on the background map.

Automotive Industry ~ 1960

     The stamp was issued in conjunction with the National Automobile Show in 1960 as a tribute to the automotive industry. The globes indicate the world-wide 

Echo I ~ 1960

     This stamp was issued to commemorate Echo I, the first communications satellite. It was placed in orbit August 12 and reflected radio waves back to earth.

Land Grant Act ~ 1862

     The Land Grant Act signed into law by Abraham Lincoln in 1862 granted to each State 30,000 acres for each Senator and Representative under apportionment based on the 1860 census. Proceeds from the sale of these lands were to be invested in a perpetual endowment fund which would provide support for colleges of agriculture and mechanical arts in each of the states. This Act has been used to establish the so-called "land-grant" colleges. In South Dakota, South Dakota State University has benefited from the endowment funds.