Incorporated in 1854, Leavenworth is the oldest city in Kansas. In 1857 the firm of Russell, Majors & Waddell made the rapidly growing community the headquarters of their vast overland transportation system. In April 1860 the company's other venture, the Pony Express, used lightweight riders on fleet ponies to speed the mail from St. Joseph, Mo., to Sacramento, Calif., in as little as 9 days. Completion of the transcontinental telegraph in October 1861 rendered the service obsolete. Learn More...