Original Pony Express Station

 Cozad’s original Pony Express Station has attracted much attention through the years.  Located in the Veteran’s Memorial Park, it is often times a focal point for visiting tourists.  The cabin was originally built about 1849 on the south bank of the Platte River, south of Darr by Mr. Pat Malalley.  Mr. Malalley built it of red cedars which he found in the canyons to the west.  He used wooden pegs in the construction and he plastered it with clay which he found in the hills to the south.  This clay made a “pink” plaster.   This Malalley Ranch became not only a trading post for Indians but also a camping place for wagon trains because there was water available and wood for repairs and fuel.  Later it became known as the Willow Island station and was used as a stage and Pony Express station during the Pony Express April 1860 – October 1861.

In 1864 Congress approved the construction of a transcontinental railroad which would eventually meet at the 100th Meridian, the site of Cozad, Nebraska.  This site was later changed to Utah.  At this time soldiers were stationed at the Mallalley Ranch and it was renamed Fort Willow Island (not to be confused with the Willow Island Railroad Station to the west). 

In 1906 G. J. Baldwin purchased the Malalley-Freeman Ranch, and the family lived in the log house until their home could be built.  From that time until 1936 the log house was used as a store house, a blacksmith shop and even a pig pen.

In 1936 the American Legion Post No. 77 of Cozad, Nebraska purchased the Malalley log house, the official Willow Island Pony Express Station for $75.00 and brought it to the Cozad City Park, now the Veteran’s Memorial Park.  The house was taken down log by log and reconstructed to its exact size with all doors and windows in authentic places.  A new roof was put on the log house.

It was moved to its present location, rebuilt and dedicated by Dawson County American Legion Post 77 in 1938. Mr. Carl Gustafson had a marker built of Colorado red rock to stand beside the Pony Express Station, and the marker contains an official Pony Express Medallion issued by the Pony Express Headquarters in San Rafael, California.  A plaque which is attached to the building states:  “May the spirit of those hardy pioneers who blazed a trail to the golden West never die.” 

This information is from the Robert Henri Museum and Historical Walkway booklet written by Betty Menke

For more information, please contact:
	Chamber of Commerce Lydia Loewenstein    Chamber Director 135 W 8th Street Cozad, Nebraska 69130 cozadchmbr@cozadtel.net Phone: (308) 784-3930 Fax: (308) 784-3026	City of Cozad Susan Kloepping     City Clerk 215 West 8th Street Cozad, Nebraska 69130 cozadcty@cozadtel.net Phone: (308) 784-3907 Fax: (308) 784-3509	Economic Development Robyn Geiser     Executive Director 135 W 8th Street Cozad, Nebraska 69130 geiser.cdc@cozadtel.net Phone: (308) 784-3930 Fax: (308) 784-3026
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