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An understanding of the earliest Post Offices and mails of the
Colorado gold regions is dependent on an understanding of the
stage coach companies. The earliest mails were carried on foot
up the "Trapper's Trail" to Fort Laramie. The stage
coach era began when the first Leavenworth & Pike's Peak Express
Company coach rolled into Denver on May 7, 1859. The following
is an outline of the most important developments:
1. Leavenworth
& Pike's Peak Express Company - Carried mails
over the Republican River route between Denver City and Leavenworth
City between May 7, 1859 and June 7, 1859. Route changed to Platte
Valley and continued until handstamp replaced by Jones & Russells
on July 19, 1859.
2. Jones
& Russells Pike's Peak Express Company handstamp
introduced supplanting Leavenworth & Pike's Peak Express handstamp.
Continued express service until taken over by C.O.C. & P.P.
Express in February, 1860.
3. Central
Overland California & Pike's Peak Express Company
operated from February, 1860 until it was sold to Ben Holladay
in March, 1862.
4. Hinckley's
Express was founded in 1860 and operated between
the mining regions west of Denver to Denver and then on to Omaha
City, Nebraska. The company was purchased by
C.O.C. & P.P. on May, 1861.
5. Well's
Fargo & Company did not operate in Colorado
until 1866 and only continued until 1869.
6. Rocky Mountain
Transportation Company
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