Submitted by scott on Tue, 07/16/2013 - 16:02

Miller’s/Reed’s Station (N39 17 37.9 W119 27 24.7) (P)  

Today the site of Miller’s or Reed’s Station is on private land ~8 miles from Dayton down the Old River Road. Nothing remains because the lumber in the building was used elsewhere. It was originally one of the 20 or so stations along the Carson River branch of the California Emigrant Trail in 1849 and 1850. It became a relay station when the Pony Express started in 1860. It became known as Reed’s Station when G.W. Reed purchased it on July 1, 1861.  http://www.expeditionutah.com/featured-trails/pony-express-trail/nevada-pony-express-stations/ 

MILLER'S/REED'S STATION  

Sources generally agree on the identity of this station as a C.O.C. & P.P. Express Co. station, possibly located near the area where the north and south branches of the original Pony Express and Overland Mail Company trails rejoined.  Bloss lists Miller's and Reed's as separate stations, but other sources agree that the two names represent the same station.  The station began about 1849 or 1850 as a stopping point on the California Emigrant Trail, and the Pony Express included the site as one of its original relay stations in 1860. On July 1, 1861, the station passed into the hands of G. W. Reed. Even though Reed owned the station after that date, some people knew it as Miller's Station. On October 19, 1860, Richard Burton stopped at "Miller's Station" for about one and one-half hours, where he and his companions had a snack and waited for a heavy rain shower to end.  A letter written by an employee, C.H. Ruffing, on May 31, 1860, from Miller's Station to W.W. Finney stated:  

I have just returned from Cold Springs-was driven out by the Indians, who attacked us night before last. The men at Dry Creek Station have been killed and it is thought the Roberts Creek Station has been destroyed. The Express turned back after hearing the news from Dry Creek. Eight animals were stolen from Cold Springs on Monday. Hamilton is at the Sink of the Carson, on his way in with all the men and horses. He will get to Buckland tomorrow.  

Nothing remains of the station's structures, but a well still exists on the site. http://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/poex/hrs/hrs8a.htm#162

Linked Chapters

Marker Category
Pony Express
Geolocation

39.368278503418, -119.43237304688

Geofield
Roughing It

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