In the brief sixteen-month history of the Pony Express routes and stations changed frequently. Barns burned, wells dried up, shorter and safer routes were developed. In central Nevada between Middlegate and Miller’s Stations the route changed in 1861. The southern route utilizing Fort Churchill was abandoned following skirmishes with Native Americans. A northern route was developed and named “Stillwater Dogleg Route”.
Mountain Wells was on the Stillwater Dogleg Route and used as a Pony Express relay station between July and October of 1861 when the riders made their final dash from Missouri to California. Relay stations were smaller stations where riders would exchange their horse for a fresh mount.
After cessation of the Pony Express, the Overland Mail Company utilized Mountain Wells as a stage and telegraph station. The station had an abundance of fresh water, hay and produce from local farmers. The station provided fresh water to local towns and mines including La Plata.
Mountain Wells was used by traffic between neighboring towns including Fallon, Stillwater, La Plata, Wonder, Fairview and Dixie Valley.
In 1986, remnants of Mountain Wells were used to construct a Cow Camp.
I visited Mountain Wells on a GGTT, Girl Ghost Town Trip. I haven’t had that much fun in a long time, I laughed so hard my abs hurt! We started at Stillwater school, followed the Pony Express route to Mountain Well Pony Express Station then over the Stillwaters to La Plata and Averill. We drove a pole line, similar to the Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland, up through Dixie Valley. I lost track of how many times I hit a wash and said “S**t, sorry about that!” I’m not sure if I was apologizing to my friends or Honey Badger. 
Visited 2-28-2021
References
- Cassinelli, Dennis: Pony Express Stations, Part 8: The Northern Route (Stillwater Dogleg)
- Di Certo, Joseph J. The Saga of the Pony Express. Mountain Press Publishing Company, 2002 Page 142.
- Forgotten Nevada: Mountain Well
- National Park Service: Pony Express Historic Resource Study
- National Pony Express Association: Nevada Stations
- National Pony Express Association: Stations
- Nevada Expeditions: Mountain Wells
- Paher, Stanley. Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps. Nevada Publications, 1970. Page 95.
- Sparks Tribune: Pony Express Stations, the Northern Route: Stillwater Dogleg
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