The Overland Mail Service Quiz

Who won the federal contract to transport mail between St. Louis, Missouri and San Francisco in 1857?

• William Fargo

• Henry Wells

• James Birch

• John Butterfield

How long was it supposed to take to deliver mail across the continent?

• 52 days

• 25 days

• 30 days

• 45 days

How much did Butterfield and his associates invest in getting the stage line organized?

• $1,500,000

• $2,000,000

• $600,000

• $1,000,000

What were some of the challenges faced by the Overland Mail service?

• Lack of water and conflicts with native Indian peoples

• Stagecoach robberies and bandit attacks

• All of the above

• Severe weather conditions and equipment failure

What was the primary mode of transportation used by the Overland Mail Service?

• Horseback riders

• Stagecoaches

• Steamboats

• Railroads

In what year did the Overland Mail Service begin operating?

• 1850

• 1858

• 1860

• 1865

Which of the following cities was NOT a stop for the Overland Mail Service?

• San Francisco, California

• St. Louis, Missouri

• Memphis, Tennessee

• San Antonio, Texas

Which company was primarily responsible for the operation of the Overland Mail Service?

• American Express

• Wells Fargo & Company

• Butterfield Overland Mail Company

• Pony Express

What significant event led to the stoppage of the Overland Mail Service?

• The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad

• The start of the Civil War

• The signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

• The California Gold Rush

How often was the Overland Mail Service initially scheduled to run each way between its termini?

• Once a week

• Twice a week

• Once a month

• Every day