A pony express route was established in the late 1860's connecting Walla Walla, Washington, with Missoula, Montana. The route entered Kootenai Country at Stateline (ID/WA), then proceeded notheast to the relay station at Rathdrum, ID. Then to Steamboat landing at the south end of Lake Pen Oreille. Charles Westley Wood was a pony rider for five years on this route.

He married the daughter of Fredrick Post who owned the area around the relay station, which he bought and became a founding father of the city of Rathdrum, Idaho. Fredrick Post became the founding father of Post Falls, Idaho. Originally the town was named Westwood after Charles Westley Wood.

Information provided by Kris Storey, Member of the Rathdrum/Westwood Historical Society, May 2004.