How the Wild West REALLY looked: Gorgeous sepia-tinted pictures ...

MAIL Online ^ | PUBLISHED: 09:11 EST, 25 May 2012 | Rob Cooper

[brityank]

How the Wild West REALLY looked: Gorgeous sepia-tinted pictures show the landscape as it was charted for the very first time

By Rob Cooper
PUBLISHED: 09:11 EST, 25 May 2012 | UPDATED: 13:39 EST, 25 May 2012

These remarkable 19th century sepia-tinted pictures show the American West as you have never seen it before - as it was charted for the first time.

The photos, by Timothy O'Sullivan, are the first ever taken of the rocky and barren landscape.

At the time federal government officials were travelling across Arizona, Nevada, Utah and the rest of the west as they sought to uncover the land's untapped natural resources.

 

Breathtaking landscape: A view across the Shoshone Falls, Snake River, Idaho in 1874 as it was caught on camera by photographer Timothy O'Sullivan during Lt. George M. Wheeler's survey west of the One Hundredth Meridian that lasted from 1871 to 1874. Approximately 45 feet higher than the Niagara falls of the U.S and Canada, the Shoshone Falls are sometimes called the 'Niagara of the West'. Before mass migration ...

 

Portrait: Native American (Paiute) men, women and children pose for a picture near a tree. The picture is thought to have been taken in Cottonwood Springs (Washoe County), Nevada, in 1875. Known for his dispassionate views towards native Americans on his travels, O'Sullivan was more interested in photographing the true lifestyles of the indigenous people and not a preconceived image ...

 

[TheConservativeParty]

To your pictures at your profile....I say “WOW!”.

Also, would you please add me to your ping list?

Thank you also for your service to our country!

[rdl6989]

Beautiful

[brityank]

Modern, but I think this should be pinged.

I agree, that on a world stage this is 'modern'. Still, I get a giggle out of the concept that 'antique' here in the States is anything over 75-100 years old. Thanks.

[brityank]

Thanks for the updated shots of the area. I did a little traveling around Vegas and Phoenix, back in the 80’s, and loved the scenery and breathtaking vista’s.

[Bon of Babble]

Breathtaking!!

I looked up “Shoshone Falls” on wikipedia and there is a modern photo of it along with O’Sullivan’s sepia-toned photo. Even in sepia tone, the photo of Shoshone Falls is spectacular, as are the others, including the ones of the Indians.

[ApplegateRanch]

Thanks for posting...and for the ping.

We were amazed by how many of those places we’ve been, including, or especially, the out of the way ones.

[Thombo2]

Great pics.Thnx for posting.A very different era.Rugged terrain and harsh conditions.I imagine life/survival could be very challenging.Later,Tom

[Towed_Jumper]

Wow...amazing and beautiful pictures. I’ve lived in the West almost my whole life, spending a lot of time out of doors. I’ve often wondered what this area would have been like 100+ years ago. Thanks for posting!

[Beowulf9]

Beautiful!

But it doesn’t take a genius to recognize Timothy needs to go shopping with a woman. He doesn’t know his own size in coats.