A distant view of Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1873. (Timothy O'Sullivan/NARA)
Posted on 05/24/2012 12:32:22 PM PDT by BO Stinkss
In the 1860s and 70s, photographer Timothy O'Sullivan created some of the best-known images in American History. After covering the U.S. Civil War, (many of his photos appear in this earlier series), O'Sullivan joined a number of expeditions organized by the federal government to help document the new frontiers in the American West. The teams were comprised of soldiers, scientists, artists, and photographers, and tasked with discovering the best ways to take advantage of the region's untapped natural resources. O'Sullivan brought an amazing eye and work ethic, composing photographs that evoked the vastness of the West. He also documented the Native American population as well as the pioneers who were already altering the landscape. Above all, O'Sullivan captured -- for the first time on film -- the natural beauty of the American West in a way that would later influence Ansel Adams and thousands more photographers to come. [34 photos]
(Excerpt) Read more at theatlantic.com ...
> They look nothing like Elizabeth Warren.
:)
Image #12 reminded me of the desert scenes in ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’.
The Indians haven’t changed all that much.. They’ve discovered the utility of backpacks along the border, however.
Thanks for finding, and bringing it to us here on FR.
Remarkable pictures. I’ve been to almost all the locations shown. Thanks for posting.
“Remarkable pictures. I’ve been to almost all the locations shown. Thanks for posting”
You’re welcome.
I’m curious, are any of the locations you mentioned “untouched” for the most part?
Some beautiful photos. Having lived in Salt Lake for 4 years in the late 80’s, it was neat to see the photos of Alta and Big Cottonwood Canyon.
I think the water level of Pyramid Lake is just a little lower now.
I lice around those Mohave County sites. Trust me, they are as awesome as they look. But visit the area from Oct to April. Trust me on that too ;)
ping...
LIVE!!
Damn fat fingers...
Canyon De Chelly is likely the closest. I went there first back in the early 1960’s when you could hike the canyon. Of course, much of Nevada remains the same but a lot of the old mines and towns are largely gone. Santa Fe is probably the hardest to recognize and the Snake River has greatly changed. El Moro has a bit of unfortunate graffiti but still looks the same. Zuni has changed but is in part still recognizable.
Incredible photos!
Thanks!
Agreed. Thanks I love photographs depicting conditions of the 19th century.
Incredible photographs. I have been to many of those places.
Thank you for posting this article.
Back when Arizona wasn’t a state and the Colorado River didn’t run dry.
Thank You
I really enjoy these pictures.
I am thinking of framing some of these prints.
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