Exploring the West in the Golden Age of Photography

Lesson Plan: "Exploring the West in the Golden Age of Photography"

Lesson plan by SU Libraries Special Collections & Archives Photograph Curator and Instruction Coordinator,, Dan Davis, which cobmines teaching with primary sources and nineteenth century Western photography.

Building Permanent Bridge, Green River

Stereo-view of Union Pacific workmen building the permanent railroad bridge at Green River Wyoming. Image taken by photographer A.J. Russell during the construction of the transcontinental railroad. Original caption is "Construction Permanent…

Canadian Prairie with human skull

Original caption “The Prairie Looking West.” Large-format photograph of a scene on the Canadian prairies. Shows bones (including a human skull) and an extremely flat horizon. Photographs taken at Lord Selkirk's settlement by Canadian photographer…

Lost Camp Spur Cut, Central Pacific Railroad

Stereo-view showing a cut and a railroad engine on the Central Pacific Railroad. Image taken by photographer Alfred A. Hart. Original caption calls this the "Lost Camp Spur Cut"

"East Portal of Summit Tunnel"

Stereoview photograph #198 by Alfred Hart for the Central Pacific Railroad collection. Photograph features a railroad worker with a dump cart standing in the entrance to a tunnel in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Caption: "East Portal of Summit Tunnel,…

Cropped version of A.J. Russell and his large-format camera

Cropped version of a stereo-view taken at Bitter Creek Valley between Rock Springs and Green River, Wyoming. Man in the image is probably A.J. Russell with his large-format camera. Image probably taken by an assistant for the photographer A.J.…

Tintype of A.J. Russell

Tintype studio portrait of A.J. Russell taken by an unknown photographer.

Mormon Family

Stereo-view of a man, four women, and numerous children outside of a small cabin. Image taken by photographer A.J.Russell. Russell described this scene as representing Mormon polygamy. Original caption is, "Mormon Family"

Building Union Pacific Railroad Tunnel No. 3

Stereo-view of Union Pacific railroad workers in Echo Canyon at Tunnel No. 3 during the construction of the transcontinental railroad. Image taken by photographer A.J. Russell.

Mormon workers on a deep cut in Weber Canyon

Stereo-view of Mormon workers on a cut in Weber Canyon during the construction of the transcontinental railroad. Image taken by photographer A.J. Russell.

Across the Continent: Westward the Course of Empire Takes its Way

Lithograph sold by Frances Palmer depicting an allegorical scene of Western American expansion.

A.J. Russell with his stereo camera at Echo, Utah

Stereo-view of a man (probably A.J. Russell) standing next to a stereo-view camera at Echo, Utah during the construction of the transcontinental railroad. Image probably taken by an assistant for the photographer A.J. Russell.

"Photographing Under Difficulties"

Originally a stereoview photograph by A.J. Russell, number 91. Title: "Photographing Under Difficulties." This photograph depicts the Clarence King surveying party in the Uintah mountains, climbing a steep cliff with all of their equipment for the…

Cropped view of A.J. Russell's developing box on his darkroom wagon

A cropped view of an A.J. Russell stereo-view showing his developing box on his darkroom wagon taken during the construction of the transcontinental railroad.

Photography and Exploration

Lithographic view of a collodion wet-glass plate photographer and a young boy with equipment and a dark room tent. Image found in the book A History and handbook of Photography.

"Lake Blanche. Heart of the Wasatch Mts. Utah" 1870s

A photograph of Lake Blanche in the Wasatach Mountains of Utah taken by C.R. Savage in the 1870s.

"East and West Shaking Hands"

Large-format print entitled "East and West Shaking Hands." The photograph features the two trains of the Union and Central Pacific lines meeting at Promontory Point with executives and crew members from both lines.

Hanging Rock - Echo City

Large-format photograph of man sitting underneath an overhanging rock ledge near Echo, Utah. From the book, Sun Pictures of Rocky Mountain Scenery. Photograph taken by A.J. Russell. Original caption is, "Hanging Rock - Echo City, Utah."

Laborers at West End Tunnel 4

Stereo-view of Union Pacific laborers on a railroad hand cart outside of West end of Tunnel #4. Image taken by photographer William Henry Jackson before he joined the Hayden Survey photographer and during the construction of the transcontinental…

Red Rock Pass

Albertype from a large-format photograph of Red Rock Pass in northern Cache Valley taken by William Henry Jackson while he was the Hayden Survey photographer. Original caption is "Plate III, Red Rock Pass."

Overland Stagecoach

Carte-de-visite image of an overland stage coach with drivers and stage station. Taken by Utah photograph C.W. Carter before the railroad was built. Original caption is, "Overland Stage."

Mormon Emigrant Train: Echo Canyon

Stereo-view of a Mormon wagon train in Echo Canyon. Taken by Utah photographer C.W. Carter before the railroad was built. Original caption is, "Mormon Emigrant Train: Echo Canyon."

Workmen near Devil's Gate Station

Stereo-view of Union Pacific Railroad workers fixing the railroad tracks. Taken by Salt Lake City Mormon photographer C.R. Savage in Weber Canyon near Devil's Gate Station. Original caption is, "View near Devil's Gate Station."

Shoshone Chiefs at Echo, Utah

Stereo-view of Shoshone men standing in front of tipis. According to A.J. Russell, he took this photo near Echo, Utah in June 1869. Original caption is, "Snake Chiefs."

Digging out a Union Pacific train stuck in a Snow Drift

Stereo-view of Union Pacific Railroad workers digging out a train engine stuck in a snow drift. Taken by Salt Lake City Mormon photographer C.R. Savage. Original caption is, "Digging out a Train from a Snow Drift."

Shoshone Woman with Baby

Cabinet card image of an unidentified Shoshoni woman standing with a baby in a baby cradle strapped to her back. Image taken in the Baker and Johnston studio in Evanston, Wyoming in the 1880s. Original caption is, "Shoshone Squaw carrying pappose."

Chief Washakie with Shoshone Chiefs

Cabinet card portrait of Shoshone Chief Washakie with six other Shoshone chiefs. Image taken by the Baker and Johnston studio in Evanston, Wyoming in the 1880s. Original caption is "Chief Washakie with Shoshone Chiefs."

Unidentified Arapahoe man wearing a belt with shell casings

Cabinet card portrait of unidentified Araphoe man wearing a belt with shell casings. Image taken by the Baker and Johnston studio in Evanston, Wyoming in the 1880s. Original caption is "Arapahoe."

"Oiti and Pappagoit" with Chief Washakie

Cabinet card image of Shoshone Chief Washakie and two other Shoshoni men (identified as "Oiti and Pappagoit") with Chief Washakie all on horses next to a stream. Image taken by the Baker and Johnston studio in Evanston, Wyoming in the 1880s.

Union Pacific Railroad Engine and Workmen

Stereoview of a Union Pacific engine and train with workmen taken near Green River, Wyoming. Taken by Salt Lake City Mormon photographer C.R. Savage. Original caption is "Rock Cut Green River."

Shoshone Chief Sagwitch and his Wife

Stereoview of Shoshone Chief Sagwitch and his wife Beawoachee, taken by Salt Lake City Mormon photographer C.R. Savage. Original caption is "Utah. Se-go-witts and his Bride, Ute Chief."

COLLECTIONS