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Exploring the West in the Golden Age of Photography: Overview

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Overview 

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"Hanging Rock Echo City." Large-format photograph by A. J. Russell. Courtesy of Merrill-Cazier Library.

In the 1860s and 1870s photography was the principal visual medium that people used to view the Western US, both literally and symbolically.

The West was considered an exotic and romantic place, and photographers there endured hardship and found adventure, competing for photographic “firsts.”

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"East and West Shaking Hands." Large-format photograph by A.J. Russell. Courtesy of Oakland Museum of California.
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"Photographing under Difficulties." Stereo-view by A.J. Russell. Courtesy of Oakland Museum of California.
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"Shoshone Woman with Baby." Cabinet card portrait by Charles S. Baker and William James Johnston. Courtesy of Merrill-Cazier Library.

“Exploring the West in the Golden Age of Photography” discusses American Western photography from roughly 1860 to 1880 and encourages educators to use historical photographs as primary sources in their instruction.

Historic photographs are enjoyable to look at for learners, but more importantly they provide an excellent tool for teaching about both the strengths and the limitations of primary sources.