“Overland Stage.” Carte-de-visite by C. W. Carter. Courtesy of Merrill-Cazier Library.

Charles William Carter grew up in England and, after converting to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, immigrated to the United States.

Carter and his wife Sarah reached Salt Lake City in 1864, where he continued his photographic practice begun in England. Carter initially worked for C. R. Savage before starting his own studio in 1867.

He took some of the earliest known images along the route of the transcontinental railroad. Carter was active in Utah, documenting the growth of Salt Lake City (including the construction of the Salt Lake City Temple).