In the late 1860s, photographer Andrew J. Russell traveled west to document the construction of the Union Pacific Railway in Wyoming and Utah, including the famous “golden spike” moment on May 10, 1869, when the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads were joined in Promontory, Utah, creating the nation’s first transcontinental railroad. Russell captured images of the railway construction as well as the wide-open landscape of the American West and its inhabitants. See also, a previous photo essay from Timothy O’Sullivan, covering similar territory at the time.
Scenes From the American West, 150 Years Ago
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Read moreOn the mountains of Green River, looking up the valley. From the book Photographs Taken During Construction of the Union Pacific Railroad: “The standpoint for this view is nearly two thousand feet above the railroad, which can be seen winding through the bottom lands three miles away. Farther off can be seen the dim outline of Green River City, Utah.” #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreA closer view of the previous photo, showing six onlookers on the bluff above the Green River. #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreEast and West shaking hands at laying last rail. The ceremony took place on May 10, 1869, marking the placement of the “golden spike” at Promontory Summit, Utah. #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreCloser detail from “East and West shaking hands at laying last rail”. #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreCastle Rock, Green River Valley. From the book: “A high cliff standing in an isolated position, commanding from its top an extensive view up and down the river. This rock is nearly three hundred feet in height and is a well-known landmark to the emigrants who have in former times passed this way.” #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreMormon Family, Great Salt Lake Valley. “The man is surrounded by his family of wives and children, enjoying the noonday rest.” #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreCloser detail from “Mormon Family, Great Salt Lake Valley.” #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreTemporary and permanent bridges of the Union Pacific Railroad in front of Citadel Rock on the Green River on Wyoming. #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreCoalville, Weber Valley, Utah. “Coalville is in the midst of the great coal fields of Utah. From this point the citizens of Salt Lake transport the principal part of their fuel.” #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreMembers of the Rocky Mountain Glee Club 1864-1869. #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreDetail of the above photo of the Rocky Mountain Glee Club. #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreVase or “Dial Rocks,” in Wyoming’s Laramie Basin. #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreOfficers of the Union Pacific Railroad at the laying of the last rail at Promontory Summit, Utah, in 1869. #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreA settlement among the mountains of the Green River. #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreCloser view of a settlement among the mountains of the Green River. #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreA recently completed rail trestle at Promontory, Utah. #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreHanging Rock, foot of Echo Canyon. “This mass of conglomerate rock overhangs its base nearly fifty feet and forms the foundation of a bluff nearly one thousand feet in height. It overlooks Echo City, Utah.” #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreBear River City, Utah, near the coal fields. “A town of nearly two thousand inhabitants, situated near the railroad on the banks of White Sulphur Creek, six miles from Evenston.” #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreLooking up Weber River, Echo City, Utah. “The river empties into Salt Lake, and has its rise in the Wasatch Mountains, flowing from thence through a beautiful valley until it is closed up by the gorge known as the Devil’s Gate, Weber Canyon.” #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreA train on an embankment in Granite Canyon, Utah. #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreCloser view of the wagons and men on the train in Granite Canon, Utah. #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreA windmill in Laramie, Wyoming. “These mills, used for raising water, are self-regulating, ingenious in construction, and durable.” #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreSnow sheds of the Central Pacific Railroad, with Donner Lake in the background, in California. #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreSkull Rock, Wyoming. “The name of this rock is derived from the peculiar formation of the boulders lying at its base. It is situated three miles south of the railroad, in the mining district of Dale Creek Canyon.” #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreDetail from Skull Rock photo above, showing men near boulders at the base. #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreU.S. Senator James Patterson (New Hampshire) and party on the Devil’s Gate Bridge. #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreA gathering of Shoshone Indians. #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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Read moreCloser view of the group of Shoshone, from above. #
Andrew J. Russell / Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library -
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