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.
- On 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
- East 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
- Castle 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
- Coalville, 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
- Hanging 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
- Bear 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
- Looking 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
- Skull 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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