  The photographs in this section of the booklet were selected from those taken by William Henry Jackson during Hayden’s second Yellowstone Expedition in 1872, and reproduced from U. S. Corps of Engineers negatives maintained by the National Archives. Jackson, considered one of the foremost photographers of the early West, was the first man to photograph and publish many of these scenes of the Yellowstone. Jackson’s own captions describe the photographs on the following pages. Photography in the field was an arduous affair one hundred years ago. On the Yellowstone Expedition, Jackson had to pack by mule both his large, cumbersome cameras and his darkroom—for exposed negatives had to be developed immediately. Hayden was well aware of the artistic and practical worth of Jackson’s photographs. A series of Jackson photos served to illustrate his report on the Yellowstone Country which sparked the interest of government officials and the Public. The two men continued their association for many years, covering many expeditions. Perhaps the most fitting testimonial of Jackson’s contributions to the 1871 Yellowstone Expedition was offered by a former Director of the National Park Service, who said:
Title page for “Photographs of the Yellowstone National Park, etc.” by W. H. Jackson. PHOTOGRAPHS DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. W. H. JACKSON, PHOTOGRAPHER. Washington: William H. Jackson and an assistant photographing in high places—Tetons. Camp of U. S. Geological Survey, Ogden, Utah. The camp is located on one of the remarkable lake-terraces which form an interesting feature of the scenery on the Salt Lake Basin. The Wasatch Mountains, in the background, are about five thousand feet above the camp, and nine thousand five hundred and thirty feet above sea level. Meeting of the U. S. Geological Survey in the Lower Firehole Basin. The two divisions of the Survey met at this locality on the same day, July 17, 1872, starting from this point several hundred miles distant from each other. The locality is near the source of the Madison River, and is within the limits of the National Park, Latitude 44° 34'6: Longitude 110° 55'15. Mt. Hayden, or the Great Teton. This picture represents one of the monarch peaks of the Rocky Mountains. It is visible on a clear day for a radius of one hundred and fifty miles in every direction, thus forming one of the most conspicuous landmarks in the West. It is probable that the only white men that ever reached its summit are Mr. James Stevenson and Hon. N. P. Langford. The elevation is thirteen thousand four hundred feet. It is seen by the traveler on the overland stage-road to Montana, from the Snake River Basin, far to the eastward, rearing its “Bald awful head” far above the limit of perpetual snow. Panoramic View of the Teton Range. This photo presents a panoramic view of the north portion of the Teton Range. The peaks in the distance are composed of massive granites, while the rocks in the foreground are limestones. For beauty as well as grandeur, no description can convey any adequate idea of it. Camp at the Mouth of Teton Canyon. This camp is in the Teton Canyon, and West of the Teton Range, just ten miles by Triangulation to the summit of the Grand Teton. The trees are all pines and firs. As the sun rises in the morning immediately back of the peaks, it invests them with remarkable beauty. The scenery along the Teton River is rugged and most attractive. It furnished some of the finest views taken on the Survey. Crater of the Architectural Geysers, Lower Basins. This picture represents one of the handsomest fountain springs in the Lower Basin. The entire mass of the water is at times most violently agitated, and is thrown up by a succession of impulses forty to sixty feet. The water overflows the borders, producing the wonderful ornamentation which is so clearly shown in the photograph. The peculiar coral-form masses of pearly silica are well brought out. The crater is about twenty-five feet in diameter, and the water when quiet has a temperature of about 180°. Upper Firehole Basin from the Crater of Old Faithful. Old Faithful derived its name from the regularity of its action, which occurs once in sixty-five minutes. When it is in operation it throws a column of water, by a succession of impulses six feet in diameter, to the height of one-hundred and sixty feet. The paroxysm continues about twelve minutes when the water sinks down in the crater, and all is quiet. The silicious deposits around the crater are marvels of beauty. The Madison River can be seen in the distance and also the geysers in operation. Hot Springs and Castle Geyser. The spring in the foreground is in all respects the most beautiful one in the National Park. The ornamental rim is nearly circular, being about twenty-two feet. The depth is unknown. When the rays of the sun fall nearly vertically on the almost unnaturally transparent waters, all the colors of the prism are produced. The temperature is about 180°. Just in the background is the Castle Geyser, which is so called from the form of its crater. It is really an old ruin. It seldom plays, but when in operation it is a terrific power, shaking the ground for a considerable distance. It continues with great force for one to two hours. Mammoth Hot Springs on Gardiner’s River. The peculiar character of the deposits is well shown in this picture. The larger hot springs are located on the terrace above, and, as the heated water flows over the declivity, the beautiful pool-like basins are formed from four to eight feet wide and two to four feet deep. As the water leaves the spring and flows over the sides of the mountain, it loses a portion of its heat, so that the bather may choose any temperature he may desire. These pools are sometimes called Diana’s Baths. The deposit is as white as snow. Mammoth Hot Springs, Lower Basin. The four succeeding pictures represent the calcareous group. There are two kinds of hot springs in the park, called siliceous and calcareous from the character of their deposits. A large amount of lime is held in solution in the hot water which is precipitated in wonderfully unique architectural forms on the steep sides of the mountains, as shown in the photograph. These springs are located in the valley of the Yellowstone, near the northern boundary of the park, and are named White Mountain Hot Springs on the map. At the present time they are most accessible by the way of Fort Ellis, Montana, and the Yellowstone Valley. Cap of Liberty Mammoth Hot Springs. This is a fine example of an extinct geyser or fountain spring. It doubtless operates much like one of our artificial fountains, throwing up a column of water several feet, by a succession of impulses, building up a cone by overlapping layers of lime, like the thatch on the roof. The cone is forty-two feet high and about twenty-five feet in diameter at its base. When the hydrostatic force begins to abate, the cone is gradually closed up at the summit, as is shown in the photograph. These dead springs or geysers are a common feature in the park, and are called, in the language of Iceland a “laug.” It is only a calcareous spring that can form so curious and lofty a cone as this. Lower Falls of the Yellowstone. A more distant view of the falls. The photograph however, conveys but a dim conception of the ruggedness of the surroundings. Lower Falls of the Yellowstone. About a fourth of a mile below the upper falls, the waters of the Yellowstone take a much more fearful leap, making a clear descent of three hundred and fifty feet. There is probably not a more beautiful sight in existence than the falls with the Grand Canyon below. The rocks are mostly volcanic. Sketch of horseman and pack animal. Tower Falls. These beautiful falls are located on a little branch of the Yellowstone, which flows in from the west side, near the lower end of the Grand Canyon. The descent of the water is about one hundred and fifty feet. The rocks are composed of a peculiar conglomerate, which has been weathered into most fantastic, pointed columns resembling the towers of a gothic cathedral. Hence the name. Panoramic View of the Valley of the Yellowstone. This group of three pictures from a panoramic view of what is regarded by visitors to that region as the most beautiful and symmetrical range of mountains in America. The summits of the peaks are covered with snow more or less the year round, and can be seen for eighty to one hundred miles in every direction. The Grand Canyon, One Mile Below the Falls. This picture is intended to convey to the eye some idea of the depth and remarkable ruggedness of the Canyon. To one standing on the margin of the Canyon, the Yellowstone River fades to a slender thread as it flows along the bottom of the chasm. Index map showing points referred to in the text. As the Nation’s principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has basic responsibilities for water, fish, wildlife, mineral, land, park, and recreational resources. Indian and Territorial affairs are other major concerns of America’s “Department of Natural Resources.” The Department works to assure the wisest choice in managing all our resources so each will make its full contribution to a better United States—now and in the future. U. S. Department of the Interior · March 3, 1889
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