There’s nothing like a dose of nostalgia in the morning. Ancient photographs, from the very earliest days of the technology’s use, can often act as portals into times we find hard to properly imagine.
We all know stories and movies about the old West, America’s semi-lawless lands of prospecting and exploration, but it’s fair to say that these works of fiction can only do so much to paint a picture of what life was like. Luckily, there are hordes of photos out there, showing the idiosyncrasies of real life back then.
We’ve gathered some of our favourites right here for your browsing pleasure - enjoy!
Natural Beauty
This photograph shows a natural vista in what is now Idaho. An interesting view of the past through the medium of photography.
This photograph shows a natural vista in what is now Idaho, and it really is stunning - it might take you a little while to even notice the human figures checking it out for themselves in the foreground.
This photo shows one of many geological surveys on a break for lunch as they travelled the land.
This photo shows one of many geological surveys on a break for lunch as they travelled the land, and the ragtag nature of the bunch looks like something straight out of an adventure novel.
This is what you’d call a proper convoy, with dozens of horses and riders walking along the edge of this river near Yellowstone.
This is what you’d call a proper convoy, with dozens of horses and riders walking along the edge of this river near Yellowstone, an apparently typical portrayal of how people travelled.
Means of travel
This riverboat, pictured in 1878, is the Rosebud, which travelled up and down the Missouri river, taking people with it.
Moving people
Here we see a big column of cavalry and weapons under General George’s Custer’s command. .And, yes, he is indeed that Custer.
Even with the coming of the railway, most big groups moved in the traditional way, as evidenced by this column of cavalry and weapons under General George’s Custer’s command. And, yes, he is indeedthatCuster.
Changing times
This images shows directors from the Union Pacific Railroad company on the 100th meridian, far west of Omaha, before a ride to celebrate the railway’s opening.
This images shows directors from the Union Pacific Railroad company on the 100th meridian, far west of Omaha, before a ride to celebrate the railway’s opening. It’s a great portrait of how times were moving quickly as technology advanced.
For contrast
Meanwhile, elsewhere travel was still entirely rudimentary, relying on ramshackle bridges and infrastructure like this one.
Meanwhile, elsewhere travel was still entirely rudimentary, relying on ramshackle bridges and infrastructure like this one, pictured at Beaver Head River five years after the last image.
An old-school coach
This stagecoach is an example of the sort used by express delivery companies in this time period - complete with the armed guards riding atop the carriage.
Challenging terrain
Some places still need proper rugged explorers to chart them - such as this expedition up the now-famous Pike’s Peak.
While the trains and boats were speeding up supply links all over the US, some places still need proper rugged explorers to chart them - such as this expedition up the now-famous Pike’s Peak, which looks a lot like hard work to us.
Some assembly required
When you see a stagecoach, through modern eyes, it’s easy to forget that they didn’t just pop out of some factory ready-made for most people.
When you see a stagecoach, through modern eyes, it’s easy to forget that they didn’t just pop out of some factory ready-made for most people. This deconstructed version reminds us that they needed maintenance and, often, assembly.
