Wheeler’s Photographic Survey of the American West, 1871-1873

In May, 1871, Lieut, George M. Wheeler (U.S. Army Corp of Engineers) and a team of soldiers, scientists, mule skinners, packers, laborers, guides, and a photographer assembled at Fort Halleck, Nevada. Their mission: to explore the American Southwest for the purpose of obtaining “correct topographical Knowledge of… those portions of the United States Territory lying south of the Central Pacific Railroad.” Working only in late spring, summer and early fall, Wheeler’s expedition continued for several years, mapping and photographing vast areas of present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. This truly important collection presents fifty historic photographs – with the original captions – reproduced from a rare album of albumen prints which accompanied the publication of Wheeler’s survey.