One of the strengths of the Library's holdings is 19th century photographs documenting the American West. Contemporary photographer Mark Ruwedel revisited the site of Andrew J. Russell's 1868 view of the Union Pacific Bridge and used the same vantage point that Russell selected more than 100 years earlier. Surprisingly, the landscape shows little change. The railroad draws the eye into the photograph, while the immutable Citadel Rock dominates the background of both views. The addition of houses and telephone poles place Ruwedel's image in modern times.
Andrew J. Russell, Citadel Rock, Green River
Valley, 1868.
Albumen print.
Illustration in Sun pictures of Rocky Mountain scenery, 1870.
<http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ppmsca.03147>
Mark Ruwedel, Union Pacific [bridge at Green River, Wyoming], after Russell, 1996
Gelatin silver print
Gift of the artist.
<http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ppmsca.03145>
Library of Congress