Cañon de Chelle

Timothy O'Sullivan (1840-1882)
Cañon de Chelle. Walls of the
Grand Cañon about 1200 Feet
in Height, 1873
Prints & Photographs Division
Department of War, Corps of
Engineers transfer (114.9)

From 1871 to 1879, Lt. George Wheeler headed the U.S. Geological Survey West of the 100th Meridian, which collected scientific data about the physical and cultural geography of much of the southwestern U.S., including topography, mineral resources, Indian nations, and other intelligence valuable for settlement and exploration. This image was taken by survey photographer Timothy O'Sullivan, who had worked for Mathew Brady during the Civil War, and a small group traveled thirty-five miles across a dry, desert plateau, descended into this fertile canyon in Arizona. Their campsite is visible in the foreground.