Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Russell, Andrew J. (1830-1902) Union Pacific Railroad. Photographical. Illustrations.

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04348 Author/Creator: Russell, Andrew J. (1830-1902) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Photograph album Date: April 1869 Pagination: 1 v. : 58 p. , 50 p. of plates ; 34.6 x 49.5 cm. Order a Copy

One photograph album entitled, "Union Pacific Railroad. Photographical. Illustrations," taken by Andrew J. Russell dated April 1869. Consists of 50 albumen photographs of views along the route of the Union Pacific Railroad from Omaha, Nebraska to Sacrament, California. Contains an annotated table of contents, giving a brief description of each view; its peculiarities, characteristics, and connection with the different points on the road." Published by Authority of the Union Pacific Railroad Company.

In 1868, the Union Pacific Railroad hired Andrew J. Russell to photograph the construction of its track line, which extended from Laramie, Wyoming, to Promontory Summit, Utah. In three trips along the line, one in 1868 and two in 1869, Russell produced a series of classic views of railroad beds, massive rock formations, locomotives, mountains, river valleys, and emergent towns. His photographs capture the intersection between the rugged natural beauty of the West and man's increasing technological influence over the landscape.

Russell, Andrew J., 1829-1902

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources