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)
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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.
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