Clarence King and the 40th Parallel Survey
By James G. Moore, Geologist
Where can I find historical photographs from the Great Surveys of the American West?
A number of images from the "Great Surveys of the American West" can be downloaded through the online USGS Photographic Library.
Before the USGS was established by Congress as a part of the Department of Interior, four surveys of the western United States took place between 1867 and 1879. Surveys led by Ferdinand Hayden and John Wesley Powell were sponsored by the Interior Department, and Surveys led by Clarence King and Lt. George M. Wheeler were sponsored by the War Department.
A convenient way to find images from the surveys is to search on the names of the photographers. You can also search on terms like "Wheeler Survey" and "King Survey".
The 1867 King Survey
- Known as the "U.S. Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel"
- Led by Clarence King (later the first Director of the USGS)
- Photographers: Timothy O'Sullivan (who was also part of the Wheeler Survey) and C. E. Watkins.
The 1867 Hayden Survey
- Known as the "U.S. Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories"
- Led by Ferdinand Vandeveer Hayden
- Photographer: William Henry Jackson.
The 1872 Wheeler Survey
- Known as the "U.S. Geographical Surveys West of the One Hundredth Meridian"
- Led by George Montague Wheeler
- Photographer: Timothy O'Sullivan (who was also part of the King Survey).
The 1869 Powell Survey
- Known as the "U.S. Geographical and Geological Survey of the Rocky Mountain Region"
- Led by John Wesley Powell (later the second Director of the USGS)
- Photographers: J. K. Hillers and E. O. Beaman
Photographs from these expeditions are also available through the Library of Congress.
Related
Why does the USGS use the spelling "gage" instead of "gauge"?
The spelling of “gage” is part of our very rich USGS history. We have used that spelling for over a hundred years. In 1888, USGS Director John Wesley Powell met a very forward-thinking graduate student named Frederick Haynes Newell. Powell was so impressed that he made Newell the first full-time appointee to the new Irrigation Survey, which was created to investigate the potential for dams and...
Does the Geographic Names Information System database contain entries for obsolete names and geographic features that no longer exist?
Yes, the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) includes features that no longer exist and names that are no longer used. If a feature no longer exists on the landscape, or the name has fallen out of use, the entry is marked “historical”. The designation “historical” has no reference to age, size, condition, extent of habitation, type of use, or any other factor. Examples of historical...
How can I find USGS historical photographs?
The USGS Photographic Library, located at our library in Denver, Colorado , is an archive of still photographs dating from the 1870s and taken by USGS scientists as part of their field studies. The works of pioneer photographers W.H. Jackson, T.H. O’Sullivan, Carleton Watkins, J.K. Hillers, Thomas Moran, A.J. Russell, E.O. Beaman, and William Bell are represented in the collection. Topics include...
How can I find publications of the USGS?
The USGS Publications Warehouse is an online catalog for searching all USGS publications and downloading free digital versions. USGS Libraries contain sets of all USGS publications plus many state geological survey publications. The public go in person to any USGS library to do research, but USGS library materials can only be borrowed by placing a request with your local library for Interlibrary...
How can I find out-of-print USGS publications?
Out-of-print USGS publications and maps, depending on series and date, can be obtained in various ways: Check the USGS Publications Warehouse for online availability. If the publication is listed but does not have a link to a digital version, contact the Publications Warehouse Team to request a digital copy. Borrow from your local public, academic, or corporate library through a request for...
PubTalk 3/2004 — Mapping the American West
Clarence King and the 40th Parallel Survey
By James G. Moore, Geologist
Hayden Survey 1870 Wyoming in camp at Red Buttes
U.S. Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories (Hayden Survey). Group of all the members of the Survey, made while in camp at Red Buttes at the junction of the North Platte and Sweetwater Rivers. Natrona County, Wyoming, 1870. Standing left to right: John "Potato John" Raymond and "Val," cooks; Sanford R. Gifford, landscape painter; Henry W.
U.S. Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories (Hayden Survey). Group of all the members of the Survey, made while in camp at Red Buttes at the junction of the North Platte and Sweetwater Rivers. Natrona County, Wyoming, 1870. Standing left to right: John "Potato John" Raymond and "Val," cooks; Sanford R. Gifford, landscape painter; Henry W.
Ferdinand V. Hayden, 1870
Portrait of Ferdinand V. Hayden, about the time of his directorship of the Geological Survey of the Territories. c. 1870. The Hayden Survey was a predecessor to the USGS.
Portrait of Ferdinand V. Hayden, about the time of his directorship of the Geological Survey of the Territories. c. 1870. The Hayden Survey was a predecessor to the USGS.
Camp scene. United States Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Paral
Camp scene. United States Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel (King Survey). Plate 80: Camp scene. n.d.
(Photo by T.H. O'Sullivan.)
Camp scene. United States Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel (King Survey). Plate 80: Camp scene. n.d.
(Photo by T.H. O'Sullivan.)
Clarence King in camp, Salt Lake City, Utah
Clarence King in camp, Salt Lake City, Utah. United StatesGeological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel (King Survey). 1868. Plate 96: Clarence King in camp, near Salt Lake City, Utah. October 1868.
(Photo by T.H. O'Sullivan.)
Clarence King in camp, Salt Lake City, Utah. United StatesGeological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel (King Survey). 1868. Plate 96: Clarence King in camp, near Salt Lake City, Utah. October 1868.
(Photo by T.H. O'Sullivan.)
Related
Why does the USGS use the spelling "gage" instead of "gauge"?
The spelling of “gage” is part of our very rich USGS history. We have used that spelling for over a hundred years. In 1888, USGS Director John Wesley Powell met a very forward-thinking graduate student named Frederick Haynes Newell. Powell was so impressed that he made Newell the first full-time appointee to the new Irrigation Survey, which was created to investigate the potential for dams and...
Does the Geographic Names Information System database contain entries for obsolete names and geographic features that no longer exist?
Yes, the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) includes features that no longer exist and names that are no longer used. If a feature no longer exists on the landscape, or the name has fallen out of use, the entry is marked “historical”. The designation “historical” has no reference to age, size, condition, extent of habitation, type of use, or any other factor. Examples of historical...
How can I find USGS historical photographs?
The USGS Photographic Library, located at our library in Denver, Colorado , is an archive of still photographs dating from the 1870s and taken by USGS scientists as part of their field studies. The works of pioneer photographers W.H. Jackson, T.H. O’Sullivan, Carleton Watkins, J.K. Hillers, Thomas Moran, A.J. Russell, E.O. Beaman, and William Bell are represented in the collection. Topics include...
How can I find publications of the USGS?
The USGS Publications Warehouse is an online catalog for searching all USGS publications and downloading free digital versions. USGS Libraries contain sets of all USGS publications plus many state geological survey publications. The public go in person to any USGS library to do research, but USGS library materials can only be borrowed by placing a request with your local library for Interlibrary...
How can I find out-of-print USGS publications?
Out-of-print USGS publications and maps, depending on series and date, can be obtained in various ways: Check the USGS Publications Warehouse for online availability. If the publication is listed but does not have a link to a digital version, contact the Publications Warehouse Team to request a digital copy. Borrow from your local public, academic, or corporate library through a request for...
PubTalk 3/2004 — Mapping the American West
Clarence King and the 40th Parallel Survey
By James G. Moore, Geologist
Clarence King and the 40th Parallel Survey
By James G. Moore, Geologist
Hayden Survey 1870 Wyoming in camp at Red Buttes
U.S. Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories (Hayden Survey). Group of all the members of the Survey, made while in camp at Red Buttes at the junction of the North Platte and Sweetwater Rivers. Natrona County, Wyoming, 1870. Standing left to right: John "Potato John" Raymond and "Val," cooks; Sanford R. Gifford, landscape painter; Henry W.
U.S. Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories (Hayden Survey). Group of all the members of the Survey, made while in camp at Red Buttes at the junction of the North Platte and Sweetwater Rivers. Natrona County, Wyoming, 1870. Standing left to right: John "Potato John" Raymond and "Val," cooks; Sanford R. Gifford, landscape painter; Henry W.
Ferdinand V. Hayden, 1870
Portrait of Ferdinand V. Hayden, about the time of his directorship of the Geological Survey of the Territories. c. 1870. The Hayden Survey was a predecessor to the USGS.
Portrait of Ferdinand V. Hayden, about the time of his directorship of the Geological Survey of the Territories. c. 1870. The Hayden Survey was a predecessor to the USGS.
Camp scene. United States Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Paral
Camp scene. United States Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel (King Survey). Plate 80: Camp scene. n.d.
(Photo by T.H. O'Sullivan.)
Camp scene. United States Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel (King Survey). Plate 80: Camp scene. n.d.
(Photo by T.H. O'Sullivan.)
Clarence King in camp, Salt Lake City, Utah
Clarence King in camp, Salt Lake City, Utah. United StatesGeological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel (King Survey). 1868. Plate 96: Clarence King in camp, near Salt Lake City, Utah. October 1868.
(Photo by T.H. O'Sullivan.)
Clarence King in camp, Salt Lake City, Utah. United StatesGeological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel (King Survey). 1868. Plate 96: Clarence King in camp, near Salt Lake City, Utah. October 1868.
(Photo by T.H. O'Sullivan.)
Updated Date: September 12, 2024