The Pictures That Saved Yellowstone

Over a century ago, a stunning set of images of Yellowstone National Park introduced America to the beauty of its own backyard.

By Alex Palmer
Apr 19, 2023 9:20 PM
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Jupiter Terrace at Mammoth Hot Springs in 1871. (Credit: William Henry Jackson/National Park Service)

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This article was originally published on July 8, 2021.

Two centuries ago, the idea of preserving nature, rather than exploiting it, was a novel one to many U.S. settlers. One of the turning points in public support for land conservation efforts — and recognizing the magnificence of the Yellowstone region in particular — came in the form of vivid photographs. 

This year marks the 150th anniversary of a series of Yellowstone National Park photos by the renowned landscape photographer William Henry Jackson. He captured the first-ever shots of iconic landmarks such as the Tetons, Old Faithful and the Colorado Rockies.

Jackson snapped them on a late 19th-century expedition through the Yellowstone Basin that was conducted by the head of the U.S. Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories, Ferdinand V. Hayden. The team included a meteorologist, a zoologist, a mineralogist, and an agricultural statistician.   


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