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Westward Expansion Collection (#3)

"Westward Expansion: Pioneers, Outlaws, and Progress" In the vast canvas of American history

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: The Union Pacific Locomotive No. 119 that pulled the special train to the

The Union Pacific Locomotive No. 119 that pulled the special train to the
PNP246766 The Union Pacific Locomotive No.119 that pulled the special train to the Golden Spike ceremony at Promontory Summit, Utah on 10th May 1869 (b/w photo) by American Photographer

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Charles Crocker (1822-88) and his Chinese workforce constructing the Central Pacific

Charles Crocker (1822-88) and his Chinese workforce constructing the Central Pacific
PNP246764 Charles Crocker (1822-88) and his Chinese workforce constructing the Central Pacific Railroad, completed 1869 (colour litho) by American School

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Track-layers gang-building the Union Pacific Railroad through American wilderness

Track-layers gang-building the Union Pacific Railroad through American wilderness
PNP246755 Track-layers gang-building the Union Pacific Railroad through American wilderness, 1860s (b/w photo) by American Photographer

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: The Union Pacific Railroad depot at La Grande, Oregon, c. 1870 (b / w photo)

The Union Pacific Railroad depot at La Grande, Oregon, c. 1870 (b / w photo)
PNP246732 The Union Pacific Railroad depot at La Grande, Oregon, c.1870 (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark American Pictures; American

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Chicago and Alton Rail Road poster, c. 1885 (colour litho)

Chicago and Alton Rail Road poster, c. 1885 (colour litho)
PNP246656 Chicago and Alton Rail Road poster, c.1885 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Illinois Central Railroad, c. 1886 (colour litho)

Illinois Central Railroad, c. 1886 (colour litho)
PNP246652 Illinois Central Railroad, c.1886 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark American Pictures; American, out of copyright

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Train poster for the Southern and Western Route, 1854 (litho)

Train poster for the Southern and Western Route, 1854 (litho)
PNP246641 Train poster for the Southern and Western Route, 1854 (litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark American Pictures; American, out of copyright

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Off For California, 1849 (litho)

Off For California, 1849 (litho)
1078593 Off For California, 1849 (litho) by Manning (19th century); Collection of the New-York Historical Society, USA; eNew York Historical Society; American, out of copyright

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Hydraulic mining, Rockerville, 1889 (b / w photo)

Hydraulic mining, Rockerville, 1889 (b / w photo)
5042937 Hydraulic mining, Rockerville, 1889 (b/w photo) by Grabill, John C. H. (fl. late 19th century); Private Collection; American, out of copyright

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Homes for the Industrious (litho)

Homes for the Industrious (litho)
PNP464798 Homes for the Industrious (litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: in the Garden State of the West ; ); Peter Newark Pictures; American, out of copyright

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Daniel Boone escorting settlers through the Cumberland Gap, 1851-52 (oil on canvas)

Daniel Boone escorting settlers through the Cumberland Gap, 1851-52 (oil on canvas)
PHD29102 Daniel Boone escorting settlers through the Cumberland Gap, 1851-52 (oil on canvas) by Bingham, George Caleb (1811-79); Washington University, St

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Completion of the Great Northern Railroad, 6th January 1893 (b / w photo)

Completion of the Great Northern Railroad, 6th January 1893 (b / w photo)
PNP246915 Completion of the Great Northern Railroad, 6th January 1893 (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Cheyenne Indians attack workers on the Union Pacific Railroad near Fossil Creek in Kansas

Cheyenne Indians attack workers on the Union Pacific Railroad near Fossil Creek in Kansas
PNP246748 Cheyenne Indians attack workers on the Union Pacific Railroad near Fossil Creek in Kansas, 28th May 1869 (colour litho) by Gogolin

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Pony Express Rider in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, 1862 (litho)

Pony Express Rider in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, 1862 (litho)
PNP246603 Pony Express Rider in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, 1862 (litho) by Hilton, W.H. (fl.1862); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Homesteaders rushing into the Cherokee Strip, 16th September 1893 (b / w photo)

Homesteaders rushing into the Cherokee Strip, 16th September 1893 (b / w photo)
PNP246289 Homesteaders rushing into the Cherokee Strip, 16th September 1893 (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Land sale poster, 1875 (print)

Land sale poster, 1875 (print)
PNP246286 Land sale poster, 1875 (print) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The best prairie lands in Iowa)

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Westward the Course of Empire Takes its Way, 1861 (colour litho)

Westward the Course of Empire Takes its Way, 1861 (colour litho)
PNP246210 Westward the Course of Empire Takes its Way, 1861 (colour litho) by Leutze, Emanuel Gottlieb (1816-68); Private Collection; (add.info.: Litho of the mural in the House of Representatives)

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Covered wagons heading west (oil on canvas)

Covered wagons heading west (oil on canvas)
PNP246207 Covered wagons heading west (oil on canvas) by Wyeth, Newell Convers (1882-1945); Private Collection; Peter Newark American Pictures; American, out of copyright

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Advert for Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, 1876 (litho)

Advert for Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, 1876 (litho)
PNP246929 Advert for Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, 1876 (litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Railroad Construction Crew, 1886 (b / w photo)

Railroad Construction Crew, 1886 (b / w photo)
PNP246917 Railroad Construction Crew, 1886 (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark American Pictures; American, out of copyright

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Train Passengers shooting Buffalo for sport, c. 1870 (colour litho)

Train Passengers shooting Buffalo for sport, c. 1870 (colour litho)
PNP246679 Train Passengers shooting Buffalo for sport, c.1870 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark American Pictures; American, out of copyright

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Cheap emigrant ticket to San Francisco, 1876 (litho)

Cheap emigrant ticket to San Francisco, 1876 (litho)
PNP246638 Cheap emigrant ticket to San Francisco, 1876 (litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark American Pictures; American, out of copyright

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: The Pioneer, 1852 (b / w photo)

The Pioneer, 1852 (b / w photo)
PNP246636 The Pioneer, 1852 (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: first locomotive used in California; ); Peter Newark American Pictures; American

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Emigrants crossing the Plains, 1866 (colour litho)

Emigrants crossing the Plains, 1866 (colour litho)
PNP246211 Emigrants crossing the Plains, 1866 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark American Pictures; American, out of copyright

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: The Whitman Mission in 1845 (colour litho)

The Whitman Mission in 1845 (colour litho)
PNP268164 The Whitman Mission in 1845 (colour litho) by Jackson, William Henry (1843-1942); Private Collection; (add.info.: in Oregon Country)

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Cog wheel train on Summit of Pikes Peak, Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway, c

Cog wheel train on Summit of Pikes Peak, Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway, c
5052502 Cog wheel train on Summit of Pikes Peak, Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway, c.1901 (b/w photo) by Jackson, William Henry (1843-1942); Private Collection; American, out of copyright

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Mose, Lize, and Little Mose Going to California, 1849 (colour litho)

Mose, Lize, and Little Mose Going to California, 1849 (colour litho)
1078594 Mose, Lize, and Little Mose Going to California, 1849 (colour litho) by Magee, John L. (b. c.1820); Collection of the New-York Historical Society, USA; (add.info.: By the overland Route)

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: The Last of the Race, 1847 (oil on canvas)

The Last of the Race, 1847 (oil on canvas)
1079373 The Last of the Race, 1847 (oil on canvas) by Matteson, Tompkins Harrison (1813-84); 101x127 A cm; Collection of the New-York Historical Society

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Union Pacific

Union Pacific
The original wooden viaduct at Dale Creek, Wyoming, built for the Union Pacific railroad. It was later replaced by a steel construction before the route was abandoned altogether

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Merced River, Yosemite Valley, 1866 (oil on canvas)

Merced River, Yosemite Valley, 1866 (oil on canvas)
3469065 Merced River, Yosemite Valley, 1866 (oil on canvas) by Bierstadt, Albert (1830-1902); 91.4x127 cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA; American, out of copyright

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Nevada Falls, Yosemite, 1872 or 1873 (oil on canvas)

Nevada Falls, Yosemite, 1872 or 1873 (oil on canvas)
3469063 Nevada Falls, Yosemite, 1872 or 1873 (oil on canvas) by Bierstadt, Albert (1830-1902); 99.1u76.2 cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA; American, out of copyright

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Railroad Through to the Pacific, pub. 1870, Currier & Ives (Colour Lithograph)

Railroad Through to the Pacific, pub. 1870, Currier & Ives (Colour Lithograph)

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: The Westward Expansion, 1869

The Westward Expansion, 1869. Private Collection

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny
American progress. Manifest Destiny'. Allegorical female figure of America leading pioneers and railroads westward. c.1850

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: MAP: LOS ANGELES, 1800s. Important historical events which have made Los Angeles

MAP: LOS ANGELES, 1800s. Important historical events which have made Los Angeles growth possible. Lithograph, c1929

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: GAST: AMERICAN PROGRESS. American Progress. An allegorical respresentation of Manifest Destiny

GAST: AMERICAN PROGRESS. American Progress. An allegorical respresentation of Manifest Destiny. Chromolithograph after the painting by John Gast, c1873

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: SUMNER AND BROOKS, 1856. Congressman Preston S

SUMNER AND BROOKS, 1856. Congressman Preston S. Brooks attacks Charles Sumner on the floor of the Senate chamber, 22 May 1856. Contemporary American cartoon

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: CARTOON: MEXICAN WAR, 1847. Plucked. An American cartoon on the outcome of the war with Mexico

CARTOON: MEXICAN WAR, 1847. Plucked. An American cartoon on the outcome of the war with Mexico. Cartoon, 1847

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: KANSAS: DODGE CITY, 1878. Front Street in Dodge City, Kansas. Photograph, 1878

KANSAS: DODGE CITY, 1878. Front Street in Dodge City, Kansas. Photograph, 1878

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: NEBRASKA: SETTLERS, 1892. A homesteader family in front of their sod house dugout

NEBRASKA: SETTLERS, 1892. A homesteader family in front of their sod house dugout on the South Loup River, Custer County, Nebraska. Photograph by Solomon D. Butcher, 1892

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: Interstate Commerce Act. Cartoon by W. A

Interstate Commerce Act. Cartoon by W. A
INTERSTATE COMMERCE ACT. Cartoon by W.A. Rogers, 1887, on the passage of the congressional act creating the Interstate Commerce Commission

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: RUSSELL: BULL WHACKER. Drawing by Charles M. Russell (1864-1926)

RUSSELL: BULL WHACKER. Drawing by Charles M. Russell (1864-1926)

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: KANSAS-NEBRASKA MAP, 1854. Detail of a map of the United States showing the Kansas

KANSAS-NEBRASKA MAP, 1854. Detail of a map of the United States showing the Kansas and Nebraska territories as they appeared following passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: American frontiersman. Congressional candidate Crockett making a stump speech in Tennessee

American frontiersman. Congressional candidate Crockett making a stump speech in Tennessee. Line drawing, 19th century
DAVY CROCKETT (1786-1836). American frontiersman. Congressional candidate Crockett making a stump speech in Tennessee. Line drawing, 19th century

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: TEXAS: THE ALAMO, 1836. The storming of the Alamo at San Antonio, Texas

TEXAS: THE ALAMO, 1836. The storming of the Alamo at San Antonio, Texas, 23 February 1836 by General Santa Anna and his troops. American engraving, 19th century

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: CARTOON: MEXICAN WAR, 1846. Volunteers for Texas. An 1846 American cartoon deriding sentiment for

CARTOON: MEXICAN WAR, 1846. Volunteers for Texas. An 1846 American cartoon deriding sentiment for the war with Mexico

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: PROMONTORY POINT, 1869. Contemporary cartoon commemorating the joining of the Central Pacific

PROMONTORY POINT, 1869. Contemporary cartoon commemorating the joining of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads

Background imageWestward Expansion Collection: NEW JERUSALEM CARTOON. Their New Jerusalem : cartoon by Hamilton from Judge magazine

NEW JERUSALEM CARTOON. Their New Jerusalem : cartoon by Hamilton from Judge magazine, 23 January 1892, calling New York the new Jerusalem with the tremendous influx of Jewish immigrants from Russia;




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"Westward Expansion: Pioneers, Outlaws, and Progress" In the vast canvas of American history, Westward Expansion stands as a defining chapter that shaped the nation's destiny. From sea to shining sea, this extraordinary period witnessed the relentless march of progress and exploration across untamed lands. The iconic painting "American Progress" by John Gast captures the spirit of this era with its depiction of a majestic figure leading settlers towards new horizons. Amidst this grand narrative emerged legendary figures who became synonymous with the Wild West. Billy the Kid, portrayed in an oil over photograph artwork, epitomized the daring desperadoes who roamed these lawless territories. Holding his Model Winchester 73 rifle with steely determination, he embodied both fear and fascination. The expansion was not without its challenges; it required immense infrastructure development like St. Louis' freight yard near a grain storage facility depicted in a twilight view photograph from 1974. This bustling hub served as a lifeline for trade and transportation during those transformative times. Nebraska's Chrisman Sisters symbolize another facet - brave settlers seeking fortunes on unfamiliar soil. Their humble sod house in Goheen Valley serves as a testament to their resilience amidst harsh conditions. The journey west wasn't limited to land alone; rivers played an integral role too. A pioneer flatboat gracefully gliding along Ohio River waters in an engraving from 1845 showcases how waterways facilitated movement and commerce during this period. As wagon trains traversed plains under boundless skies, dreams were realized through sheer determination and perseverance. These pioneers embarked on arduous journeys captured vividly in images such as "Wagon Trail, " reminding us of their indomitable spirit that forged paths into uncharted territories. One cannot discuss Westward Expansion without acknowledging pivotal events like Louisiana Purchase which doubled America's size overnight while opening doors to prosperity unseen before.