frontier and pioneer life

Plan of the city of New York, in North America: surveyed in the years ...

Cartouche showing allegorical scene with an English trader standing on the shore among barrels and bundles of merchandise and a Native wearing feathered headdress and skirt standing among barrels. Illus. in: T... More

A map of the inhabited part of Canada ... with the frontiers of New Yo...

Cartouche showing Englishmen trading with Natives in a wilderness setting. Illus. in: The North American atlas, selected from the most authentic maps, charts, plans, &c. hitherto published / by Wm. Faden. Lond... More

Narrative of Events and Observations That Occurred during a Journey th...

Public domain scan of a manuscript, American revolution history, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Henry Timmerman and his wife Elizabeth to James Ludlow for tracts of l...

Proofs of the corruption of Gen. James Wilkinson and of his connection...

Picryl description: Public domain historic political document page scan, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.

The Colonel electioneering. How to get a vote, or going fixed for the ...

Print shows a man at center, assumed to be Davy Crockett, standing on a busy commercial street, offering one man a drink and another man tobacco, while campaigning for political office. Two dogs have stopped to... More

Daniel Boon [sic] from a picture by J.W. Berry painted for James Hall ...

Print shows Daniel Boone, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing left, wearing coat with fur collar, with handle of knife showing on the right. May have been painted by James W. Berry, 1805-1877. (DLC/PP-1998:151... More

Bellvue. Mr. Dougherty's agency on the Missouri / Ch. Bodmer pinx ad ...

Illustration shows buildings, paddocks, settlers, ox cart and Indians at Bellvue, Major John Dougherty's trading post on the Missouri River. Title also in French and German. Illus. in: Voyage dans l'intérieur ... More

Three - Print, Library of Congress collection

Print shows many bank note vignettes depicting male and female figures as allegorical images representing commerce, industy, and the arts, also ships and ship building, farm and pioneer life, portraits, and num... More

Massacre of Baldwin's family by the savages!

Public domain photograph related to Native Americans, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Daniel Boone - Public domain portrait engraving

Portrait, bust 3/4 facing left. Engraving by J.B. Longacre after painting by C. Harding. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Copyright by J.B. Longacre.

The hunter of Kentucky - coin, public domain photograph

Henry Clay is the hunter, and various Democrats his quarry. Clay wears a fringed buckskin outfit and coonskin cap reminiscent of Davy Crockett and the Western characters of the contemporary stage, such as Nimro... More

Vue de la Riviere et l'Isle de Courou dans la Guyane francoise, ou deb...

Print shows activity along a shoreline of a river in Kourou, French Guiana. Printed at head of title in reverse: L'Isle de Courou. Printed at top right: 39. Printed at bottom left: A Paris chez Basset ru[e S.]... More

Gunpowder for sale here / Oliver J. Stuart, N.Y.

Broadsheet advertisement for the Laflin Powder Company, Saugerties, New York, manufacturers of gunpowder, with "Offices [at] 29 Water St. cor. of Olive St. St. Louis Mo. and 79 South Water St. Chicago, Ill." sh... More

Daniel Boone & his friends rescuing his daughter Jemina

Rio San Pedro - second crossing of Devil's Rivers J.D.S

Print shows a bird's-eye view of the Devil's River valley with a military camp in the middle ground on the left, with the river visible in the background, and with mountains on the right and beyond the river. A... More

Bald, Cousland & Co. bank note engravers & printers, New York & Philad...

Print shows 13 vignettes depicting country scenes from animal husbandry to harvesting to building temporary shelters on the frontier. Publication date based on latest copyright statement on item. Several of th... More

An emigrant train attacked by hostile Indians on the prairie / Champne...

Illustration shows an emigrant wagon train being attacked by Natives while traveling across the Great Plains. Illus. in: Ballou's pictorial drawing-room companion, v. 13, no. 7 (1857 August 15), pp. 104-105. A... More

Fort Shepherd, Columbia River no. 2

Photograph shows exterior view of two buildings at the Hudson Bay Co. post at Fort Shepherd, British Columbia. Right half of panorama. In: Photographs of British Northwest Boundary Survey, 1858-1861.

Bartlemy's house, Esquimalt Harbor

Photograph shows an exterior view of a house with two people standing near the entrance, near the harbor, Esquimalt, British Columbia. In: Photographs of British Northwest Boundary Survey, 1858-1861.

Transatlantic sketches--the Mississippi River

Wood engravings showing three views of the Mississippi River, captioned: 1. Down the lower Mississippi--from the Baton Rouge; 2. Voyageurs ascending the lower Mississippi; 3. Woodchopper's hut, lower Mississippi.

Fort Shepherd, no. 1 - Public domain albumen print photogrpaph

Photograph shows exterior view of the Hudson Bay Co. post at Fort Shepherd, British Columbia.

[Community adjacent to the fur trading post at Fort Victoria on Vancou...

The albumen silver print is a photographic printing process that was widely used in the 19th century. It involves coating paper support with a mixture of egg whites and salt, which creates a glossy surface to h... More

[Community adjacent to the fur trading post at Fort Victoria on Vancou...

No. 1 of a six-part panorama of Victoria. In: Photographs of British Northwest Boundary Survey, 1858-1861.

[Community adjacent to the fur trading post at Fort Victoria on Vancou...

No. 4 of a six-part panorama of Victoria. In: Photographs of British Northwest Boundary Survey, 1858-1861.

[Community adjacent to the fur trading post at Fort Victoria on Vancou...

No. 6 of a six-part panorama of Victoria. In: Photographs of British Northwest Boundary Survey, 1858-1861.

[Community adjacent to the fur trading post at Fort Victoria on Vancou...

No. 5 of a six-part panorama of Victoria. In: Photographs of British Northwest Boundary Survey, 1858-1861.

The pioneer - Drawing. Public domain image.

Title from handwritten notation on mat. No publication information. Sketch of rifles (?) on verso; not on digital file. (DLC/PP-1936:0065.23). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress).

[Landscape view showing house on stream with falls in foreground]

On verso: Geo. M. Bretz, Artist, Newville, Cumberland Co., Penn'a. - Negative preserved. In album: [U.S. army officers and other persons of the Civil War period / John White Geary, comp. 1861-1865], no. 138, su... More

[Father Fenwick's discovering of the first Catholics in Ohio]

Photograph of a painting(?) shows a priest, Father Fenwick, blessing settlers who are gathered, some on bended knee, near a log church or cabin on the frontier. Written in ink on verso: W. Lamprecht & ...frede... More

Panorama, Vancouver, Columbia River no. 1

Photograph shows exterior view of buildings from across broad field. In: Photographs of British Northwest Boundary Survey, 1858-1861.

The gold mining town of Rock Creek, British Columbia, 1860

Photograph shows a cluster of log buildings, one identified as a restaurant, of the gold mining town, Rock Creek, British Columbia, as seen from a hillside above the town, with the creek in the background. In ... More

Daniel Boone : from the original painting by Chappel in the possession...

Public domain photograph of 19th-century painting, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Life on the plains preparing supper / / from sketches by Mr. James F. ...

Print shows, from a full page spread of scenes depicting life on the plains, a vignette of two women preparing a meal on a small, portable stove, with tents in the background. Illus. in: Harper's weekly, v. 10... More

Deadly attack of a wolf upon a man, and heroic conduct of the man's wi...

Masthead, text of story and image of woman swinging ax at wolf, which is attacking her husband, near Lexington, Michigan in 1859. Illus. in: Frank Leslie's boys' and girls' weekly. New York : F. Leslie, v. 1, n... More

Plowing on the prairie beyond the Mississippi / sketched by Theodore R...

Men plowing with team of oxen. Illus. in: Harper's weekly, 1868 May 9, p. 292.

Western sketches - a freshet in the Red River, Texas / Hoskin ; drawn ...

People on ferry crossing the Red River, Texas, during a flood. Illus. in: Harper's weekly, 1874 April 25, p. 361.

"The Little Ida" En route for Kansas - fleeing from the Yellow Fever D...

Top illustration shows small, two-mast sailboat in a turbulent sea. Bottom illustration shows African American "Exodusters" travelling to Kansas on foot and in a mule-drawn cart with cow attached by rope during... More

Emigrants to the West / W.M. Cary.

Emigrants, on plain in the West, with cattle, sheep, dog, horse, wagons; group around campfire in front of tent, with man holding up two game birds; another man with a slain deer, and women cooking. Illus. in: ... More

A frontier post office, eastern Montana

Photograph shows individuals, some on horseback and others riding in wagons, waiting outside of post office. Foster & Co., Miles City, Mont.

The "New home" in the far west / W.U. Morgan & Co. Lith, Cleveland, O.

Trade card, advertising New Home Sewing Machine Co., showing family outside of house.

Pioneer life in 1882. 19th century, Library of Congress collection

Photograph shows pioneer family standing outside of sod house. No. 1832. Additional title on item: South Dakota. Aberdeen. Pioneer life in 1882.

Conflict of the Linn boys with the Indians

Print showing Linn brothers in hand-to-hand combat in a Native American village, Kentucky, ca. 1785. Illustration from Augustus Lynch Mason, The Romance and Tragedy of Pioneer Life, 1883, p. 413.

Suspicious guests / drawn by H.F. Farny.

Print shows a Native approaching four men around a fire cooking a meal, in the background are two Natives seated on horseback. Illus. in: Harper's weekly, v. 35, no. 1782 (1887 February 5), pp. 96-97. Signed o... More

A "Boomer" family / / Davies. A "boomer's" wife /Witt. D[?] after Drot...

Large group of settlers of the West posed in front of tents; wife of settler of the West (Oklahoma?) cooking on outdoor stove in front of man standing beside covered wagon and man holding bucket and wagon wheel... More

Daniel Boone - Public domain drawing

Drawing shows Daniel Boone in a stock heroic pose preventing an Indian holding a hatchet from harming a woman and baby, while a dog bares his teeth. 9763 US Copyright office

Florida. A pioneer home in South Florida

The albumen silver print is a photographic printing process that was widely used in the 19th century. It involves coating paper support with a mixture of egg whites and salt, which creates a glossy surface to h... More

Pilgrims going to church - Public domain book illustration

Print shows Pilgrims walking through a snowy landscape toward a church. Copyright 1893 by Gebbie & Co. Illus. in: The American continent and its inhabitants before its discovery by Columbus / Annie C. Cady. Ph... More

Calamity Jane, General Crook's scout, no. 1

Photograph shows Martha Jane Burke, popularly known as Calamity Jane, full-length portrait, standing, facing front, wearing fringed leather jacket and pants, holding a rifle with her right hand, with butt resti... More

[Martha Canary, 1852-1903, ("Calamity Jane"), full-length portrait, se...

Photo copyrighted by H. R. Locke. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card.

Pioneer Cleveland / Dalrymple. - Political cartoon, public domain imag...

Print shows President Cleveland standing on the right, holding an axe labeled "Political Wisdom", in a forest where he has been cutting trees labeled "Gold Standard"; approaching from the left is a procession l... More

His silent partners / Dalrymple., Political Cartoon

Print shows a prospector with a pick working next to a stream and a sluice-box labeled "Klondike Placer" surrounded by vultures labeled "Gin Mill Keeper, Card Sharp, Dance House Keeper, Gambling Den, Dive Keepe... More

Sam Pitman's big production, A fortune hunter

"Russell-Morgan Print." Caption: The rescue at Eagle Rock Ranch : Brave Nellie with her left arm barred the door and with the right held the Spaniards at bay. Created and "copyright 1898 by The U.S. Printing Co... More

Messengers were sent to warn the settlers of the Indian uprising

Title on verso. (DLC/PP-1933:0131). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: "The Sole Survivors" by George A. Henty, St. Nicholas, 26:226 (Jan. 1899).

Ranch family in 1900. 19th century, Library of Congress collection

Photograph shows a family of five together outside their wooden cabin. Copyright 1900 by The Alfred B. Campbell Art Co., Elizabeth, N. J. No. 289.

A frontier ranch, eastern Montana

Photograph shows two men and a woman standing outside a log cabin.

Moose call - Print, Library of Congress collection

General information about the Popular and Applied Graphic Art print materials is available at: loc.gov Title information compiled by Junior Fellows, 2005-2017. Markendorff, George, copyright claimant. Category ... More

"49ers" - Drawing. Public domain image., Political Cartoon

Forty-niners arrive and depart from Sacramento, California, a small frontier town with a dance hall, poker parlor, saloon and barter center. Some pan for gold in the nearby river, while others stake their clai... More

Puck magazine cover - Superlative provocation / Gallaway.

Illustration shows a country courtroom scene with a judge pronouncing a verdict based on testimony of the cowboy standing in front of the clerk's desk. Caption: Rube Roundup Yes, your Honor, I admit I shot th... More

"Pioneer Seeking Shelter," a realistic group on the Plaza, Louisiana P...

H61305 U.S. Copyright Office. No. 8536. Public domain photograph of monument, historic place, stereoscopic card, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

DANIEL BOONE GROUP - Harris & Ewing, Studio Portrait

A group of people standing next to each other. Public domain portrait photograph, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

DANIEL BOONE GROUP - Public domain portrait photograph

A group of people standing next to each other, Library of Congress Harris and Ewing collection Title from unverified caption data received with the Harris & Ewing Collection. Date span based on active dates of... More

A Christmas joke with a point to it / Hassman̄.

Illustration shows the interior of a frontier cabin where a long table is set for a Christmas turkey dinner; around the table are seated several people, some of whom are surprised to discover an arrow stuck in ... More

The courtship of Bill Taft / Keppler.

Illustration shows a shy Theodore Roosevelt, as John Alden, talking to Priscilla Mullins labeled "Republican Party" sitting before a fireplace, with spinning wheel nearby, while William H. Taft, as Myles Standi... More

The lost trail a comedy drama of western life by Anthony E. Wills.

Caption: Ouray and Jim. Created and "copyright 1907 by The U.S. Lithograph Co., Russell-Morgan Print, Cincinnati & New York." No. 10830. Forms part of: Theatrical poster collection (Library of Congress)

Advertising Card for a Wall-mounted Candleholder and Shade: No. 46 Dan...

Public domain reproduction of artwork in Metropolitan Museum of Art, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Iron River Wis., in 1908, Iron River, Wis., in 1888

Postcard shows a parade on a commercial street in Iron River in 1908 and four scenes of Iron River in 1888 including two scenes of settlers in front of cabins, a man in a canoe, and railroad tracks. F 70753 U.S... More

The wolf a play of the Canadian woods by Eugene Walter.

At head of title: The great New York Lyric Theatre success. Caption: You have been making love to Hilda. Created by "The Enquirer Litho. Co., Cin., O." Forms part of: Theatrical poster collection (Library of Congress)

The crafty traders and the easy Indians / Will Crawford.

Illustration shows Joseph G. Cannon and Nelson W. Aldrich dressed as a frontiersman labeled "Licensed Trader[" offering trinkets labeled "Pauper-Competition Scare, Steady-Work Yarn, Prosperity-For-All Bluff, Ca... More

The mystery of the mistletoe / Will Crawford.

Illustration shows a beautiful young Native woman standing beneath a sprig of mistletoe at a colonial Christmas party, several men in attendance appear eager to kiss her. Illus. in: Puck, v. 68, no. 1762 (1910... More

A new scout on the old trail / Will Crawford.

Illustration shows a young "Boy Scout" standing outside his tent, meeting "Davy Crockett, Buffalo Bill, Texas Jack [Omohundro], Kit Carson, California Joe, [and] Dan'l Boone". Caption: "Put it thar, Pard! Yer ... More

The life of Buffalo Bill. Parts I-III

Several events from Buffalo Bill Cody's life are reenacted in the form of dreamed flashbacks. Many scenes are from the Wild West show scenarios, including Buffalo Bill taking the scalp of Yellow Hand, an Indian... More

Mormon pioneers about to enter Salt Lake Valley, July 24, 1847

Reenactment of Mormons traveling by wagon train. J175413 U.S. Copyright Office.

The Mormon pioneers advanced company coming over Little Mountain, July...

Reenactment of Mormons traveling by wagon train. J175419 U.S. Copyright Office.

Monuments of civilization / Keppler., Political Cartoon

Illustration shows at top, Puck holding a paper that states "The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research - Here modern science, aided by Vivisection, is gradually conquering and eradicating human disease" wi... More

West[w]ard bound - A group of people riding on the back of a horse dra...

Photograph shows two men, one carrying a rifle, walking along side ox-drawn covered wagon; four women riding in wagon; woman in front holding rifle. Copyright 1921 by Walter T. Oxley, Fergus Falls, Minn.

I trembled at the possibility of being the only woman within eighteen ...

(DLC/PP-1934:0109). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: "The Log Cabin Lady," Delineator, 99:5 (Dec. 1921).

[Family at dinner] - Drawing. Public domain image.

Title devised by cataloger. Illustration for "The Log Cabin Lady," Delineator, 99 (Dec. 1921); not published. (DLC/PP-1934:0109). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress).

Westward-ho panoramic photo

Photograph shows panoramic view of men walking along side ox-drawn covered wagons. Copyright registration title: Progress Westward-ho. Copyright 1936 by Snelson camera shop.

Calamity Jane's Rock. Custer State Park, South Dakota

Public domain photograph of South Dakota, United States, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Calamity Jane's Rock. Custer State Park, South Dakota

Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944. More information about the FSA/OWI Collection is availabl... More

Daniel Boone come to life. Washington, D.C., July 31. George S. Stirl ...

An old black and white photo of a native woman. Public domain portrait photograph, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Daniel Boone come to life. Washington, D.C., July 31. George S. Stirl ...

An old black and white photo of a man with a stick, Library of Congress Harris and Ewing collection Title from unverified caption data received with the Harris & Ewing Collection. Gift; Harris & Ewing, Inc. 19... More

[Crockett Ward (with fiddle)] - Public domain photograph

Title devised by Library staff based on caption information and inventory lists. Handwritten on back: "Crockett Ward; Davy Crockett Ward." Accompanying note reads: "These pictures were made by CBS photographer ... More

[Davy Crockett Ward of Bog Trotters Band and his wife, Galax, Virginia...

Title devised by Library staff based on caption information and inventory lists. Handwritten on back: "Davy Crockett Ward & wife; Galax Va 1937." Accompanying note reads: "These pictures were made by CBS photog... More

The new home. Book illustration from Library of Congress

Gift; Willard Centenary Celebration, National Woman's Christian Temperance Union; 1940; (DLC/PP-1940:053). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: Pioneer Girl / Cla... More

George Henry Boughton - Pilgrims going to church

Photograph shows Pilgrims walking through a snowy landscape. Photograph of a 1867 painting by George Henry Boughton.

Store dummy displaying Daniel Boone hat, fur trimming detachable, suit...

Picryl description: Public domain photograph of worker, marketplace, vendor, 1930s, Great Depression, economic conditions, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

A black and white photo of a mannequin in a store window. Office of Wa...

Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944. More information about the FSA/OWI Collection is availabl... More

New York, New York. The War Emergency Board of the fur industry formed...

Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944. More information about the FSA/OWI Collection is availabl... More

New York, New York. The War Emergency Board of the fur industry formed...

Public domain photograph of New York in 1930s, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

"Davy Crockett" visiting a cinema in Caernarfon

Teitl Cymraeg/Welsh title: "Davy Crockett" yn ymweld â sinema yng Nghaernarfon..Ffotograffydd/Photographer: Geoff Charles (1909-2002).Dyddiad/Date: 01/06/1956.Cyfrwng/Medium: Negydd ffilm / Film negative.Cyfei... More

Mormon Row, Mormon Row Road near intersection of Antelope Flats Road, ...

Historic National Road - Bethany as Calamity Jane at the Zane Grey Mus...

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Original Caption: Cowgirl up! says Bethany as she becomes blond-haired Calamity Jane of the wild West at a display in the Zane Grey Museum in Zanesville. ... More

The Occidental Hotel in downtown Buffalo, Wyoming. Established in 1880...

Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. Gift; Carol M. Highsmith Photography, Inc.; 2017; (DLC/PP-2002:038-13). Forms part of: Gates Frontiers Fund Wyoming Collection within ... More

Marble statue of David "Davy" Crockett, by Elizabet Ney, unveiled on t...

Picryl description: Public domain photo of a monument or sculpture, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.

Sign for The Plainsman restaurant and coffee shop, a vintage roadside ...

Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. Gift; Barbara Barrett; 2018; (DLC/PP-2018:112) Forms part of Carol M. Highsmith's America Project in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive. C... More

The pioneers; or, The sources of the Susquehanna; a descriptive tale

Also available in digital form.

James Fenimore Cooper - The pioneers... Public domain book

Also available in digital form.

A new home--who'll follow? or, Glimpses of western life

Caroline Matilda (Stansbury) Kirkland (1801-1864) was a middle-class white woman with a literary bent who moved with her husband and children to the woods of Michigan in the mid-1830s to settle a newly-planned ... More