frontier and pioneer life

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

[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.

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

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.

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

Horses hauling spruce log 30 feet in circumference

Photograph shows group of men posing with giant log pulled by a team of horses in the Cascade Mountains, Washington. H70889 U.S. Copyright Office Annenberg batch 4

[J.D. Semler, near Woods Park, Custer County, Nebraska]

Photograph shows (from l. to r.) Lillie Semler holding daughter, Daisy, son George standing next to chair, and J.D. Semler standing with donkey, sod house in background. Identifications received from Betty Winb... More

Oreana, Nev. / T.H. O'Sullivan, phot.

Photograph shows a small mining town with members of the King survey team in the foreground. Plate 83 from: Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel / United States Army Corps of Engineers; Clarence Kin... More

Too near the war path. Public domain reproduction.

Print shows a frontiersman in buckskins and coon-skin cap holding a rifle, and a woman holding a bonnet standing in the forest. In the background Indians can be seen.

View of "Black Hawk Point" / Haerting lith. ; lith. Chas. Shober ; J.E...

Print showing bird's-eye view of Black Hawk Point, a frontier community in Colorado; includes remarque showing a Native American.

Journal of William Brown while traveling from Virginia to Kentucky

Public domain history book page scan, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Portrait photo of Nebraska Farmers - Coburgh P.O.

Photograph shows three adults and a child sitting along roadway in front of sod house and windmill. "Grandpa Brumbaugh's sod house, which was considered a 'high-toned' house, at old Coburgh Post Office in Custe... More

You need only one soap--Ivory soap / the Strobridge Lith. Co., Cin'ti ...

Poster shows a pioneer washing with Ivory soap at his campsite. Copyright 1898 by The Procter & Gamble Co., Cin'ti, O., U.S.A. Promotional goal: U.S. C26. 1898. Exhibited: American Treasures of the Library of ... More

You need only one soap--Ivory soap / the Strobridge Lith. Co., Cin'ti ...

Poster shows a pioneer washing with Ivory soap at his campsite. Copyright 1898 by The Procter & Gamble Co., Cin'ti, O., U.S.A. Promotional goal: U.S. C26. 1898. Exhibited: American Treasures of the Library of ... More

I received an appointment as teacher in a district school

(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).

Bowman's Castle, Front & Second Streets, Brownsville, Fayette County, ...

Significance: Originally constructed by Jacob Bowman as a trading post & home, Bowman's Castle was both an important commercial enterprise on Pennsylvania's frontier and home to one of the area's most prominent... More

Tyne Woody House, Cataloochee, Haywood County, NC

Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-16 Survey number: HABS NC-5 Building/structure dates: 1893 Initial Construction

Fort Bowman, Frontage Road, Strasburg, Shenandoah County, Virginia

Significance: Built in 1753 for George Bowman, the gray limestone house is a significant example of the influence of Pennsylvania German building traditions on the architecture of the Shenandoah Valley. Survey... More

Fort Bowman, Frontage Road, Strasburg, Shenandoah County, Virginia

Significance: Built in 1753 for George Bowman, the gray limestone house is a significant example of the influence of Pennsylvania German building traditions on the architecture of the Shenandoah Valley. Survey... More

Fort Bowman, Frontage Road, Strasburg, Shenandoah County, Virginia

Significance: Built in 1753 for George Bowman, the gray limestone house is a significant example of the influence of Pennsylvania German building traditions on the architecture of the Shenandoah Valley. Survey... More

Chicago in 1820 - Print, Library of Congress collection

Print showing Native Americans engaged in fur trading on the banks of a river or lake at the settlement of Chicago. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1867 by H. Henke, in the clerk's office of U... More

Brinegar Cabin, Blue Ridge Parkway, Moxley, Wilkes County, NC

Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-19 Survey number: HABS NC-188 Building/structure dates: 1885 Initial Construction

Hopewell Plantation, Clemson University Campus, near intersection of O...

2006 Charles E. Peterson Prize Significance: Built about 1785 initially a log structure, Hopewell is representative of a rural house type, which was common in the late 18th and early 19th century in the backcou... More

[Hunter and Indian] - Public domain portrait drawing

Picryl description: Public domain image, drawing, American, 19th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions

Jonathan Hager House (Foundation), Hagerstown, Washington County, MD

Survey number: HABS MD-39 Building/structure dates: ca. 1740 Initial Construction

Jonathan Hager House (Foundation), Hagerstown, Washington County, MD

Survey number: HABS MD-39 Building/structure dates: ca. 1740 Initial Construction

[Morrison residence on Victoria Creek near Merna, Custer County, Nebra...

Photograph shows a family group sitting and standing in front of sod house with antlers in the foreground. No. 150 inscribed on negative lower right.

Notes, on the settlement and Indian wars, of the western parts of Virg...

Picryl description: Public domain illustrated travel, exploration, and geography book page scan, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.

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

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

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

An English settler in pioneer Wisconsin; the letters of Edwin Bottomle...

This volume is a collection of important historical documents published by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. It is entirely devoted to letters from an English immigrant, Edwin Bottomley (1809-1850), wr... More

Austin-Whittemore House, 15 Austin Street, Vermillion, Clay County, SD

Significance: Built five years prior to South Dakota statehood, this house is one of the few surviving 19th century structures in the vicinity of Vermillion. It is a rare permanent frontier structure with a fe... More

Virginia [City], Nevada / T.H. O'Sullivan, phot.

Photograph showing a small town nestled at foot of mountain. Plate 93 from: Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel / United States Army Corps of Engineers; Clarence King, geologist in charge. [Washing... More

Letters from the West : containing sketches of scenery, manners, and c...

Picryl description: Public domain illustrated travel, exploration, and geography book page scan, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.

Letters from the West : containing sketches of scenery, manners, and c...

Picryl description: Public domain illustrated travel, exploration, and geography book page scan, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.

[William Couhig, Dale (Dale Valley), Custer County, Nebraska]

Photograph shows a man and a woman, possibly William Couhig and his wife, standing in front of a sod house; the woman is holding a short rope attached to a sheep, a cat is on the ground next to her, and a horse... More

Isaac Goodnow House, 2301 Claflin Road, Manhattan, Riley County, KS

Picryl description: Public domain image of a residential building, house, 19th-20th century architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Virginia City, General View Area Survey, Virginia City, Storey County,...

Survey number: HABS NV-15-77 National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 66000458

Virginia City, General View Area Survey, Virginia City, Storey County,...

Survey number: HABS NV-15-77 National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 66000458

Bowman's Castle, Front & Second Streets, Brownsville, Fayette County, ...

Significance: Originally constructed by Jacob Bowman as a trading post & home, Bowman's Castle was both an important commercial enterprise on Pennsylvania's frontier and home to one of the area's most prominent... More

Bowman's Castle, Front & Second Streets, Brownsville, Fayette County, ...

Significance: Originally constructed by Jacob Bowman as a trading post & home, Bowman's Castle was both an important commercial enterprise on Pennsylvania's frontier and home to one of the area's most prominent... More

Tyne Woody House, Cataloochee, Haywood County, NC

Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-16 Survey number: HABS NC-5 Building/structure dates: 1893 Initial Construction

Lemmon-Anderson-Hixson Ranch, 11220 North Virginia Street, Reno, Washo...

Public domain photograph of American trade card, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[Immune, Alkah Ike on rampage] / O'Neill.

Title from handwritten notation on mat. No accession number. Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published as comic in: Puck, Oct. 19, 1904. BAR updated record 1989-1994.

Whitcomb Cabin, BZ Corners, Glenwood County Road (Conboy Lake National...

Picryl description: Public domain image of wildlife, wild animals, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Fort Bowman, Frontage Road, Strasburg, Shenandoah County, Virginia

Significance: Built in 1753 for George Bowman, the gray limestone house is a significant example of the influence of Pennsylvania German building traditions on the architecture of the Shenandoah Valley. Survey... More

Fort Bowman, Frontage Road, Strasburg, Shenandoah County, Virginia

Significance: Built in 1753 for George Bowman, the gray limestone house is a significant example of the influence of Pennsylvania German building traditions on the architecture of the Shenandoah Valley. Survey... More

Mountain meadows / from nature by S.H. Redmond ; [drawn on stone by] H...

Wagon train and Indians hiding behind rocks. Copyright by H. Williams, Pres. Pacific Art Co.

Hopewell Plantation, Clemson University Campus, near intersection of O...

2006 Charles E. Peterson Prize Significance: Built about 1785 initially a log structure, Hopewell is representative of a rural house type, which was common in the late 18th and early 19th century in the backcou... More

Natchez Trace Parkway, Located between Natchez, MS & Nashville, TN, Tu...

Significance: A regional Good Roads movement championed by the Natchez Trace Military Highway Association in 1916 continued an effort initiated by the Mississippi Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to c... More

Natchez Trace Parkway, Located between Natchez, MS & Nashville, TN, Tu...

Significance: A regional Good Roads movement championed by the Natchez Trace Military Highway Association in 1916 continued an effort initiated by the Mississippi Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to c... More

Natchez Trace Parkway, Located between Natchez, MS & Nashville, TN, Tu...

Significance: A regional Good Roads movement championed by the Natchez Trace Military Highway Association in 1916 continued an effort initiated by the Mississippi Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to c... More

Natchez Trace Parkway, Located between Natchez, MS & Nashville, TN, Tu...

Significance: A regional Good Roads movement championed by the Natchez Trace Military Highway Association in 1916 continued an effort initiated by the Mississippi Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to c... More

Natchez Trace Parkway, Located between Natchez, MS & Nashville, TN, Tu...

Significance: A regional Good Roads movement championed by the Natchez Trace Military Highway Association in 1916 continued an effort initiated by the Mississippi Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to c... More

Natchez Trace Parkway, Located between Natchez, MS & Nashville, TN, Tu...

Significance: A regional Good Roads movement championed by the Natchez Trace Military Highway Association in 1916 continued an effort initiated by the Mississippi Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to c... More

Natchez Trace Parkway, Located between Natchez, MS & Nashville, TN, Tu...

Significance: A regional Good Roads movement championed by the Natchez Trace Military Highway Association in 1916 continued an effort initiated by the Mississippi Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to c... More

Natchez Trace Parkway, Located between Natchez, MS & Nashville, TN, Tu...

Significance: A regional Good Roads movement championed by the Natchez Trace Military Highway Association in 1916 continued an effort initiated by the Mississippi Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to c... More

Natchez Trace Parkway, Located between Natchez, MS & Nashville, TN, Tu...

Significance: A regional Good Roads movement championed by the Natchez Trace Military Highway Association in 1916 continued an effort initiated by the Mississippi Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to c... 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

Daniel Boone & his friends rescuing his daughter Jemina

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.

[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.

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

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

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.

[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

Letters from the West : containing sketches of scenery, manners, and c...

Picryl description: Public domain illustrated travel, exploration, and geography book page scan, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.

View of "Black Hawk Point" / Haerting lith. ; lith. Chas. Shober ; J.E...

Print showing bird's-eye view of Black Hawk Point, a frontier community in Colorado; includes remarque showing a Native American.

Calamity Jane - Public domain portrait print

Photographs shows Martha Jane Burke, popularly known as Calamity Jane, on horseback, wearing an elaborate Western costume, in front of tipis and tents at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. H 7997... More

Journal of William Brown while traveling from Virginia to Kentucky

Public domain history book page scan, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Portrait photo of Nebraska Farmers - Coburgh P.O.

Photograph shows three adults and a child sitting along roadway in front of sod house and windmill. "Grandpa Brumbaugh's sod house, which was considered a 'high-toned' house, at old Coburgh Post Office in Custe... More

[The trial of a horse thief] / Jno. Mulvany ; Clay, Cosack & Co. chrom...

Print shows a large group of men gathered in a room in a tavern or general store, conducting the trial of a man, standing at center, suspected of stealing a horse. Includes registration marks and color bars to ... More

You need only one soap--Ivory soap / the Strobridge Lith. Co., Cin'ti ...

Poster shows a pioneer washing with Ivory soap at his campsite. Copyright 1898 by The Procter & Gamble Co., Cin'ti, O., U.S.A. Promotional goal: U.S. C26. 1898. Exhibited: American Treasures of the Library of ... More

American progress - Print, Library of Congress collection

Print shows an allegorical female figure of America leading pioneers westward, as they travel on foot, in a stagecoach, conestoga wagon, and by railroads, where they encounter Native Americans and herds of biso... More

Bowman's Castle, Front & Second Streets, Brownsville, Fayette County, ...

Significance: Originally constructed by Jacob Bowman as a trading post & home, Bowman's Castle was both an important commercial enterprise on Pennsylvania's frontier and home to one of the area's most prominent... More

Calamity Jane on Wild Bill's grave

Photographs shows Martha Jane Burke, popularly known as Calamity Jane, standing by the grave of Wild Bill Hickok in Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Deadwood, South Dakota.

Fort Bowman, Frontage Road, Strasburg, Shenandoah County, Virginia

Significance: Built in 1753 for George Bowman, the gray limestone house is a significant example of the influence of Pennsylvania German building traditions on the architecture of the Shenandoah Valley. Survey... More

Heart of the Klondike written by Scott Marble., Alaska

Public domain scan of American 19th-century print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Daniel Boone protects his family

Print showing Daniel Boone fighting with a Native, as his wife cowers over their son on the left. E9763 U.S. Copyright Office. Entd. accordg. to act of Congs. in the year 1874 by H. Schile in the Office of the... More

Brinegar Cabin, Blue Ridge Parkway, Moxley, Wilkes County, NC

Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-19 Survey number: HABS NC-188 Building/structure dates: 1885 Initial Construction

Samuel Adair Cabin, John Brown Memorial Park (moved from original site...

Significance: Not only is this structure a typical frontier cabin but is also notable because John Brown made his headquarters here. Survey number: HABS KS-18 Building/structure dates: 1854 Initial Constructi... More

Jonathan Hager House (Foundation), Hagerstown, Washington County, MD

Survey number: HABS MD-39 Building/structure dates: ca. 1740 Initial Construction

Jonathan Hager House (Foundation), Hagerstown, Washington County, MD

Survey number: HABS MD-39 Building/structure dates: ca. 1740 Initial Construction

Austin, Nevada / T. H. O'Sullivan, phot.

Photograph showing a small town. Plate 111 from: Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel / United States Army Corps of Engineers; Clarence King, geologist in charge. [Washington, D.C.; 187-?].

Natchez Trace Parkway, Located between Natchez, MS & Nashville, TN, Tu...

Significance: A regional Good Roads movement championed by the Natchez Trace Military Highway Association in 1916 continued an effort initiated by the Mississippi Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to c... More

Natchez Trace Parkway, Located between Natchez, MS & Nashville, TN, Tu...

Significance: A regional Good Roads movement championed by the Natchez Trace Military Highway Association in 1916 continued an effort initiated by the Mississippi Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to c... More

Natchez Trace Parkway, Located between Natchez, MS & Nashville, TN, Tu...

Significance: A regional Good Roads movement championed by the Natchez Trace Military Highway Association in 1916 continued an effort initiated by the Mississippi Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to c... More

Natchez Trace Parkway, Located between Natchez, MS & Nashville, TN, Tu...

Significance: A regional Good Roads movement championed by the Natchez Trace Military Highway Association in 1916 continued an effort initiated by the Mississippi Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to c... More

Natchez Trace Parkway, Located between Natchez, MS & Nashville, TN, Tu...

Significance: A regional Good Roads movement championed by the Natchez Trace Military Highway Association in 1916 continued an effort initiated by the Mississippi Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to c... More

Natchez Trace Parkway, Located between Natchez, MS & Nashville, TN, Tu...

Significance: A regional Good Roads movement championed by the Natchez Trace Military Highway Association in 1916 continued an effort initiated by the Mississippi Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to c... More

Natchez Trace Parkway, Located between Natchez, MS & Nashville, TN, Tu...

Significance: A regional Good Roads movement championed by the Natchez Trace Military Highway Association in 1916 continued an effort initiated by the Mississippi Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to c... More

Natchez Trace Parkway, Located between Natchez, MS & Nashville, TN, Tu...

Significance: A regional Good Roads movement championed by the Natchez Trace Military Highway Association in 1916 continued an effort initiated by the Mississippi Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to c... More

Natchez Trace Parkway, Located between Natchez, MS & Nashville, TN, Tu...

Significance: A regional Good Roads movement championed by the Natchez Trace Military Highway Association in 1916 continued an effort initiated by the Mississippi Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to c... 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

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

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)

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