17,239 Frontier and pioneer life Images: LOC's Public Domain Archive Public Domain Search

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

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

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

[William Moore and family, Sargent, Custer County, Nebraska]

Photograph shows a family group standing in front of farm animals, sod house, and windmill. No. 246 inscribed on negative lower right.

Coburg, Nebraska Terr. & vic., 1884-85

Photograph shows family group standing in front of sod house with windmill on roof of adjoining building. 64 inscribed on negative lower right.

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.

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

Public domain photograph of house, residential property, home, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[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

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

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

[Isadore Haumont and family in front of two-story sod house on French ...

403 inscribed on negative lower right. 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 ... 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

Curtis Wharf, O & Second Streets, Anacortes, Skagit County, WA

Significance: Curtis Wharf is significant both in its contribution to history at the local and regional levels as a maritime commercial and industrial complex and in its illustration of a type of vernacular arc... More

Curtis Wharf, O & Second Streets, Anacortes, Skagit County, WA

Significance: Curtis Wharf is significant both in its contribution to history at the local and regional levels as a maritime commercial and industrial complex and in its illustration of a type of vernacular arc... More

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

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

[J.C. Cram sod house, Loup County, Nebraska]

Photograph shows a family group standing in front of sod house. No. 002 inscribed in lower right corner.

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

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

Log Cabin, Harrells, Sampson County, NC

Survey number: HABS NC-178 Public domain photograph of wooden church building, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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)

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

Poster - Heart of the Klondike, Alaska - Public domain lithograph

Caption: Across the Chilkoot Pass. Created and "copyright 1897 by The Strobridge Lith Co, Cin'ti & New York." Different version of poster with slightly different text: POS - TH - 1897 .H42, no. 4 (C size). N.Y.... More

Sketches of the life and adventures of Jacob Parkhurst : written with ...

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

[Hartley Ranch, Lillian Township on the Middle Loup River, Custer Coun...

Photograph shows a family standing and sitting, two men on horseback, in front of sod house with antlers on the roof. No. 225 inscribed on negative lower right.

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

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.

[Isadore Haumont and family in front of two-story sod house on French ...

403 inscribed on negative lower right. 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 ... More

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

Curtis Wharf, O & Second Streets, Anacortes, Skagit County, WA

Significance: Curtis Wharf is significant both in its contribution to history at the local and regional levels as a maritime commercial and industrial complex and in its illustration of a type of vernacular arc... More

Curtis Wharf, O & Second Streets, Anacortes, Skagit County, WA

Significance: Curtis Wharf is significant both in its contribution to history at the local and regional levels as a maritime commercial and industrial complex and in its illustration of a type of vernacular arc... More

Curtis Wharf, O & Second Streets, Anacortes, Skagit County, WA

Significance: Curtis Wharf is significant both in its contribution to history at the local and regional levels as a maritime commercial and industrial complex and in its illustration of a type of vernacular arc... 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

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

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

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

[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).

Daniel Boone - Print, Library of Congress collection

7761 U.S. Copyright Office. This record contains unverified data from PGA shelflist card. Associated name on shelflist card: Juehne.

Recollections of a long life, 1829-1915,

Born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Isaac Stephenson (1829-1918) followed his interests as a lumberman, sailor, and entrepreneur to Bangor, Maine and, later, to the northern woods of Wisconsin. In 1858, he purc... More

The pioneer's hoard. A thrilling romance of the Ozarks

Also available in digital form.

Floral home; or, First years of Minnesota: early sketches, later settl...

Harriet E. Bishop (1817-1883) emigrated to Minnesota from New England in 1847. She was recruited by Catherine Beecher's Board of National Popular Education to establish a school in St. Paul, Minnesota and to se... 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

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.

[William Moore and family, Sargent, Custer County, Nebraska]

Photograph shows a family group standing in front of farm animals, sod house, and windmill. No. 246 inscribed on negative lower right.

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

Poster - Heart of the Klondike, Alaska - Public domain lithograph

Caption: Across the Chilkoot Pass. Created and "copyright 1897 by The Strobridge Lith Co, Cin'ti & New York." Different version of poster with slightly different text: POS - TH - 1897 .H42, no. 4 (C size). N.Y.... More

"Calamnity [i.e. Calamity] Peak." Near Custer City on B. & M. R'y. Ti...

Center view of Calamity Peak. Copyright deposit. Title transcribed from item. Forms part of: John C.H. Grabill collection.

Heart of the Klondike written by Scott Marble.

Caption: The land of promise. Created and "copyright 1897 by The Strobridge Lith. Co., Cincinnati & New York." N.Y. no. 7830. Forms part of: Theatrical poster collection (Library of Congress)

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Rural life in Neb. - Public domain portrait print

Photograph shows the Laulerman(?) family in front of their sod house, with boy holding bull on the right. Title from caption attached to another copy. 348 inscribed on negative lower right.

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

Curtis Wharf, O & Second Streets, Anacortes, Skagit County, WA

Significance: Curtis Wharf is significant both in its contribution to history at the local and regional levels as a maritime commercial and industrial complex and in its illustration of a type of vernacular arc... More

Curtis Wharf, O & Second Streets, Anacortes, Skagit County, WA

Significance: Curtis Wharf is significant both in its contribution to history at the local and regional levels as a maritime commercial and industrial complex and in its illustration of a type of vernacular arc... 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

[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

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

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

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

selected digitized books

fiction

history

historical fiction

bumppo natty fictitious character

james fenimore cooper

pioneering the upper midwest books from michigan minnesota and wisconsin ca 1820 1910

frontier and pioneer life