Blog - Page 4 of 6 - D.A. Galloway

August 5, 2021

On this day 150 Years ago! (August 5, 1871) William Henry Jackson’s photographs of 1871 were instrumental in convincing Congress to pass the National Park Protection Act which set aside the area as a park. On this date he captured the crater of Castle Geyser using wet plate photography. Graham observed the skill of the […]

August 4, 2021

On this day 150 Years ago! (August 4, 1871) Thomas Moran draws a watercolor sketch of the Grand Prismatic Spring (top view), which he titles “Great Springs of the Firehole River.” Graham is in awe of the artist’s immense talent and creativity in painting this iconic scene.  

August 2, 2021

On this day 150 Years ago! (August 2, 1871) The Hayden group explored the Lower Geyser Basin. While everyone waited for Great Fountain Geyser to erupt, Graham and a soldier (Pvt. Foley) searched the area for nearby hot springs where Albert Peale could collect water samples. Tragedy ensued at Firehole Spring…

August 1, 2021

On this day 150 Years ago! (August 1, 1871) Mineralogist Albert Peale (who was also trained as a physician) took extensive temperature readings and samples of hot springs and other thermal features. Graham was recruited to assist Peale, who often made preliminary assessments via tasting the water.

July 31, 2021

On this day 150 Years ago! (July 31, 1871) A smaller group from Hayden’s team traveled from the lakeshore to the edge of the Lower Geyser Basin at Nez Perce Creek. An Odometer wagon was pulled behind a mule to measure distances. It was tough going in areas where dense lodgepole pines and many accumulated […]

July 29, 2021

On this day 150 Years ago! (July 29, 1871) James Stevenson and artist Henry Elliott use the “Annie” to visit the island closest to the northern shore of Yellowsone Lake. Elliott sketches the island and names it after the Survey Manager. Graham learns how to fire a Spencer carbine.

July 28, 2021

On this day 150 Years ago! (July 28, 1871) The Hayden Expedition reaches Yellowstone Lake. They assemble a small boat and craft a sail from a horse blanket. The boat is named “Annie”. William Henry Jackson takes a photo of James Stevenson (Survey Manager for Ferdinand Hayden) and Chester Dawes (son of Representative Henry Dawes) […]

July 27, 2021

On this day 150 Years ago! (July 27, 1871) The Hayden Expedition reaches the Mud Volcano and Dragon’s Mouth on the west bank of the Yellowstone River. A young man from Pennsylvania is dazed and confused as he awakens to find he has been transported back in time from 1971 to 1871.

July 21, 2021

150 years ago today, the Hayden Expedition entered the future park near Mammoth Hot Springs. Over the next 38 days, I will be following the survey team around the park and periodically sharing excerpts from “Burning Ground”. Key events will also be highlighted through the eyes of the protagonist, Graham Davidson.  

July 21, 2021

Yellowstone National Park’s iconic cutthroat trout have been under attack from nonnative lake trout. “Osprey and eagle populations have nosedived around Yellowstone Lake where lake trout outcompete them for food. By 2010, the lake had maybe one osprey nest, down from 40 to 60 nesting pairs a decade earlier, said Todd Koel, leader of the […]