Publishing about 1905
Benjamin Franklin, writer and editor
Artists, Photographers, & Publishing Companies Photo Gallery
Federal Writers’ Project – Real-Life Stores
Historic American Buildings Survey
Historical Text – Writings from American History
From artists to illustrators, photographers, writers, and publishers, American History is filled with adventurous characters who set out to document the events, people, and scenes that made this country grand. In many cases, these individuals often braved the elements, dangerous conditions, and battlegrounds to document their experiences, travels, and views in illustrations, written materials, and photographs.
Charles M. Russell working in his studio in Great Falls, Montana.
Many of the people and companies who documented America’s history in images and written words can be found on these pages. Far too many people have spent countless hours compiling American History to list them all, so these pages focus on some of the more famous; and primarily on those who have “contributed” to Legends of America’s many pages. Throughout the website are numerous photographs and illustrations by some of these talented artists and photographers, as well as articles, quotes, and even one entire book, written by these historical folks.
Historical Text appears throughout Legends of America. Here, you will find excerpts and complete articles from historical newspapers, periodicals, and books, written in the late 1800s and early 20th century. Read the words of those who witnessed the frontier, its hardships, successes, from well-known soldiers and presidents to the ordinary pioneer traveling in wagons, on horses, and trains across the vast west.
Nearly every history page contains photographs and art from numerous talented people who left their marks through illustrations, paintings, and early photography. These artists and photographers have not given an enhanced view of our past; but also greatly enhanced our pages for our readers.
“American history is longer, larger, more various, more beautiful, and more terrible than anything anyone has ever said about it.”
— James Arthur Baldwin
© Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated March 2023.
Also See:
American History Photo Galleries