The Tower c. 1875

Curator: This striking stereograph is titled "The Tower" and was captured by John K. Hillers. Look at the scale of that geological formation, it's impressive! Editor: It’s imposing, and I'm immediately drawn to the way the light catches the rough texture of the rock. It invites questions about the tools and labor needed to produce such a detailed image. Curator: Hillers worked extensively for the U.S. Geological Survey. This image, like many others he produced, served both scientific and promotional purposes, shaping perceptions of the American West. Editor: Exactly. The materiality of the photograph itself—the paper, the developing process—becomes part of the narrative of resource extraction and land use in the West. Curator: Yes, and it prompts us to consider the role of institutions like the Geological Survey in framing our understanding of natural resources. Editor: Well, I see now that the image is more than just a portrait of a landscape; it's a document of how we've come to perceive and interact with our environment. Curator: Indeed, and through the lens of Hillers, we see the tower not just as a geological feature, but as a subject deeply intertwined with the cultural and economic forces of the time. Editor: That shifts my view entirely. Thank you.