Perched Rock, Rocker Creek, Arizona 1872

William Bell created this photograph, “Perched Rock, Rocker Creek, Arizona,” sometime in the 19th century. It's more than just a picture of a rock; it's a glimpse into the history of how the American West was seen and documented. Bell was part of the U.S. Geographical Surveys West of the 100th Meridian, a project that was about mapping the land and also about asserting control. Think about the indigenous people who already knew this land intimately. This photo, in a way, participates in a narrative that erases their knowledge and presence. The rock itself becomes a symbol of the West – monumental, enduring, and seemingly untouched. But that idea of untouched wilderness is itself a construction, ignoring the complex relationships between people and the land. Bell's photograph invites us to consider the layers of history embedded in this seemingly simple image and how photography played a role in shaping our understanding of place and identity.