Spoorlijn van de Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company door een kloof bij de Grand Canyon c. 1880 - 1900

This photograph by W.H.L. & Co. shows the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad cutting through a canyon near the Grand Canyon. Here we see how the expansion of the railroad in the American West was not just a feat of engineering, but a transformation of the landscape itself. The railway tracks and the train shed in the image appear to be in conflict with the natural landscape and massive scale of the canyon. This was a period of intense industrialization and expansion, driven by beliefs about progress and the exploitation of natural resources. Railroad companies often promoted these views, shaping public opinion through imagery that celebrated their achievements. The impact on indigenous populations and ecosystems was often ignored. Understanding this photograph means examining the economic and political forces that drove westward expansion. Archival documents, company records, and historical accounts can provide valuable insight into the social and environmental consequences of this era.