East entrance to Golden Gate before 1891

Frank Jay Haynes made this photograph of the East entrance to Golden Gate sometime around the turn of the century. This route would have provided access to the natural wonders of Yellowstone National Park for tourists, as well as access to resources for industry. Haynes was the official photographer for the Northern Pacific Railroad, which was instrumental in the park’s early development. The image presents a specific view of the West, shaped by both commercial interests and a burgeoning sense of environmental awareness. The composition emphasizes the grandeur and monumentality of the natural rock formations. The road cuts through the landscape, offering a path for exploration, but there is an indication of the transformation of nature. By studying photographs like this, alongside archival documents and institutional records, we can better understand the complex relationship between tourism, industry, and the environment in the American West. It is a relationship that continues to shape our world today.