Gerald W. Williams Prints Collection, 1845-1874

The purpose of the United States Pacific Railroad Surveys was to find the best route for a transcontinental railroad after the Louisiana Purchase was completed in 1848. Officers from the Army's Topographical Bureau led six expeditions in the West, surveying the landscape for the most practical route, but also observing the botany, geology, climate, natural resources, and Native American inhabitants of the regions. The Northern Pacific Survey explored along the 47th parallel between St. Paul, Minnesota and the Puget Sound. Images of important scenes were captured by the expedition's two artists, John Mix Stanley and Gustavus Sohon.

The California and Oregon Survey searched for a north-south route between the Sacramento Valley and the Columbia River. The California Survey explored a north-south route between the 32nd and 35th parallels. Both of these surveys employed Charles Koppel as the primary artist.

John Mix Stanley began his artistic career in 1842, when he visited the American Southwest to paint landscapes and native inhabitants of the region. He was a member of the military expedition in the Mexica-American war, led by Stephen Watts Kearny in 1847-1848. He is best known for his panorama exhibition of Western scenes, displayed in Washington, D. C. in 1852.

Born in Germany, Gustavus Sohon came to the United States in 1842. He enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1852, and was stationed in various Western locations. He became conversant in several Native American languages, and made his name producing portraits of several tribal leaders. After leaving the Army in 1857, he lived in San Francisco operating a photographic studio. He died in Washington, D. C. in 1903.

Charles Koppel was born in Germany and joined the California surveys as an artist in 1853. His life after this experience is not documented.