Gezicht op Larimer Street in Denver c. 1860 - 1900

William Henry Jackson made this photograph of Larimer Street in Denver sometime in the late 19th century. As a photographer for the US Geological Survey, Jackson's images of the West helped shape national perceptions of the landscape and its development. Here, the urban environment reflects the commercial ambitions of a city in transition. The architecture is a mix of established styles and new constructions, telegraph poles and awnings line the street. Such photographic documentation played a crucial role in promoting urban development and attracting investment to cities like Denver. Jackson’s images became a tool for civic boosters. This photo presents the city as a modern metropolis, ripe with opportunity. But what is left out of the frame? Historians rely on sources like census data, city directories, and newspapers to understand the full picture of Denver's history during this period. In this way, we might investigate the social and economic disparities present at this time and develop a richer understanding of the city as it grew into itself.