Cosmopolitan Saloon 1870 - 1874

Carleton Watkins made this albumen print, "Cosmopolitan Saloon," sometime in the 19th century. This image offers a glimpse into the transformation of the American West. Watkins' photograph isn't just a neutral record; it actively participates in shaping perceptions. The "Cosmopolitan Saloon" is an intriguing name. It suggests a place of worldly sophistication amidst the rugged wilderness. It's a claim to civility and culture in a landscape often associated with untamed nature and rugged individualism. The building bears an eagle emblem. This suggests the sanction of federal power and the ideology of manifest destiny. The question remains, for whom was this space cosmopolitan? Whose vision of civilization was being imposed on this landscape? To delve deeper, we might consult archives, maps, newspapers and other images. Through these resources, we can understand the forces that shaped both this image and the society it reflects.