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Jigsaw Puzzle > Photographers > 19th Century Photographers > Carleton E. Watkins (1829-1916)

Carleton E. Watkins (1829-1916) Jigsaw Puzzle Collection

Remarkable images that inspired Abraham Lincoln to ensure Yosemite was protected in perpetuity by law, paving the way for national Park legislation

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Carleton's main focus was on landscape photos. Yosemite was a favourite subject of his and he captured some of the earliest photographs when the medium was in its infancy. It's believed his photos of the valley inspired Abraham Lincoln to change the course of environmental history significantly influencing the United States Congress' decision to preserve it as a National Park. Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant Act on June 30th 1864 establishing Yosemite Valle and Mariposa Grove as protected wilderness areas.

15 Jigsaw Puzzles

Background imageCarleton E. Watkins (1829-1916) Jigsaw Puzzle Collection: Yosemite Park

Yosemite Park
The Yosemite Valley cut through by the Merced River in Yosemite Park, California. (Photo by Carleton E Watkins/Getty Images)

Background imageCarleton E. Watkins (1829-1916) Jigsaw Puzzle Collection: Grizzly Giant

Grizzly Giant
A thirty-three foot wide tree known as the Grizzly Giant in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Yosemite National Park, California, circa 1865

Background imageCarleton E. Watkins (1829-1916) Jigsaw Puzzle Collection: Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Valley
The Half Dome in Yosemite Valley, a glacial gorge about 7 miles long and 1 mile wide running through the Yosemite National Park in California. (Photo by Carleton E. Watkins/Getty Images)

Background imageCarleton E. Watkins (1829-1916) Jigsaw Puzzle Collection: Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Valley
A rocky stream in Yosemite Valley, California, circa 1870. (Photo by Carleton E Watkins/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageCarleton E. Watkins (1829-1916) Jigsaw Puzzle Collection: Yosemite Sequoia

Yosemite Sequoia
A horse-drawn cart passing through a section cut out of the base of a giant sequoia tree in the Mariposa groves of Yosemite Park, California. (Photo by Carleton E Watkins/Getty Images)

Background imageCarleton E. Watkins (1829-1916) Jigsaw Puzzle Collection: El Capitan

El Capitan rock face in Yosemite Park, California. (Photo by Carleton E Watkins/Getty Images)

Background imageCarleton E. Watkins (1829-1916) Jigsaw Puzzle Collection: Three Brothers in Yosemite Valley by Carleton E Watkins

Three Brothers in Yosemite Valley by Carleton E Watkins
The Three Brothers rock face in Yosemite Valley, Yosemite Park, California. One of a series Carleton E Watkins took of the unpopulated area on his mammoth plate camera

Background imageCarleton E. Watkins (1829-1916) Jigsaw Puzzle Collection: Yosemite Fall

Yosemite Fall
circa 1870: The Upper Yosemite Fall in Yosemite Park, California. (Photo by Carleton E. Watkins/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageCarleton E. Watkins (1829-1916) Jigsaw Puzzle Collection: Sentinel Rock

Sentinel Rock
The 3270 ft high Sentinel Rock, Yosemite National Park, California, circa 1870. (Photo by Carleton E Watkins/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageCarleton E. Watkins (1829-1916) Jigsaw Puzzle Collection: Washington Column

Washington Column
A stream runs toward the Washington Column in Yosemite National Park, California, circa 1870. (Photo by Carleton E Watkins/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageCarleton E. Watkins (1829-1916) Jigsaw Puzzle Collection: Bridalveil Fall

Bridalveil Fall
The 900 ft high Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite National Park, California, circa 1870. (Photo by Carleton E Watkins/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageCarleton E. Watkins (1829-1916) Jigsaw Puzzle Collection: Cathedral Spires

Cathedral Spires
The twin granite pinnacles of Cathedral Spires in Yosemite National Park, California, circa 1870. (Photo by Carleton E Watkins/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageCarleton E. Watkins (1829-1916) Jigsaw Puzzle Collection: Yosemite Peaks

Yosemite Peaks
A dramatic mountain landscape near Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite National Park, California, circa 1870. (Photo by Carleton E Watkins/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageCarleton E. Watkins (1829-1916) Jigsaw Puzzle Collection: Nevada Fall

Nevada Fall
The 620 ft high Nevada Fall, Yosemite National Park, California, circa 1870. (Photo by Carleton E Watkins/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageCarleton E. Watkins (1829-1916) Jigsaw Puzzle Collection: Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Valley
circa 1870: The view west along Yosemite Valley, Yosemite Park, California. (Photo by Carleton E. Watkins/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)


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