Set in Stone, Fixed in Glass

Nelson Wadsworth's book includes 400 of the best examples of surviving frontier photographs taken beginning in 1853 over a forty-year period. The images capture the progress and moods of Utah Territory as the temple progressively rose from the valley floor and other structures gradually emerged. Besides the temple, the Mormon people are featured, portrayed both in formal portraits and informal group poses. One can see the changes in fashion and in urban technology, farms and factories, surrounding landscapes, and recreational pastimes. Miraculously many of these priceless scenes seem as clear today as when they were originally captured on glass plates.