oregon Photo Archives - LIFE

Eisenstadt’s Images of Change in the Pacific Northwest

Bill Syken — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 14:59:54 +0000

In 1939 LIFE devoted a themed issue to the future of America, and it led off its reporting with a big piece on the Pacific Northwest, which the magazine predicted would be an engine of of growth as the country looked to move past the Great Depression. The region was described by hopefuls as “the last frontier” and “the promised land.” The big change afoot at the moment was the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam, which would became a major new source of power. And the Pacific Northwest in general was hailed for natural resources that were waiting to be tapped, and whose vast expanses were still only lightly populated. LIFE wrote, “Beyond the cities of the coast lie mighty reaches of forest, mountain, valley and river where you may go for miles and miles and see only a thread of railroad track or a lonely settler’s clearing as evidence of man’s presence on the giant earth.”

Alfred Eisenstaedt expertly captured the change that was coming to this Eden. Many of his pictures are striking on their own, from the images of a man at work in a teeming Seattle lumber yard, to dam construction, to the fishermen along the majestic Columbia River, to the characters of rural life. But taken together, Eisenstaedt illustrated what it looks like when civilization comes to the prairie. Consider his image of barefoot boys riding a tricycle alongside a highway that is only going to get busier.

LIFE wrote that these photos of Eisenstein were documenting not just a pivotal moment for the Northwest, but for the Amerca as a whole. The piece ended with this somber message to readers about a country making a fundamental transition:

The old American frontier, where a strong man with an axe and plow could take up free land and make his way regardless of his neighbors, is gone. In the industrial civilization of today and tomorrow, no region, no city, no business, no individual in America will ever be able to prosper alone and independent of the rest. The new frontier is one on which, working together for the common good, American will use their great technical and creative resources to produce the full abundance of which the American land is capable, an abundance which will make the long American Dream of dignity and freedom and equal opportunity for every citizen at last come true.

Fishing on the Columbia River in Oregon, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/LIfe Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Fishing on the Columbia River in Oregon, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Life in the Pacific Northwest, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/LIfe Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Life in the Pacific Northwest, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Construction of the Grand Coulee Dam, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Grand Coulee, Washington, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/LIfe Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Grand Coulee, Washington, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Life in the Pacific Northwest, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Life in the Pacific Northwest, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/LIfe Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Life in the Pacific Northwest, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

A post office in the Pacific Northwest, 1939.

Exterior view of a post office in the US Northwest region, 1939.

Life in the Pacific Northwest, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Children playing on seesaws in the Pacific Northwest, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/LIfe Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Life in the Pacific Northwest, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/LIfe Picture Collection/Shutterstock

A sheep ranch in the Pacific Northwest, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/LIfe Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Life in the Pacific Northwest, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/LIfe Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Seattle Cedar Lumber Manufacturing Company, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/LIfe Picture Collection/Shutterstock

A man at work at the Seattle Cedar Lumber Manufacturing Company, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/LIfe Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Life in the Pacific Northwest, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/LIfe Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Seattle, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Blue Lake, Washington, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/LIfe Picture Collection/Shutterstock

A skier at a resort in the Pacific Northwest, 1939.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/LIfe Picture Collection/Shutterstock

The post Eisenstadt’s Images of Change in the Pacific Northwest appeared first on LIFE.

The American Northwest: Vintage Color Photos From an Epic Road Trip

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 15:27:00 +0000

In August 1961, LIFE magazine published an ambitious, 10-page tribute to the American Northwest with the dramatic title: “Where God Sat When He Made America.” The title of the article, LIFE claimed, was inspired by a phrase uttered by an awe-struck visitor to Glacier National Park. Now, there’s nothing unusual, cheesy or suspect about the deep emotions that grand vistas can inspire in most anyone. Teddy Roosevelt, after all, reportedly wept upon first seeing Yosemite Valley.

And we can say this about the brilliant color photographs in this gallery, shot by long-time LIFE staffer J.R. Eyerman: they’re wonderful.

When he was a boy, Eyerman took thousands of pictures in Yellowstone, Glacier and other national parks while traveling and camping with his dad. Decades later, the professional photographer spent weeks in late 1960 traveling throughout Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Washington, and even as far south as San Francisco for the magazine’s tribute to “the stunning majesty of the Northwest.”

We hope you enjoy the view.

Not published in LIFE. Photo made for, but not published in, a LIFE magazine article on the American Northwest, fall 1960." caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-01-1024x810.jpg" alt="" />

A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Photo made for, but not published in, a LIFE magazine article on the American Northwest, fall 1960." caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-02.jpg" alt="" />

A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Photo made for, but not published in, a LIFE magazine article on the American Northwest, fall 1960." caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-03-1024x673.jpg" alt="" />

A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Yosemite Valley, 1960." caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="Yosemite Valley, 1960." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-04-1024x662.jpg" alt="" />

Yosemite Valley, 1960.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Photo made for, but not published in, a LIFE magazine article on the American Northwest, fall 1960." caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-05.jpg" alt="" />

A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Golden Gate Bridge, 1960." caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="Golden Gate Bridge, 1960." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-06-1024x662.jpg" alt="" />

Golden Gate Bridge, 1960.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Photo made for, but not published in, a LIFE magazine article on the American Northwest, fall 1960." caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-07-1024x833.jpg" alt="" />

A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Photo made for, but not published in, a LIFE magazine article on the American Northwest, fall 1960." caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-08-1024x676.jpg" alt="" />

A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Caption from LIFE. "At Yosemite National Park, four bucks gather to drink at the edge of the Merced Rover under the rock formations of El Capitan (far left) and North Dome (center, right) which rise above the unspoiled wilderness."" caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="At Yosemite National Park, four bucks gathered to drink at the edge of the Merced Rover under the rock formations of El Capitan (far left) and North Dome (center, right)." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-09-1024x814.jpg" alt="At Yosemite National Park, four bucks gather to drink at the edge of the Merced Rover under the rock formations of El Capitan (far left) and North Dome (center, right) which rise above the unspoiled wilderness." />

At Yosemite National Park, four bucks gathered to drink at the edge of the Merced Rover under the rock formations of El Capitan (far left) and North Dome (center, right).

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Photo made for, but not published in, a LIFE magazine article on the American Northwest, fall 1960." caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-10-1024x830.jpg" alt="" />

A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Photo made for, but not published in, a LIFE magazine article on the American Northwest, fall 1960." caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-11-1024x823.jpg" alt="" />

A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Photo made for, but not published in, a LIFE magazine article on the American Northwest, fall 1960." caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-12-1024x662.jpg" alt="" />

A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Photo made for, but not published in, a LIFE magazine article on the American Northwest, fall 1960." caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-13-1024x662.jpg" alt="" />

A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Photo made for, but not published in, a LIFE magazine article on the American Northwest, fall 1960." caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-141-1024x662.jpg" alt="" />

A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Photo made for, but not published in, a LIFE magazine article on the American Northwest, fall 1960." caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-15-1024x808.jpg" alt="" />

A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Caption from LIFE. "The monumental Grand Coulee Dam in Washington intercepts the Columbia River and sends its waters rushing down the 1,650-foot-wide spillway. . . ."" caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="he Grand Coulee Dam in Washington intercepted the Columbia River and sent its waters rushing down the 1,650-foot-wide spillway." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-16-1024x662.jpg" alt="The monumental Grand Coulee Dam in Washington intercepts the Columbia River and sends its waters rushing down the 1,650-foot-wide spillway. . . ." />

he Grand Coulee Dam in Washington intercepted the Columbia River and sent its waters rushing down the 1,650-foot-wide spillway.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. The Northwest's Pacific coast, 1960." caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="The Northwest's Pacific coast, 1960." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-17-1024x816.jpg" alt="" />

The Northwest’s Pacific coast, 1960.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Photo made for, but not published in, a LIFE magazine article on the American Northwest, fall 1960." caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-18-1024x808.jpg" alt="" />

A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Roadside picnic, fall 1960." caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="Roadside picnic, fall 1960." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-19-1024x819.jpg" alt="Roadside picnic, fall 1960." />

Roadside picnic, fall 1960.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Photo made for, but not published in, a LIFE magazine article on the American Northwest, fall 1960." caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-20-1024x662.jpg" alt="" />

A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Driving through the famed Wawona Tree (est. 2,300 years old), Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, 1960. The tree fell in 1969." caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="Driving through the famed Wawona Tree (est. 2,300 years old), Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, 1960. The tree fell in 1969." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-21.jpg" alt="Driving through the famed Wawona Tree (est. 2,300 years old), Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, 1960. The tree fell in 1969." />

Driving through the famed Wawona Tree (est. 2,300 years old), Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, 1960. The tree fell in 1969.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Photo made for, but not published in, a LIFE magazine article on the American Northwest, fall 1960." caption="J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock" title="A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2014/04/140414-northwest-roadtrip-22-1024x808.jpg" alt="" />

A scene from a road trip through the American Northwest, 1960.

J.R. Eyerman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

The post The American Northwest: Vintage Color Photos From an Epic Road Trip appeared first on LIFE.