John Wesley Powell
American Explorer of the Western United States

For Maps of Powell’s Expeditions, Go to the Exploration Maps Section of 66South.com


John Wesley Powell in 1881


John Wesley Powell Spent His Teen Years Near Janesville, Wisconsin. His College Years Were Spent in Various Towns in Illinois.


The Green River


The Colorado and Green Rivers


Current Photograph of Flaming Gorge Region Along the Green River in Northeastern Utah and Southwestern Wyoming. Powell Named This Canyon on May 26, 1869.


Browns Park & Lodore Canyon. Powell Lost One of His Four Expedition Boats Here in 1869.


Steamboat Rock (700-feet High) Along the Green River. Powell Named This Feature “Echo Rock” when He Climbed it In June 1869.


Desolation Canyon, Utah. Powell Nearly Fell To His Death Here in 1869.


Canyonlands National Park - This is where the Green River and the Grand River Join to Make the Colorado River.


Cataract Canyon Along the Colorado River. This Was a Rough Ride for Powell and His Party in 1869.


Glen Canyon Along the Colorado River


The Grand Canyon


The Kaibab Plateau. In September 1870, Powell’s Party Trekked Along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon on the Kaibab Plateau Looking For Suitable Locations for Supply Depots. Assisting Powell in this Excursion was a Kaibab Leader that Powell Named Chuar and a Guide Named Jacob Hamblin (an Associate of Brigham Young)


A 3-D Map Showing the Kaibab Plateau, Which Lies North of the Grand Canyon


The Vermillion Cliffs in Arizona


Rock Formation in the Vermillion Cliffs


John “Jack” Hillers - Powell’s Photographer


Sir Archibald Geikie, John Wesley Powell, and Charles Doolittle Walcott on a Geological Field Excursion to Harpers Ferry, West Virgina in May 1897


Emma Powell, John Wesley Powell’s Wife in 1882


John Wesley Powell During the Civil War in 1882


William Bramwell Powell (Left, Age 29) and John Wesley Powell (Right, Age 31)


John Wesley Powell in His 30’s


John Wesley Powell, Age 57


John Wesley Powell in Later Years


John Wesley Powell in Later Years


John Wesley Powell’s Grave in Arlington National Cemetery

Most of the Following Photographs Were Taken By Jack Hillers During Powell’s 1871-72 “Second Expedition” (No Photographs Were Taken During His 1869 “First Expedition”)


John Wesley Powell and Tai-gu (1871 or 1872)


Photo Taken During Second Expedition


Powell’s First Camp on the Green River in Wyoming (i.e., Second Expedition)


Photo Taken During Powell’s Second Expedition


Photo Taken During Powell’s Second Expedition


Photo Taken During Second Expedition


Photo Taken During Second Expedition


Photo Taken During Powell’s Second Expedition


Photo Taken During Powell’s Second Expedition


Photo Taken During Powell’s Second Expedition