Richard Wetherill

FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS

A black and white sketch of a family of five, including two adults and three children, standing together outdoors.

Richard Wetherill - Following the footsteps

Richard Wetherill, a name that in some circles of southwest archeology will raise the hackles of many people. A name that bares the brunt of much of the ire of the native american communities as well as the Archeological community, seen as a pot hunter and destroyer of prehistoric cliff dwellings while at the same time becoming one of the first European to find some amazing places and bring their knowledge to the world. Richard located many places where the footsteps of humans had stopped for hundreds of years, following in their footsteps he recognized just how amazing these places were. Following in his footsteps his younger brother John Wetherill went with Richard and with his camera captured the first images of many of these places. Using what would have been the newest technology of the time John took dryplate lantern slide images (3.5x4inch positive glass images meant to be shown enlarged with a magic lantern slide projector) of these places so that he could share with the world what these places looked like at the time.

Following in John's footsteps I have used the digital scans of his images hosted by the National Museum of the American Indian and recreated the original lantern slides. I have also traveled to these places with the same technology that John used taking images of the same places as they are now.

Not all of my images will be posted here as they are to be seen in person, with a group of people together seeing these amazing places projected on a screen in a darkened room where you can feel the place and see what has been, and what is now.

Be sure to follow my social media accounts to keep an eye out for when and where these presentations will take place.

Hovenweep - Lanternslide recreation 2025

Hovenweep - Lanternslide recreation 2025

Hovenweep Original Lanternslide John Wetherill 1892

Hovenweep Original Lanternslide John Wetherill 1892

Hovenweep - Lanternslide recreation 2025

Hovenweep - Lanternslide recreation 2025

Hovenweep Original Lanternslide John Wetherill 1892

Hovenweep Original Lanternslide John Wetherill 1892

Ruins of an old stone building on a rocky landscape with handwritten notes on the border, dated 1926.
Black and white photograph of an archaeological site with ancient ruins on a rocky hillside; handwritten notes on the right side mention the site as the San Capistrano Valley and a specific date in 1925.
Black and white photograph of cliff dwellings built into a rocky cliffside, with trees and rocky terrain above, and handwritten note on the border indicating it was taken near Agatty, Colorado in 1892.
Black and white photograph of ruins on a hillside, with partially collapsed stone buildings, some with window openings, surrounded by debris and leafless trees.
An old black and white photograph of cliff dwellings built into a rocky overhang, with handwritten notes on the border reading "Navajo apartment trail, Colorado, visit in 1972, along of these caves."
Black and white photograph of an old stone building with multiple small windows, some with wooden planks, and a pile of stones at the bottom. Handwritten note on the right side reads, "Skin in Talus, Colorado, Photo by Vickie Whelchel 1992, Light of
Black and white photograph of a canyon landscape with steep cliffs on either side, taken from a high vantage point, with handwritten notes on the right side indicating it is a photo of Selfh Canyon, with a handwritten date of 1902.
A black and white photograph of Cliff Palace, a cliff dwelling in Colorado, with handwritten notes on the right side.
Photograph of a cliff dwelling built into a rocky cliff face with multiple rooms made of stone, with a handwritten note on the right side reading "National Cultural Site, Yavapai, 1892, cliff dwelling, Canyon" and a red circle with the number 1099.
Black and white photograph of cliff dwelling structures built into a cave or overhang in the rock. Handwritten note on the right side reads: "Sight protected from fog at Cliff Cahuenga Pueblo, Utah 1894."
Black and white photograph of Cliff Palace, an ancient cliff dwelling built by Ancestral Puebloans in Colorado, taken in 1912.
Black and white photograph of ancient cliff dwellings built into a rocky overhang with large rock formations in the background. Handwritten notes on the side read "Sipapu Pueblo, California, built in 1892, right in your view."
Black and white photograph of ancient ruins with partially collapsed stone walls and trees in the background, with handwritten note on the right side mentioning Cahuenga Peak, California, and an old date.
Black and white photograph of a rocky landscape with cliffs, trees, and a water body in the distance, with handwritten notes on the right side.
Black and white photograph of a rocky cliff with a small, ancient stone structure built into the cliff face, surrounded by trees.
Black and white photograph of the Grand Canyon with handwritten note on the right side that reads, "Thomas, you cabin, Corduro, July 3rd 1892, Hope you have good camping."
Black and white photograph of a cliff with ancient cave dwellings built into the rock face, viewed from below with trees in the background. Handwritten notes on the side mention Vallo White and Calzado, with a note dated 1892.
Black and white photograph of a rocky alpine landscape with large rocks and sparse trees, labeled as originating from Yosemite National Park in 1912.
Black-and-white photograph of ancient stone ruins located in Utah, dated 1892, with handwritten notes on the right side of the photograph.
Black and white photo of a house built into a cliffside, with handwritten notes on the border indicating it was taken in 1922 in California near the coast.
Black and white photograph showing a rocky mountain landscape with large rock formations, likely taken in 1922 at Castle Mountain, Alberta, as indicated by handwritten notes on the border.
Black and white photograph of an archaeological site with a small stone structure, rocks, and canyon walls in the background, and handwritten notes on the card's sides.
Historical black and white photo of a circular stone structure, possibly a fort or dwelling, in a rocky landscape with a distant mountain and cloudy sky.
Black and white photograph of destroyed buildings on a barren landscape, with handwritten notes on the side.
Black and white photograph of a ruined adobe building with a handwritten note on the right side that reads, 'Captured Richard Clymer 1912, in the outskirts of', with the rest of the text cut off. The building appears weathered and abandoned, with som
Black and white photograph of a hillside with sparse trees and an old building at the base, with handwritten notes on the right side indicating it was taken at Echo Cliff, Utah, around 1922.
Black and white photograph of a firefighter in protective gear holding a hose, standing next to a fire truck.

Shop Prints

All images on my website or my social media are available as prints. While images on a website look great they really look amazing printed large and hanging on your wall. Check out my Etsy shop for details.