William Ludwell Collection

Falls of the Blackwater, 1872. Creator: Frederick William Quartley
Falls of the Blackwater, 1872. Waterfalls in West Virginia, USA: Just below us flows the famous Blackwater through an awful rift nearly two thousand feet in depth...This is the land of

Anvil Cliff, 1872. Creator: William Ludwell Sheppard
Anvil Cliff, 1872. Rock formation on the New River, Virginia, USA:the rugged, riven, and weird Anvil Cliff lifts its awful but not repulsive front....the height of which

The Chickahominy, 1872. Creator: William Wellstood
The Chickahominy, 1872. River in eastern Virginia, USA: The Chickahominy is the chosen abode of all the known varieties of " varmints" of that region

Caught in the Act (Harpers Bazaar, Vol. VIII), May 22, 1875

Karrs Pinnacles, 1872. Creator: William Ludwell Sheppard
Karrs Pinnacles, 1872. Unusual rock formation eighteen miles above Petersburg, West Virginia, USA:we see two thin sheets of rock, towering perpendicularly, side by side

Cathedral Rock, 1872. Creator: William Ludwell Sheppard
Cathedral Rock, 1872. Rock formation reminiscent of a cathedral, West Virginia, USA: a vast minster of the Gothic ages...There is the grand portal, with its pointed arch

Chimney Rocks, 1872. Creator: William Ludwell Sheppard
Chimney Rocks, 1872. Unusual rock formation in West Virginia, USA: At the butt of a sharp spur rises a towering architectural mass

Cathedral Rock - Side-view, 1872. Creator: William Ludwell Sheppard
Cathedral Rock - Side-view, 1872. Rock formation reminiscent of a cathedral, West Virginia, USA: we may vary the scene indefinitely by changing position

Petersburg Gap, 1872. Creator: William Ludwell Sheppard
Petersburg Gap, 1872. Rocky landscape with trees on the South Branch of the Potomac River, West Virginia, USA: we suddenly turn into the cool and shadowy gorge of the Southern Gate

Goshen Pass, 1872. Creator: Henry Duff Linton
Goshen Pass, 1872. Gorge formed by the passage of the Maury River, Rockbridge County, Virginia, USA, which extends nearly nine miles between its frowning walls

Clifton Forge, 1872. Creator: Henry Duff Linton
Clifton Forge, 1872. Scene in rural Virginia, USA. From " Picturesque America; or, The Land We Live In, A Delineation by Pen and Pencil of the Mountains, Rivers

Looking Down the Potomac, from the Chain Bridge, 1874. Creator: John Filmer
Looking Down the Potomac, from the Chain Bridge, 1874. View of the River Potomac at Little Falls, Washington DC, USA. From " Picturesque America; or, The Land We Live In

Public Buildings in Washington, 1874. Creator: John Filmer
Public Buildings in Washington, 1874. Treasury Department; White House Front View; Smithsonian Institute; [Capitol Building], City Hall, White House Rear View; View from Agricultural Grounds

Peaks of Otter, 1872. Creator: William Ludwell Sheppard
Peaks of Otter, 1872. View of three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia, USA. From " Picturesque America; or, The Land We Live In

Washington from Arlington Heights, 1874. Creator: Robert Hinshelwood
Washington from Arlington Heights, 1874. View across the Potomac to the Capitol Building, Washington DC, USA. The site chosen by the first Congress for the capital of the United States

New River at Egglestons Springs, 1872. Creator: William Ludwell Sheppard
New River at Egglestons Springs, 1872. Peaceful scene in Virginia, USA. From " Picturesque America; or, The Land We Live In, A Delineation by Pen and Pencil of the Mountains, Rivers

Purgatory Falls, Head-Waters of the Roanoke, 1872. Creator: John J. Harley
Purgatory Falls, Head-Waters of the Roanoke, 1872. Waterfall at the source of the Roanoke River, Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia, USA

The Cliffs of Seneca, 1872. Creator: William Ludwell Sheppard
The Cliffs of Seneca, 1872. View of Seneca Rocks, at the confluence of Seneca Creek with the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River in West Virginia, USA: Imagine a thin

Rainbow Arch, 1872. Creator: William Ludwell Sheppard
Rainbow Arch, 1872. Rock formation on the James River, Virginia, USA: The stratification here is most rare and strange, describing the arc of a circle

Natural Towers, 1872. Creator: Frederick William Quartley
Natural Towers, 1872. Rock formation in Augusta County, Virginia, USA:the Towers rise straight up from the cultivated field

Natural Tunnel, 1872. Creator: William Ludwell Sheppard
Natural Tunnel, 1872. View of the Natural Tunnel, a cave that is so large it is used as a railroad tunnel, Appalachian Mountains, Scott County, Virginia, USA

Great Falls of the Potomac, 1874. Creator: Alfred Harral
Great Falls of the Potomac, 1874. Waterfalls on the Potomac River on the border of Maryland and Virginia, USA. Here the water foams and rushes among jagged rocks

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"William Ludwell: Capturing the Beauty of Nature in 19th Century America" Step into the enchanting world Sheppard, a talented artist and photographer whose works continue to captivate audiences even today. Born in Anvil Cliff in 1872, Sheppard's artistic prowess blossomed early on, as he effortlessly captured the essence of his surroundings. In "Caught in the Act, " featured in Harpers Bazaar, Vol. VIII, May 22, 1875, Sheppard skillfully freezes a moment in time - an exquisite snapshot that transports viewers to another era. The image reveals not only his technical mastery but also his ability to evoke emotions through visual storytelling. Sheppard's lens takes us on a journey through breathtaking landscapes such as Karrs Pinnacles and Falls of the Blackwater. With each click of his camera shutter, he immortalizes nature's grandeur and invites us to marvel at its splendor alongside him. One cannot help but be awestruck by Cathedral Rock and Chimney Rocks - monumental formations that stand tall against the passage of time. Through these photographs from 1872, we witness Sheppard's talent for capturing both minute details and sweeping vistas with equal finesse. Petersburg Gap beckons us further into this visual odyssey; its rugged beauty is masterfully portrayed by Sheppard's keen eye for composition. Meanwhile, The Chickahominy whispers tales of tranquility amidst lush greenery - a testament to both nature's serenity and Sheppard’s artistry. Henry Duff Linton joins our narrative with Goshen Pass and Clifton Forge – two locations brought vividly to life through Linton’s lens. These images showcase not only their natural allure but also highlight how different artists can interpret landscapes uniquely. Finally, Looking Down the Potomac from Chain Bridge offers John Filmer’s perspective on this iconic river view from 1874.