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Thomas Moran

Explorer, Artist, Naturalist

In 1871 the Hayden expedition set out to survey the sources of the Missouri and  Yellowstone Rivers, the area that was soon to become the nation's first national park. Thomas Moran joined as artist of the team and depicted many of Yellowstone's geologic features and landscapes. These depictions later proved essential in convincing the United States Congress to establish Yellowstone as a national park.

Like many American artists of his time, Moran studied abroad in Europe, focusing on the works of European masters, particularly landscape artist J.W. Turner in the National Gallery in London. Moran soon established himself as a well-respected painter, engraver, and illustrator. He produced images for several publications, including Scribner's Magazine and it was through his association with Scribner's that he first learned of the Hayden Expedition. He agreed to join the expedition at his own expense, and with the support of Jay Cooke and Company, owners of the Northern Pacific Railroad, Moran was welcomed as a memb  er of the survey team. The Northern Pacific Railroad had a vested interest in Moran, as they were looking to popularize the area in the interest of expanding their railroad westward. 

Here, you may explore Thomas Moran's diary as it has been transcribed. As you will notice, Moran's diary begins in the middle of a sentence on what is thought to be the second page. It is suspected that a first page exists, because it was included in an
earlier transcription; however, its location remains a mystery.

of the route lay through a
magnificent forest of pines & firs
all growing straight as a ships
mast, & growing but a few feet apart. passed over the debris of a great
land slide. where the whole
face of the Mountain had
fallen down at some time,
laying bare a great cliff some
500 feet high. The view of the
lake, as we approached it, was
very beautiful. It is a small
pool formed by the widening of
stream at this point, it is not
more than half a mile in any
direction. The Mountains surrounding
it are about 11,000 feet high & about
3000 ft. above the level of the lake
having snow still upon them
The foot hills are all heavily