Cold Water Canon inside Jug, showing east entrance, No. 1037 from the series "In and About the Dells of the Wisconsin River"

Art Historical Context

Henry Hamilton Bennett, a pioneering American photographer, captured this stereoscopic view of Cold Water Canyon as part of his celebrated series documenting the dramatic sandstone formations of the Wisconsin Dells. Active from the 1860s onward, Bennett helped transform the Dells from a remote natural site into a celebrated tourist destination, using his images to showcase the region’s unique geology and inviting vistas. The title’s reference to the “Jug” and east entrance highlights the canyon’s distinctive, enclosed rock formations, which visitors could explore by boat or on foot. This albumen print stereocard, with its paired images designed for a three-dimensional viewing experience, reflects the popular photographic technology of the late nineteenth century. Stereo views like this one allowed armchair travelers to feel immersed in faraway landscapes, fostering a sense of discovery and wonder. Bennett’s careful attention to light, depth, and composition elevated these works beyond simple documentation, contributing to the growing artistic recognition of photography as a medium. Today, the print resides in the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection, preserving Bennett’s role in shaping how Americans visualized and valued their natural heritage during an era of westward expansion and increasing tourism.

About the Artist

Henry Hamilton Bennett · 1843–1908

Henry Hamilton Bennett (1843–1908) was a pioneering American photographer whose breathtaking images of the Wisconsin Dells transformed a rugged river gorge into one of the nation's premier tourist destinations. Born in Farnham, Quebec, Canada, on January 15, 1843, Bennett moved with his family to Brattleboro, Vermont, before settling in Kilbourn City (now Wisconsin Dells), Wisconsin, in 1857 at ag...