From 1867-1872, geologist Clarence King (1842-1901) led the Geological Exploration of the 40th Parallel. The survey covered a total area 100 by 800 miles from the eastern edge of California to Wyoming. Timothy H. O’Sullivan (1840-1882) was the primary photographer for the 1867, 1868, 1869, and 1872 expeditions. This photograph of Shoshone Falls in Idaho was taken by O'Sullivan in 1868. The photograph shows the landscape of rock formations and canyon cliffs surrounding the falls in the center. A man is shown in the foreground, sitting and looking over the falls as they pour into the Snake River below. The number 70 is visible in the lower left corner of the photograph, possibly corresponding with the original negative number. The title is hand-written on the mount of thr photograph.
Printed on front of photograph mount: "U.S. Engineer Department. Geological Exploration. Fortieth Parallel. T.H. O'Sullivan, Photographer." Hand-written note on lower right corner, likely by photographer, reads: "Shoshone Falls Idaho."