In 1915, a powerful photograph from the Historic Photo Archive captured two lumberjacks standing alongside a massive tree in the Pacific Northwest.

The image highlights the enormity of the trees in this region, known for its vast, towering forests. The lumberjacks, dressed in heavy work clothes, embody the hard, physical labor required for the logging industry during this time, a critical part of the region’s economy.

The photograph also reflects the scale and significance of the timber industry in the early 20th century. As industrialization spread across the Uynited States, the Pacific Northwest became a hub for logging, with these massive trees being felled for construction, paper, and other essential products. The men in the photo, with axes in hand, stand as symbols of the grueling, dangerous work that defined the lives of many in the region.

At the same time, this image serves as a reminder of the environmental changes taking place during this period. The vast forests of the Pacific Northwest, which once seemed limitless, were being rapidly transformed by the logging industry. As the lumberjacks pose next to this giant tree, the photograph captures not just the human labor involved but also the profound impact of industrial progress on the natural world.