Willliam Edward Hook (1833-1908) began his career during the 1870’s in Chippewa Falls and Neenah Wisconsin, then moved on to Marquette, Michigan. He came into his own however when he moved west during the 1880’s. He settled in Manitou Springs, Colorado in 1885 to establish a successful tourist photography business. Hook was more than a tourist photographer, though. He documented the early years of the Canadian Northwest Mounted Police, the Manitou and Pikes Peak Railway, and Cripple Creek. His passion for Native Americans, railroads and mining was evident in his work. He then moved on to Colorado Springs, where he continued produced many scenes of the local area and Colorado scenery in general into the 1890’s. Among the local sites photographed were Manitou Caverns, Cave of the Winds, and various mountain and street scenes. He issued hundreds of views. His Yellowstone views come in various styles. All seem to be individual images and not part of any particular series or set. The Yellowstone images are known on Colorado and Michigan mounts and include some color hand-tinted images.

Cleopatra Pools, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone Park.

Hook Tinted Colorado Springs Verso.

Beehive Geyser, Erupts A Two Foot Column Of Boiling Water,
250 Feet High Every 30 Hours For Eight Minutes, Yellowstone Park

Hook Standard Colorado Springs Verso.

Hook Marquette, Michigan Verso.