Old Main is currently showing an exhibit about the legendary photograpgher Rocky Mountain Joe. This exhibit talks about both Mountain Joe’s life and photography, as well as the world he came from. Here in the second half of the exhibit there is a section on Mountain Joe’s work on documenting Boulder, including the university at that time. (Elizabeth Rodriguez/ CU Independent).
“Rocky Mountain Joe” Sturtevant, an artist and photographer in the late 1800s, is on display in Old Main. At least, his work is. Many of Sturtevant’s most famous photographs were captured in Boulder during his 26-year career.
His exhibit, PRINT THE LEGEND — The Real Story Behind Photographer Rocky Mountain Joe, will be on display until August 30. The exhibit has been up since Nov. 18.
Inspired first by his brother, Joe decided to move to Boulder in 1875 after reading letters about the growing mining town, thinking it would be a great place to begin a business. In 1898, Rocky Mountain Joe became Chautauqua’s official photographer, which helped grow his clientele with many tourists coming up for the summer.
In 1900, Sturtevant built a studio named the “Woodbine” across from Chautauqua, which he filled with photographs and personal items.
Luc Polgleze, who works in Old Main and holds a degree in history from CU, was interested in Sturtevant’s art and the way he depicted Boulder as a growing town.
“Before I worked here, I had never heard of him. I grew up here in Boulder County so I’ve seen his images but I never really associated them with him. I helped set up this display, and it was really interesting, being a history major and a Boulder resident, to learn more about him,” Polgleze said.
After beginning as an artist, Sturtevant became a cutting-edge photographer, incorporating many artistic styles into his photography. Mona Lambrecht, Old Main’s Curator of History and Collections, has been studying Joe and his work for 10 years, and explained that his photography had more artistic composition than other photographers of his time.
“The composition is much more striking. He played with different angles and did a lot of action shots, and animation and humor. Everything was active, the people were doing things” Lambrecht said.
Sturtevant’s prints from his scenic photographs were purchased by Boulder locals for 10 to 20 cents. His photographs did not focus on one subject either; they were very diverse. He captured street scenes, people, local events, University buildings, town buildings and more.
Sturtevant’s first studio was located at 744 Marine Street, but he still had a painting shop in town with several partners. The best was his wife Anna, who helped him sell many print works.
Sturtevant walked everywhere to capture many of his scenic prints, sometimes hiking through the mountains with 50- 75 pounds of equipment.
In the spring of 1910, Rocky Mountain Joe was found dead, lying near a set of rail road tracks.
Speculation suggested that Joe had tried to jump on a moving train, but without success. Joe’s nostalgic photos have become a timeless depiction of Boulder and have helped preserve the memory of the “Wild West.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Annie Mehl at Annie.Mehl@Colorado.edu
