A year later, Cannon moved to the southern Utah colony of St. George, and Savage took on a new partner, artist George Ottinger. The studio of Savage and Ottinger grew in prominence over the years, with the work of both artists distributed across the country. Many of Savage's photographs were reproduced in Harper's Weekly newspaper, which added to the national reputation of the firm. The partnership dissolved amicably in 1870, although the two men remained lifelong friends and often traveled together on photographic and art trips.
Savage's most famous photograph was that of the driving of the Golden Spike at Promontory Summit on May 10, 1869. He was the first to photograph the area of southern Utah now known as Zion National Park, and took hundreds of photographs documenting the growth of Utah towns. He travelled extensively over the western United States, taking pictures in such far-ranging areas as Canada and Mexico, and from California to Nebraska. His views were sold throughout the United States and Europe, and his studio at one time was the most widely known producer of western landscape views in the country. In its heyday, the studio employed ten employees besides Savage himself.
In addition to his work as a photographer, Savage was a prominant Utah businessman and Mormon Church member. He organized the Old Folks Day, which was an annual festival to honor elderly people in the Territory, and give them a chance for outside activities. This became a Utah tradition for over seven decades, long after Savage himself had died. He also served as a Captain in the Utah Militia, and as a L.D.S. Stake High Councilor. He was a charter member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and sang with the choir until his death in 1909.
Savage's glass-plate negatives were destroyed by two studio
fires, one in 1883, and another in 1911, two years after his
death. His work is preserved in existing albumen prints which
enjoy a good market among collectors even to this day.
A limited portfolio
of Charles Savage's photographs is available for viewing.
I am always looking for further information about Charles Savage, as well as other Western 19th Century photographers, including Charles Carter, C. E. Watkins, A. J. Russell, James Fennemore, Silvis, etc.. I am also a collector of western landscape photographs from this era, and would love to hear from you if you have any unusual images, especially from Utah.
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KnowledgeBase - Biographical information on 19th century photographers.
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