The later part of the 1800s saw the advent of consumerism along with the advancing distribution of civilization being driven by steam. Steam power propelled ideas and commerce ever westward – to St. Louis and all points beyond. These images represent technology long abandoned by the tides of progress, as relevant then as the internet is today. No longer were the far reaches of new lands inaccessible. The steam empire was growing and the world was shrinking. East to West in mere days, carried on the relentless rhythm of wheels of steel. The fall of the empire was as inevitable as its rise. Replaced by newer technologies, we have all but forgotten the debt owed to the ingenuity of this era of water, coal, iron and wood.