Throughout the early 1950s, Arthur Fawcett photographed many national parks and historic sites along the East Coast, including the Blue Ridge Parkway, Everglades National Park, Shenandoah National Park, and Acadia National Park. Fawcett also traveled extensively throughout the American West, capturing images of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite National Parks, as well as Native American cultural and historic sites. His photographs were utilized in NPS publications and exhibits, helping to promote the national park system to the American public.
Fawcett was a master of black-and-white photography, possessing a keen eye for composition and lighting. He had the ability to capture the beauty of the natural world in both a realistic and evocative manner. Many of his photographs also showcased the visitor experience during an era when the National Park Service was growing rapidly and needed to evolve to meet the increasing public interest.
NPS photo by Arthur Fawcett (EVER 17100)
A young boy fishes in the Everglades with a bamboo pole, circa 1950. Fishing is a popular activity in the park, with snapper, sea trout, redfish, bass, and other species being abundant. Late spring and late fall are considered the best times of year to fish in the Everglades, as fishermen are greeted with mild daytime temperatures and an influx of fish migrating from the north into warmer waters.
NPS photo by Arthur Fawcett (EVER 18960)
A park ranger points out a fascinating feature to a group of Girl Scouts on a nature walk, May 1951. Visitors get to see and experience the more subtle parts of the park on a ranger-led tour, as rangers share their knowledge and highlight aspects that might otherwise be overlooked.
NPS photo by Arthur Fawcett (EVER 18981)
Park rangers have a wide range of knowledge about their park and are happy to answer questions from visitors. Here, a troop of girl scouts and their families get comfortable listening to a ranger’s talk about native plants, May 1951.
NPS photo by Arthur Fawcett (EVER 17103)
The Florida tree snail, Liguus fasciatus, is well known for its brilliant and unique colors and patterns. Because of this, they are sometimes called “the jewel of the Everglades”. Historically, the Florida tree snail was a coveted souvenir, however it is now illegal to remove natural and cultural resources from federal lands.
Last updated: February 20, 2025