H. H. Bennett (1843-1908) was a renouned 19th century landscape photographer who used his skills to promote the Wisconsin Dells area. He also  invented the instantaneous shutter, and his studio continues as the oldest in the U.S. His signature photo shows his son in 1886 leaping onto Stand Rock. A German Shepherd now recreates the jump several times a day for the crowds.

The Bennett children with picnic basket atop Stand Rock. The second photo is a 3D image and shows hunters from 1870 (click to enlarge).

This is a picture from 1875 when the studio first opened. Notice the skylight along the roof line.It was fixed to a small building mounted on rollers on a track outside the studio to get maximum light during the day since electricity was not available .All of the apparatus is on display at the Smithsonian.

Elephant Rock is located at Devil’s Lake about 30 miles south of Wisconsin Dells. It was impossible to figure out how that lady got on top in this late 1890s photo.

Devil’s Doorway is also located on Devil’s Lake and is shown here in a 1898 photo.

Demon’s Anvil is in the Upper Dells area and is seen here in a photo from the 1890″s.