RARE ORIGINAL c.1916-1917 INDIANA CIVILIAN MILITARY TRAINING PANORAMIC PHOTO For Sale

Offered here is an exceptional original Indiana military/preparedness-era panoramic photograph dating to approximately 1916-1917.
Shows 19 men with rifles and APPROX. 17 MEN IDENTIFIED/SIGNED ON REVERSE — WWI PREPAREDNESS ERAThe photograph measures approximately 22 inches long by 10 inches tall and depicts a group of armed civilian military trainees posed at a tent encampment. Several men wear military campaign hats, leggings and equipment, while others retain civilian hats, shirts, neckties and clothing — an outstanding visual representation of America's civilian military preparedness/training movement immediately before and during U.S. entry into World War I.Of particular importance is the prominent placard at the center reading:"INDIANA CIVILIAN"IDENTIFICATIONS / SIGNATURES:The reverse contains approximately 17 period handwritten names, signatures and/or hometowns/addresses. Based upon examination and research, they appear to include:John F. Gorsuch — Cromwell, Indiana
Royal E. Fowler — Indianapolis
Jackson McCoury
W. E. Somers — Terre Haute, Indiana
Will O. Jerico/Jericho — Indianapolis
Paul H. Bridges — Lafayette, Indiana
Wendell W. Chaffin — Fort Wayne, Indiana
Charles C. Clark — Indianapolis
M. Steele / Steele B. Churchman — Indianapolis
Frank M. Ouras — Noblesville, Indiana
O. F. Bart — Mitchell, Indiana
F. J. Morgan — Indianapolis
W./V. Ruthruff — Elkhart, Indiana
M. G. Henley — Indianapolis
E. C. Ball — Indianapolis
James W. Hurt — Indianapolis
Samuel M. Fry — Evansville, IndianaSome names, initials, spellings and addresses are difficult to decipher and are offered as our best transcription only. Please examine the photographs and conduct your own research.HISTORICAL CONTEXT:Research dates the photograph to the World War I preparedness/training era, approximately 1916-1917. The men represent communities throughout Indiana, strongly suggesting a statewide Indiana civilian training group rather than a single local military company.Fort Benjamin Harrison near Indianapolis was closely associated with Indiana military training during this period. Civilian training camps were planned there for 1916, although contemporary reporting indicates the 1916 citizens' camp plans were canceled when the fort was required for Indiana militia mobilization during the Mexican Border crisis.Fort Benjamin Harrison subsequently became a major World War I training and mobilization center in 1917, including officer and specialized training camps.Because no definitive roster or contemporary caption has yet been located matching all of these men, WE ARE NOT REPRESENTING THIS PHOTOGRAPH AS DEFINITIVELY TAKEN AT FORT BENJAMIN HARRISON.It is being accurately offered as an Indiana civilian military/preparedness group photograph, circa 1916-1917, with the exact camp/location remaining an area for further research.WHY THIS EXAMPLE IS SPECIAL:• Large-format original panoramic photograph, approx. 22" x 10"
• Circa 1916-1917 WWI preparedness era
• "INDIANA CIVILIAN" placard prominently displayed
• Armed civilian trainees with rifles and military equipment
• Outstanding mixture of civilian and military clothing
• Tent encampment visible behind group
• Approximately 17 period identifications/signatures on reverse
• Men represented from Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Terre Haute, Lafayette, Evansville, Elkhart, Noblesville, Mitchell, Cromwell and elsewhere
• Excellent Indiana / Indianapolis / WWI / military / genealogy research pieceCONDITION:Original antique photograph showing age-related wear consistent with a photograph over 100 years old. Please carefully examine all listing photographs for condition, edge wear, creasing, fading, staining, mounting/framing condition and other imperfections. Photographs form an important part of the condition description.No attempt has been made to clean, restore or alter the photograph.IMPORTANT RESEARCH DISCLAIMER:Dating, name transcriptions and historical context are based upon examination and historical research and are provided in good faith. The photograph itself is original; however, the exact date, camp, military organization and location have not been conclusively established.The Fort Benjamin Harrison association is presented as historical context and a possible area for further research, NOT as a confirmed attribution.A fascinating and highly researchable piece of Indiana and early WWI-era civilian military history with unusually extensive period identification.Please review all photographs carefully before purchasing.Shipping and insurance is included with your purchase price.This is a rare over 100 year old Civilian Military Photo