Black and white photograph of Colonel Bellows of the Minnesota National Guard giving instruction in riot stick usage. Camp Lakeview, Lake City, Minnesota, September, 1918.

Riot stick instruction

Colonel Bellows of the Minnesota National Guard giving instruction in riot stick usage. Camp Lakeview, Lake City, Minnesota, September, 1918. Photograph from Minnesota Historical Society Sound and Visual Collection II.4.

Black and white photograph of Motor Corps vehicles at Camp Lakeview, Lake City, Minnesota, September, 1918.

Motor Corps vehicles

Motor Corps vehicles at Camp Lakeview, Lake City, Minnesota, September, 1918. An estimated $300,000 worth of automobiles were present. Photograph from Minnesota Historical Society Sound and Visual Collection II.4

Black and white photograph of Motor Corpsmen presenting arms at Camp Lakeview, Lake City, Minnesota, September, 1918.

Motor Corpsmen presenting arms

Motor Corpsmen presenting arms at Camp Lakeview, Lake City, Minnesota, September, 1918. Photograph from Minnesota Historical Society Sound and Visual Collection II.4.

Black and white photograph of a column of fours formation at Camp Lakeview, Lake City, Minnesota, September, 1918.

Column of fours

Column of fours formation at Camp Lakeview, Lake City, Minnesota, September, 1918. Photograph from Minnesota Historical Society Sound and Visual Collection II.4.

Black and white photograph of Reviewing officers at Motor Corps encampment, Fairmont, c.1918. (L to R) W.A. Curtis, Edward Karow, unidentified, unidentified, Motor Corps commander, Colonel W.A. Stephens.

Reviewing officers at Motor Corps encampment, Fairmont

Reviewing officers at Motor Corps encampment, Fairmont, c.1918. (L to R) W.A. Curtis, Edward Karow, unidentified, unidentified, Motor Corps commander, Colonel Winfield Stephens. Photograph from Minnesota Historical Society Sound and Visual Collection II.4.

Black and white photograph of Motor Corps officer, Chet Walker, nicknamed "the Army," during a recruiting tour in Red Wing, Minnesota, 1918.

Motor Corps officer, Chet Walker

Motor Corps officer, Chet Walker, nicknamed "the Army," during a recruiting tour in Red Wing, Minnesota, 1918.

Black and white photograph of a Motor Corps airplane about to take off at Camp Lakeview, Lake City, Minnesota, September, 1918.

Motor Corps airplane about to take off

Motor Corps airplane about to take off at Camp Lakeview, Lake City, Minnesota, September, 1918. Photograph from Minnesota Historical Society Sound and Visual Collection II.4.

Black and white photograph of Minnesota Motor Corps officers and color guard at Camp Lakeview, Lake City, Minnesota, September, 1918. Motor Corps commander, Colonel Stephens, is kneeling left of the colors in the light colored tunic.

Minnesota Motor Corps officers and color guard

Minnesota Motor Corps officers and color guard at Camp Lakeview, Lake City, Minnesota, September, 1918. Motor Corps commander, Colonel Stephens, is kneeling left of the colors in the light colored tunic. Photograph from Minnesota Historical Society Sound and Visual Collection II.4.

Black and white photograph of First Battalion, Minnesota Motor Corps Band at Camp Lakeview, Lake City, Minnesota, September, 1918.

First Battalion, Minnesota Motor Corps Band

First Battalion, Minnesota Motor Corps Band at Camp Lakeview, Lake City, Minnesota, September, 1918. Photograph from Minnesota Historical Society Sound and Visual Collection II.4.

Minnesota Motor Corps

The Minnesota Motor Corps was the first militarized organization of its kind in the United States. Made up of volunteers and their vehicles, the corps existed for the duration of World War I. It provided disaster relief, transported troops, and aided police. The Motor Corps’ services proved crucial, but many viewed it as a state-sponsored police force that infringed on the rights of citizens.

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