The 'Preparedness Parade' symbolized a patriotic movement within the El Paso community that showed local support for World Peace by supporting the United States' entry into World War I. Ergo, the El Paso community was ready to assist with the war effort. The preparedness movement was a national patriotic movement and was not exclusive to El Paso. According to the El Paso Herald June 14, 1916, page 2; "8000 March for Preparedness; Thousands Wave Flags and Cheer - All El Paso Pay Tribute to 'Old Glory on Flag Day; Military Bands Make Stirring Music for the Civilian Marchers; Mayor Lea Leads Parade With His Two Small Sons; Many Firms in Line." Leading the parade was Sergeant Claude Tillman and his squad of men representing the El Paso Police Department; next, Grand Marshal John M. Wyatt and his aides, Lieutenant Eastman and Hecox, both USA; and then Mayor Tom Lea with his sons. Other groups present were: 400 employees from the Popular Dry Goods Company; Civil War Veterans; First Division; Women's Club; the Rotary Club; Doctors; Bankers; and many more.

Postcard from C. A. Cagesen to A. T. Stockdale, writing that someone named Milt Hicks taking her for a ride in an automobile. The front of the postcard features an illustration of a herd of dairy cattle standing in the middle of a dirt road. There are two buildings with tin roofs visible in the background, as well as a group of trees.

Postcard to Mrs. Connie Austin. The sender writes that he has just arrived, that he thinks he will enjoy living in Boerne, Texas, and that he has seen lots of pretty girls. The front of the postcard features a photograph of the Kendall County Fair parking lot, in Boerne, Texas. There is a long row of cars parked on the left side of a large dirt lot. A crow of people stands on the other side of the lot, next to a large building on their right.

Postcard of a streetcar drawn by a mule or donkey. The streetcar is being pulled along a track in the center of a street that is bordered by buildings. The picture shows Matamoros, Mexico across the border from Brownsville, Texas. There is a letter on the back of the postcard addressed to "Miss Maria Sanchy" from "E. M." that reads, "Ni la ausencia y la distancia, ni el tiempo de no [v]erte; por ningunas sircustancias he de dejar de quererte, yours for ever." (Loosely: "Neither the absence and the distance, nor the time since I have seen you; under no circumstances have I stopped loving you.")

Postcard of a fire department with a new motor ladder truck. One fire fighter is at its steering wheel, and the other six are standing along its side. A printed description of the vehicle is provided below the image. On the back of the postcard, the sender has left a handwritten message that says, "Dear Sir, nearly all of our Fire Department is motor driver, I will send them all each time we write & exchange with Chief all over the country. Yours Truly, Henry Woodward."

Postcard of a fire station on a residential street. The station is built like a large, two-story suburban house, with two garage doors at its base on the right. One of the garage doors is labeled, "Chemical."

Postcard from W. B. Johnston to George Pendexter with a newspaper clipping glued to the correspondence section of the card. The clipping describes the technical features of the new "Chemical and hose Motor Car" which has a capacity of "700 gallons of water a minute." Johnston mentions L. D. Smith and a fire on March 25, 1925; Smith is possibly the fireman in the photograph on the reverse side seen going up a ladder into a smoking building.

Postcard from Rose Collins to Harry Bahl with an illustration of a man hugging a woman under an umbrella. This card is the fourth card in a series of six total cards, entitled "Relaxation." The note on the back of the card reads: "but then she has only been here two days and I feel sure there will be more. If you cant pay the damages I'll take it out in board at some distant date."

Postcard of a color image of the Hotel Watt in Waco with several people standing on the street in the foreground and clouds in the sky in the background. Printed on the front of the postcard: "Hotel Watt, Waco, Texas."

Easter postcard with illustrations of a cross and flowers. Text inside of the cross reads: "The good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 10:11." Beneath the cross, it also says: "A Holy Easter." Handwritten message on the back of the postcard inquires about Lou Rayburn's Easter plans.

Postcard of a group of men in suits sitting in rocking chairs in a sun room decorated with palm trees and potted ferns. The message on the back is illegible. The postcard is addressed to "Miss Mamie McFaddin 1141 Third Ave. Huntington, W. Va."

Postcard of a stone church with stained glass windows, described as "First Baptist Church, Beaumont, Texas." The words "Will You?" are pasted on the back of the postcard, along with a message that reads, "Please tell me who he is? H. H. 11-13-11." The postcard is addressed to "Miss Mamie McFaddin Washington D. C. 1906 Florida Ave."

Postcard of a blonde haired boy running down a hill followed by a swarm of bees. "I'm awfully busy," is written on the postcard. The letter on the back is illegible. The postcard is addressed to "Miss Mamie McFaddin Beaumont, Texas."

Postcard of a woman in a yellow dress with a heart drawn around her looking to a small boy with a letter in his quiver. The message on the postcard reads, "Expectation I send to you a message true. Pray be mine own Valentine!" On the back, a message reads "From CMcF + McR." The postcard is addressed to "Miss Mamie McFaddin Gunston Hall Washington D. C."

Postcard of the Sweet Briar Institute's emblem and school song, which is as follows, "Sweet Briar! Sweet Briar! the flower fair The rose that on your crest you wear, Shall never fade but always bear Thy beauty - Oh, Sweet Briar! Sweet Briar! Sweet Briar! thy columns white Shine on the hills, a beacon light Of truth to burn with radiance bright Forever - Oh, Sweet Briar! Sweet Briar! Sweet Briar! we sing to thee; May thy foundations ever be Strong as the hills; thy purity That of thy rose, Sweet Briar!" The letter on the side reads, "Mamie dearest - your letter came to-day and I shall write you to-morrow. Love, love, love for you, Lu." The postcard is addressed to "Miss Mamie McFaddin Gunston Hall N. W. Washington, D. C. 1906 Florida Ave."

Postcard of a steamboat on a river with a smaller row boat nearby. The scene is described as "Neches River "1986,"" The steamboat is labeled "Jack's boat" and the rowboat is labeled "mine." The letter on the back reads, "Spent a very busy day yesterday trying to think "Who's Jack" 10-14-11." The postcard is addressed to "Miss Mamie McFaddin Washington D. C. Gunston Hall."

Postcard showing wagons of cotton and James Alley. Wagon on left has three men sitting on top of cotton. Two men standing in front of second wagon (from left). One man wearing suit and hat, the other dark pants, white shirt, suspenders, tie, and dark hat. BARNES BROS. building in background. Addressed to Mr. R.E. Duncan, Eagle Baker, Texas from Effie.

Copy of a postcard showing wagons of cotton and James Alley. Wagon on left has three men sitting on top, and there are two men standing in front of second wagon (from left). One man wearing suit and hat, the other dark pants, white shirt, suspenders, tie, and dark hat.There are store fronts in background.

Postcard of Physicians' and Surgeons' Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. The image is an illustration of four-story building from the left side, including the lawn and drive up to the building. There are several nurses wearing full length dresses and aprons on the lawn. The back of the postcard includes the printed text, "P. and S. Hospital is a private hospital erected by a number of the very best doctors in the city." and handwritten correspondence. The correspondence is addressed to Mr. [and Mrs.?] Berry, and reads, "Dear [...] [Fanny] and Mildred will be there next Sunday morning if nothing [...]."

Letter and envelope from son Victor Lauderdale to his father J.R. Lauderdale, November 14, 1918. The letter addresses the armistice ending the war and the ensuing celebrations taking place among the civilians and soldiers. Lauderdale relays information on the attitudes of the French, his intentions to explore Europe before coming home and details about his coworkers and job as a bookkeeper.

Postcard of a line of automobiles driving on a road at Camp MacArthur with trees and telephone poles on the left side and barracks on the right side; there are people and more trees and telephone poles visible in the background. Printed on the front of the postcard: "Section 'G'. Camp MacArthur Waco, Texas." There is a handwritten note on the back of the postcard.

Postcard depicting a parade celebrating the war effort. The Preparedness Parade was a part of a movement by Theodore Roosevelt to strengthen the military after the beginning of World War I. During this time the United States also supported the revolutionary forces in the Mexican Revolution.

Postcard depicting a parade celebrating the war effort. The Preparedness Parade was a part of a movement by Theodore Roosevelt to strengthen the military after the beginning of World War I. During this time the United States also supported the revolutionary forces in the Mexican Revolution.

Postcard depicting a parade celebrating the war effort. The Preparedness Parade was a part of a movement by Theodore Roosevelt to strengthen the military after the beginning of World War I. During this time the United States also supported the revolutionary forces in the Mexican Revolution.