Historical Portrait
John Lindner (World War I, Tulare County)
Archive record
Historical portrait of John Lindner from Tulare County, California, taken in 1914 during the World War I era. Public domain photograph from archives.
About this photograph
The archive record identifies this as a portrait of John Lindner from Tulare County, taken in 1914. The date falls within the First World War era, though the United States did not enter the conflict until April 1917.
Tulare County lies in California's San Joaquin Valley, a farming region that grew through irrigated agriculture in the late nineteenth century. The county library maintains a large local history photograph collection focused on ordinary residents, families, schools and businesses rather than public figures.
When America entered the war, Selective Service registered millions of men for military service. Local photography studios found steady work making portraits of enlistees in uniform before they departed. Many of these portraits were made specifically so families could keep a copy at home. County historical collections throughout the United States hold large numbers of these photographs, often the only formal portrait a young man ever sat for.
The photograph's creator is unknown. It is held by the Internet Archive as part of material digitised through California Revealed, a statewide programme that makes holdings from California libraries, archives, museums and historical societies publicly available online.
Compiled from the catalogue record and reference notes on the formats and events involved. The archive record above is the primary source.
Rights & Attribution
Explore
More from the 1910s
