Ellsworth Maine Military Fastest Running Team 1911 Real Photo Postcard

This postcard documents an athletic competition held in Ellsworth, likely Maine, on August 10, 1911. The participants, dressed in period athletic attire, are poised in starting stances for a race. The visible "Hose 5" jersey on one competitor strongly suggests the involvement of a local fire company, indicating the event was possibly a fireman's muster or a related civic sporting event common during the early 20th century. The inscribed "Time 34 ¾" points to a recorded result from the competition.

During this era, fireman's musters were popular community events that blended practical firefighting demonstrations with athletic contests like hose races and ladder climbs. These gatherings were crucial for fostering camaraderie among fire departments and providing public entertainment, reflecting the period's emphasis on local community pride and amateur sports. Such events highlighted the role of volunteer fire companies as both essential public services and vital social institutions.