Cornplanters

The Cornplanters drum and bugle corps was originally formed in the fall of 1953 as the Chief Cornplanter American Legion (AL) Post 135 drum corps. They were named after a chief of the Seneca Indian nation, John O’Bail, alias “The Cornplanter”.

The corps started with 15 men and made its first appearance in North East in the summer of 1954 and except for a few donations by legionnaires, they were self-supporting. From 1954 to 1957, the Chief AL Post 135 was a parade, exhibition and competitive standstill unit, sporting a snappy uniform consisting of a white jersey, brown pants and white plumed hats. In 1956, they also sponsored their first annual “Spectacle of Music” competition and were crowned the 1957 state “Class C” parade champions.

In 1958, the corps was renamed the Cornplanters and transitioned to the field of competition that year, completing an undefeated standstill competition year. The next season, they increased their field competitive activity, although remaining in the 1959 state convention “Class C” parade division, winning the title. That year, they added a tan-style cadet jacket, gold and brown military sashes and trimmed in gold arrowheads and tassels. They eventually moved up to the “Class B” state level, placing 4^th in 1961, 6^th in 1962 and 7^th in 1963.

The Cornplanters remained competitive over the next two seasons before merging in 1966 with the Black Knights of Salamanca to form the Interstate Cavaliers.

Paul Legault (DCX)

CORPS 1 items

Cornplanters

Cornplanters,Warren,PA,Pin1-Indian(BIV-2.125)AA_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

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