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Arcadia History Collection
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39136 records – page 1 of 1957.

Aerial view south of Balloon School and surrounding part of valley. Large tree-lined street running from center of photo toward lower left edge of photo is Santa Anita. Tree-lined street coming in on right edge of photo about two inches from bottom of photo and intersecting Santa Anita, is Duarte Road. Note wash that at present is just west of Arcadia High School. Rio Hondo Wash runs east to west across middle of photo.

Aerial view south of Balloon School and surrounding part of ...

View east shows two balloons aloft over Arcadia and San Gabriel Valley. It is possible that first river up from bottom of photo is Rio Hondo Wash. Some of trees along Santa Anita appear to be in extreme lower right of photo. Tree-lined street showing in extreme lower left of photo is Duarte Road. Second river coming into photo about five inches up from bottom of photo would be San Gabriel River.

View east shows two balloons aloft over Arcadia and San ...

Maneuvering officer (extreme right) leading about 23 men in readying balloon to take on observers and go aloft. Identification was given by H.F. Paden, August 1978. Mr. Paden was an officer at the Balloon School. Field is totally flat.

Maneuvering officer (extreme right) leading about 23 men in readying ...

Parachute pictured coming down on Balloon School field. San Gabriel Mountains and Chantry Flats Road can be seen in background. Parachutes were used as emergency way to evacuate balloon in case of enemy fire, lightning, etc., according to H.F.Paden.

Parachute pictured coming down on Balloon School field. San Gabriel ...

Four wheel drive truck with Cunningham winch used to get balloon aloft and back down and to keep them anchored. One truck for each balloon and had 1500 meters of heavy cable. Tires of truck were solid rubber. Note: ground line coming from truck near winch. This was to take care of static electricity generated along cable due to telephone in balloon. Information from H.F.Paden, Arcadia resident in 1978, former officer at Balloon School.

Four wheel drive truck with Cunningham winch used to get ...

One balloon in sky (extreme left) and one balloon on ground with approximately 23 men making it secure. High wire fence in foreground. San Gabriel Mountains form background.

One balloon in sky (extreme left) and one balloon on ...

United States Army C-2 Balloon at Ross Field, Arcadia. This was more recent design than the large, floppy ones seen in many of the photos.

United States Army C-2 Balloon at Ross Field, Arcadia. This ...

Balloon apparently being secured on the ground. Approximately 26 men working to secure it.

Balloon apparently being secured on the ground. Approximately 26 men ...

View north toward San Gabriel Mountains. Men of Ross Field Balloon School, holding gondola or basket just coming to the ground or being readied to go aloft.

View north toward San Gabriel Mountains. Men of Ross Field ...

View northwest. Large balloon being held by approximately 15 soldiers, between 2 large tent hangars. Building in the distance has Army YMCA painted on the roof. San Gabriel Mountains in background.

View northwest. Large balloon being held by approximately 15 soldiers, ...

View west. Balloon being held for a lowering or launching maneuver. A small section of white fence shows on left. About 24 men in photo.

View west. Balloon being held for a lowering or launching ...

Balloon company convoy. In evidence is probable mess trailer trucks and what appears to be 6 or 7 regular automobiles. Four men standing by motorcycle, on leftside of photo.

Balloon company convoy. In evidence is probable mess trailer trucks ...

View west. Appears to have been taken a few minutes after photo #162 as it is essentially same scene, but balloon is further down on ground. Approximately 18 men working on holding balloon. San Gabriel Mountains on right side of photo.

View west. Appears to have been taken a few minutes ...

One balloon is secured on left side of photo with approximately 14 men near it. Two men are to the right of this group and are folding what appears to be a large canvas. Three buildings in photo, part of a truck shows to extreme right.

One balloon is secured on left side of photo with ...

Balloon being restrained by about 11 men. An American flag is being raised or lowered from balloon. An automobile is in foreground. One of military winch trucks is on left side of photo.

Balloon being restrained by about 11 men. An American flag ...

Original description, "Balloon about 30 feet off ground. Balloon has round target-like mark on its side. Under balloon is truck with winch and many men participating in restraining it. Overcast day." Revised description 9/7/2017 by Mark Rosenblum, a local Balloon School historian, identifies it as Rockwell Field in San Diego. It is not Arcadia, but he said the men from the Balloon School at Ross Field in Arcadia, went to San Diego to join in on a public display of the balloons.

Original description, "Balloon about 30 feet off ground. Balloon has ...

Appears to have been taken just a few minutes after photo #167. Large balloon with a target-like figure painted on its side is down on the ground and being secured by men. Overcast day.

Appears to have been taken just a few minutes after ...

Photo of balloon apparently descending with men in basket suspended from beneath it. Group of buildings and 2 tents show on left side of photo. Approximately 16 men involved in getting balloon down. Truck also in photo.

Photo of balloon apparently descending with men in basket suspended ...

Almost same scene as photo #169 but taken a few minutes later with balloon touching down. Buildings and 2 tents show on left side of photo. Row of Eucalyptus trees show all across background of photo.

Almost same scene as photo #169 but taken a few ...

Photo shows hangar and large gas tank believed to be on grounds of Ross Field Balloon School. Low buildings show on left and right of hangar.

Photo shows hangar and large gas tank believed to be ...

39136 records – page 1 of 1957.