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.
Fourteen officers on duty in Washington D.C. Only one identified is Capt. Thomas A. Grant, Quartermaster at Ross Field Balloon School in 1919 (on extreme left, front). Identification on back of photo is reversed, given as from within the photo.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Apparently a visitors' time at Ross Field Balloon School. Photo shows balloon aloft with basket suspended. Many people in photo. Closest to camera is left to right: man, boy, and four women. Eucalyptus trees all across background.
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 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.
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.
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.
These two long buildings appear to be buildings at the Balloon School. They have been left from the time that "Lucky" Baldwin's Santa Anita Race Track was on this site. There is considerable snow on San Gabriel Mountains behind.
Goodyear blimp VOLUNTEER is seen stopping at Ross Field Balloon School in 1929. Five automobiles are seen parked and interested spectators are standing nearby. The two large hangars at the extreme west portion of the Balloon School land are seen in background.
Military convoy coming toward camera. First vehicle is passing under branch of a tree. There are six men on it and it appears to be pulling a smaller 4-wheeled vehicle. The second vehicle in convoy appears to be identical to first.
Military vehicle, probably used to hoist and pull down the observation balloons used at Ross Field. Two men stand at the back, one with his arm raised as a signal. The San Gabriel Mountains can be seen VERY faintly in background. Buildings at the Balloon School can be seen on either side of the truck.
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.
Copy of souvenir photo that may have been program cover for something called Flying Circus held February 22, 1919. Shows left to right: [a] bi-plane; [b] parachute and balloon in same shot; [c] balloon being secured by group of men; [d] parachute coming to the ground with group of people watching. [e] ? [f] aerial view of base.
Photo of General John J. Pershing mingling with a group at Ross Field Balloon School. He is accompanied by other officers and there are a number of young boys eager to greet him. Across photo had been written "Balloon School Training" and "1920" and "General Pershing at Arcadia."