Only photo in Library Collection showing Free balloon training at Ross Field (all other are fixed). Balloon is some distance off the ground and displays an American flag on the right side.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Shows six balloons inflated and secured just off the ground. Officers and men are in formations beneath the balloons. Buildings and tents of Ross Field are arrayed across photo. Eucalyptus make a row completely across photo. San Gabriel Mountains form backdrop.
Two photographs mounted with one sign on each side. Top photo shows 6 balloons with officers at Ross Field. Sign on left reads:"U.S. Army Balloon School, Arcadia, California". Sign on right reads "Established June 11, 1918."
19 officers are in hangar at Ross Field in Arcadia as part of their training as Reserve Officers Balloon Personnel. J.H. Hoeppel in white shirt is on the right (kneeling). Lt.C.P. Kane, was in charge of the class. He is 4th man from left (next to balloon) in second row.
Roy Knabenshue, who built observation balloons for the U.S. during WWI, displays a model at Ross Field. Roy Knabenshue on left, C.P. Kane, commanding officer, on right.
Aerial view toward the east taken from about over present Club House at Santa Anita Park Race Track. The main street running North/South is Santa Anita Avenue. View shows the oval of Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin's race track in what is currently Arcadia County Park. The buildings would be barracks of Ross Field U.S. Army Balloon School. Duarte Road can be seen coming into photo at right edge of photo near intersection with Santa Anita Avenue. The broad street along left side would be Huntington Drive. Railroad tracks can be seen in lower left corner.
Aerial view looking northeast across Santa Anita Park toward mountains. Note training track called Anita Chiquita has been added (lower left corner), open grandstand has been added to west of covered stand. Note, too, that work has begun to change Balloon School site to Arcadia County Park. Santa Anita Avenue is tree-lined street running entire width of photo about middle of print.
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.