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.
Apparently another view taken on visitors' day at Ross Field (as in photo #176). In this photo, balloon is on the ground with basket. Military truck shows on right side of photo with a sign marked "4" in front of truck. Group of people on left; small girl in checkered blouse is closest figure.
Photo of swimming pool which apparently was enlisted men's pool located approximately where Bekins Storage is today (1970's, at 35 W. Huntington Drive). Mr. H.F.Paden, an officer stationed at Ross Field in 1919, says there was another officer's pool of field stone in what is now county park.
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.
View across swimming pool built for the men of Ross Field Balloon School by Anita Baldwin and the community. It was on possibly opening day as there are throngs of guests looking on. This was located where present parking lot of Elks building is located. H.F.Paden in 1978 told us there was also a pool formed of stone in what is now County Park area which was an officers' pool.
View of main Ross Field post headquarters buildings. There are 2 men walking at extreme left of photo. There is a flagpole at left side of photo. There is a car parked in front of post headquarters building.
Large balloon being brought under control by group of approximately 30 men. There is also one of trucks used for these captive balloons. On right is the framing of an unfinished hangar.
Aerial view, apparently looking northeast, of major portion of Ross Field. Four large barracks-type buildings are along in a row in foreground. There are two other rows of buildings, with flag pole in third row of buildings. Large stand of eucalyptus across background.
Rudolph C. Shosted, now 79, recalls his time spent at the Army's observation balloon school, located where the Los Angeles County Park golf course now is.
1. "Making charts of air currents." Arcadia Journal, June 21, 1919. 2. "Mercury Flights Through Cloudland (1917)." Advertising brochure for sightseeing flights. One of the attractions was the Balloon School. Copied from the original owned by Sid Platford. 3. "Veteran recalls balloon field." Ar…
1. "Making charts of air currents." Arcadia Journal, June 21, 1919.
2. "Mercury Flights Through Cloudland (1917)." Advertising brochure for sightseeing flights. One of the attractions was the Balloon School. Copied from the original owned by Sid Platford.
30. "Airships tracked enemy from Arcadia balloon base." Arcadia Tribune, January 26, 1978.
31. Copies of photos with designation of various sections of base.
32. "Major Max Fleischman." Arcadian Observer, October 5, 1918.
33. "The Arcadia Balloon School, 1918." Western States Jewish Historical Quarterly, October 1980. Photo with lengthy caption.
34. "Ross Field does fadeout." Los Angeles Times, November 15, 1933, Part I , page 6.
35. "Close blind pig at once!" Hensley blind pigs is slang for speak easy or illegal operation, and referred to a need to clean them up if Balloon School is to be here. Arcadia Journal, June 8, 1918.
36. "Arcadia will be aircraft center." Arcadia Journal, September 28, 1918.
37. Correspondence regarding archival holdings on Balloon School in National Archives, June 16, 1978.
40. Recollection of Mr. John Milton Huston, stationed here at 21.
41. "The post band." Arcadia Observer, November 9, 1918, page 6.
42. "Balloons re-enter the wars." News clip, October 7, 1951, possibly from an Omaha publication.
43. "Airborne 'elephants' once inhabited Arcadia's skies." Fedco Reporter, May 1988, by J.D. Carroll.
44. "Observer." Arcadian Observer, September 1918, page 19.
45. "New commander in charge of Arcadia." Arcadian Observer, January 4, 1919, page 8.
46. "First American Balloon Officer to die in action." (Lt. Cleo J. Ross) Arcadian Observer, November 2, 1918, page 27.
47. "Two balloon men killed by bomb." Arcadia Journal, September 28, 1918.
48. "Balloon School awaits on order." Arcadia Journal, March 30, 1918.
49. Sample of letterhead stationery from Balloon School.
50. "L.A. Scene - The City then and now." Balloon School/Arcadia County Park. Los Angeles Times, December 20, 1993, page B3.
51. "Officers to have a camp at Arcadia." Temple Times, June 26, 1924.
52. "Pioneer 'Birdman' recalls balloon exploits in Pasadena area." Arcadia man won fame in flying dirigible. Pasadena Star News, March 16, 1952.
53. "Ross Field use known June 1." News clip, May 8, 1929.
54. " Ross Field bill voted by houses." News clip, March 4, 1933.
55. "Ross Field Parks Project near vote by County leaders." Pasadena Star News, May 14, 1933.
56. "Ross Field purchase is urged on Council." News clip, May 18, 1933.
57. "Ross Field planned to become new park as County gets deed." News clip, August 1, 1935.
58. "Ross Field betterment approved." News clip, August 2, 1935.
59. "Ross Field to harbor zeppelin and Ross Field hangar leased as zeppelin assembling center." News clip, no date.
60. "Air planes gather at Ross Field for zeppelin activities." News clip, May 22, 1929. "Pilots will be trained at Ross." News clip, May 22, 1929. "Light tests on way at Ross site." News clip, May 18, 1929.
61. "U.S. returns Ross Field as sports center." News clip, June 11, 1935.
62. "Army School Ross Field Project." News clip, June 24, 1930.
63. "Park agreed at balloon field site." News clip, July 3, 1935.
64. "$55,655 price decision near on Ross Field." News clip, May 17, 1933. "Senate passes Arcadia Bill." Los Angeles Times, 1933.
65. "Set date for zeppelin to take air." News clip, May 28, 1929.
66. "Dirigible's keel laid at Ross." News clip, May 20, 1929.
67. "Group backs Ross Field measure." News clip, January 24, 1933.
68. "Senate passes balloon camp land transfer." News clip, February 10, 1933.
69. 1996 Heritage Calendar by Chino Valley Bank. Includes photos of U.S. Army Balloon Corp station.
70. "Today and yesterday of the Arcadia Balloon School Field." Pasadena Star News, July 4, 1931.
71. Copies of photos of Ray Walters, stationed at the Balloon School. Photo and article regarding the first annual picnic, June 1938.
72. Copy of photo #186.
73. "Army's biggest balloon school coming here." Los Angeles Times, March 13, 1916, Part II, page 1.
74. First draft chapter on Ross Field, by Arcadia resident John Irwin.
75. "Balloon Work Conditions Better, Y.M.C.A. Outpost is Established at Stocker Field, Officers Will Play Ball Tonight at Balloon Camp." Pasadena Star News, July 18, 1918.
76. World War I Heroes Remembered : Cleo J. Ross. Written by Ken Hudnut. (Internet article)
77. California Aviation History : The Army Balloon School, Ross Field, Arcadia, California, by Richard DesChenes. From the California State Military Department, California Military Museum. http:www.militarymuseum.org/BalloonSch.html
78. "Pasadena Public Library does bit for soldiers." Collection of books is provided for the military camp of the Seventh California regiment of guardsmen at Arcadia. Pasadena Star News, May 19, 1917, p. 13.
79. Overseas Army nurse, Grace Thompson, has been assigned to the post hospital at the United States Army Balloon School at Arcadia. Pasadena Star News, May 21, 1919, p. 11
80. "Heads For Camp in City." Thirty officers arrive from Fort Dodge, Iowa to take balloon duty in Arcadia. Many live in Arcadia. Lieutenant Colonel W.N. Hensley will host a dinner for his staff at Hotel Huntington. Pasadena Star News, Monday April 1, 1918.
81. "Tents Erected at Balloon Campsite." Seven tents for thirty men from the United States Army signal corps have been erected on the site of the new balloon station on the Baldwin Ranch in Arcadia. Pasadena Star News, April 4, 1918.
82. "May Give Up Camp Plans." Rumors from Washington say balloon station is not needed, decision will come soon, war department to meet with Los Angeles representatives. Pasadena Star News, April 9, 1918.
83. "Sale of Ross Field is Vetoed." War Department's wire stops sale of Ross Field to any private individual or municipality, government will reserve tract for other training. Pasadena Star News, April 13, 1927.
84. "Fire Plan Revision is Foresters' Job." Forest guards, patrolmen and registrars to complete training at Ross Field in Arcadia before fire season begins. Pasadena Star News clipping April 24, 1929.
85. "Forest fire work to be given trial. Rangers to carry out training program." The annual forest rangers' training school will be in session for two days at Ross Field, Arcadia. Pasadena Star News clipping, April 30, 1929.
86. Gallery Guide to Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum Exhibit, November 2005-January 2006. Exhibit called "War Department, Department of Military Aeronautics, Army Balloon School." Contains history of Balloon School.
87. Named "Ross Field" for Lieutenant Cleo J. Ross, killed in France. The Atlanta Constitution, May 23, 1919.
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.
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.
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.