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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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."
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 (we do not known which direction camera is looking) of Goodyear blimp VOLUNTEER when it stopped at Ross Field Balloon School. About 11 people seen to be gathered near it. On right side of photo is a long barracks-like building.
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 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.
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.
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.