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.
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.
Looking east over barracks and main building at Ross Field. Tree-lined street cutting across photo at far side of field is Santa Anita Avenue. The oval of the race track built by E.J."Lucky" Baldwin and which opened in 1907 can clearly be seen on right. Broad E/W street seen on far left is Huntington Drive.
View northeast over Pacific Electric Railroad. Ross Field Balloon School occupies portion on right side of photo over to the railroad tracks. The street marking its northern boundary would be Huntington Drive. The large rectangle just north of this street was Rancho Resevoir, converted into a swimming pool. The principal street marking east boundary of Balloon School property running north to south across this photo about at middle, is Santa Anita Avenue.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
Clara Baldwin Stocker on the right with an unidentified woman standing behind a mock railroad car bearing a sign which reads, "LUNA SPECIAL." Very light handwriting on right side appears to read, "May 29, 1913 or 1918"
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.
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.
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.
Photo of dignitaries at the dedication of plaque marking site of Ross Field. Man on extreme right is ex-Congressman John Hoeppel who was most responsible for securing land for Los Angeles County Park. Others in photo not identified.
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.