Contents

1. The Arcadian Observer. Official paper of the United States Army Balloon School at Arcadia, California. Vol. 1 #1 August 3, 1918 – Vol. 1 #29 February 15, 1919 (Bound)

2. Official Souvenir & Program Balloon School Circus and the Final Edition of The Arcadian Observer, February 22, 1919.

Subjects

The Arcadian Observer. Official paper of the United States Army Balloon School

Location

History Room

Box Number

Box 40

Shelf Number

Shelf B5

Item ID

350AF

Collection

Subject Files

Less detail

Contents

1. The Arcadian Observer. Official paper of the United States Army Balloon School at Arcadia, California. (Miscellaneous single issues) Supplement to The Arcadian Observer, September 1918, was gift from Sierra Madre Public Library on March 17, 2004.

Subjects

The Arcadian Observer. Official paper of the United States Army Balloon School

Location

History Room

Box Number

Box 41

Shelf Number

Shelf B5

Item ID

351AF

Collection

Subject Files

Less detail

Contents

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." Arcadia Tribune, July 1, 1976, page 1.

4. "Observation balloons ruled air." Arcadia Tribune, August 16, 1973.

5. " 'Eyes of Army' look back." Los Angeles Times, September 30, 1966, Part II, page 1.

6. "Veteran balloon pilots." Arcadia News-Post, September 29, 1966.

7. Goddard correspondence, March 22, 1965

8. "Gasbaggers reunion." Arcadia Tribune, October 2, 1966.

9. "Eyes trained at Arcadia." Branding Iron, December 1962, reprint.

10. "Eyes trained at Arcadia," by J.H. Richardson, in manuscript form.

11. "Ross field wrecking rushed." Copies from Alton Green scrapbook.

12. Balloon School personal account. 5 typed sheet.

13. "C-2 is expected." Arcadia Journal, September 23, 1922.

14. "History of Fort Omaha Balloon School. Copies from Omaha newspaper.

15. "Show Ross Field return secured by Hoeppel." Arcadia Tribune, June 2, 1963.

16. "Balloon corps veterans plan." Arcadia Tribune, September 18, 1966.

17. "Earlier days in Los Angeles, about Woodrow Wilson, carrier pigeon." News clip, April 7, 1974.

18. Corps member Cathcart's letter. June 30, 1964.

19. "Earlier days in Los Angeles, about first all night observation trip." June 1969.

20. Photos showing buildings, hospital, and balloons in the air. Arcadian Observer, December 21, 1918, page 19, 31, 60.

21. "Panorama of our new school." Arcadian Observer, August 3, 1918.

22. "The U.S. Army Balloon School." Arcadian Observer, September 1918, supplement.

23. "Swimming pool and clubhouse." Arcadian Observer, September 1918, supplement.

24. Correspondence from Akron-Summit County Public Library. Letter in reply to Balloon School information request, June 5, 1978.

25. Correspondence from the Department of the Army. Letter in reply to Balloon School information request, June 13, 1978.

26. Correspondence between Donald G. Cathcart and the City of Arcadia, 1964.

27. Completion Report Number 1 covering construction of Army Balloon School, October 1, 1918. 40 pages. Purchased from National Archives in 1978.

28. "Arcadia man recalls ballooning days." (Rudolph C. Shosted) Monrovia Journal, April 11, 1974. (Also in Arcadia Tribune, April 11, 1974, p. A2)

29. "Colonel W.N. Hensley, Jr., commanding." Arcadian Observer, September 1918, page 3.

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.

38. The first all night observation trip.

39. "Au revoir Col. Hensley." Arcadian Observer, September 1918, page 6.

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.

Subjects

Balloon School

Item ID

32AF

Collection

Subject Files

Less detail