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.
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.
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.
Front cover of The Arcadia Observer, Official Publication of the United States Army Balloon School, Arcadia, California. September 1918 Supplement. Artwork by Volkmann, 1918. Negative and print were made for the grant funded Local History Digital Resources Project 2006-2007. A digital image of this photograph is file name: caarpl_110 on LHDRP 2006-2007 Disc 9 of 14. See black box labeled Arcadia History Room Media Box.
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.
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.
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.
Looking SW from mountains north of Arcadia. Major tree-lined street running from mountains south is Santa Anita Avenue. Southernmost tree-lined street cutting across entire middle of photo is Duarte Road. Barracks at the Balloon School can be seen just below Huntington Drive. Notice that Huntington Drive stops just west of the Balloon School, at the Baldwin Ranch. Much of Foothill area was planted to citrus.
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.
Master Sgt. William Bucher sitting at steering wheel of Army vehicle just inside grounds of Ross Field Balloon School. Behind him can be seen tower of Santa Anita Avenue and Huntington Drive.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Page 3 of The Arcadian Observer, Official Publication of the United States Army Balloon School, Arcadia, California. September 1918 Supplement. Reads: Colonel W. N. Hensley Jr. Commanding. Negative and print were made for the grant funded Local History Digital Resources Project 2006-2007. A digital image of this photograph is file name: caarpl_111 on LHDRP 2006-2007 Disc 9 of 14. See black box labeled Arcadia History Room Media Box.