Writer Charles Cooper continues his series of articles called "Memories of Arcadia" with a history and description of the U.S. Army Balloon School that was at Camp Ross (or Ross Field) in Arcadia during World War I. The balloon school was located on the current site of Arcadia County Park.
John M. Huston, a World War I private in the Air Services Signal Corps unit that was here in Arcadia at the Balloon School, gives an account of those experiences.
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.
Aerial view looking northeast across Santa Anita Park toward mountains. Note training track called Anita Chiquita has been added (lower left corner), open grandstand has been added to west of covered stand. Note, too, that work has begun to change Balloon School site to Arcadia County Park. Santa Anita Avenue is tree-lined street running entire width of photo about middle of print.
Photographically reproduced copy of an old newspaper photo taken in 1936 which is an aerial view looking north west over original race track built by Baldwin. In lower right corner can be seen Santa Anita Ave lined with Eucalyptus. On lower left, one can see present Campus Drive. Across top third of photo, one can see Huntington Drive. Note how small the trees are that line the street.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Seated in large military truck are, L-R: Bruno Bucher, Cacelie Bucher Mauch, and Master Sgt. William Bucher, step father of the two young people. Truck is parked just inside the fence of Ross Field Balloon School, and at SW corner of Huntington Drive and Santa Anita. Note: Community Presbyterian Church seen behind them (was later moved to First Ave and Alice Street). Note also, a sign, apparently giving name of base over entry and not readable from this angle.
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.
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."
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.
Photographic print of page 2 of November 23, 1918 issue of THE ARCADIAN OBSERVER, showing a drawing by Robert Sparks, of a female holding a sword and honor roll. Text reads: They died not in vain. Her sons have triumphed again, and may that war torn land o'er which they fought and bled forevermore remain in peace. 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_123 on LHDRP 2006-2007 Disc 10 of 14. See black box labeled Arcadia History Room Media Box.