Arcadia Heritage Museum Revitalize Air Service History

Ross Field focused on training soldiers to use air balloons as scouts for World War One. – Courtesy Photo

By Jonathan Tsou

Air power was a well-contested military strategy during the first half of the 20th century. In 1917, 32 Air Service training camps were established throughout United States, in preparation for World War One.

In Arcadia, the Santa Anita Race Track was transformed into one of the 32 training camps. The airfield, Ross Field, was commanded by Colonel W. M. Hensley and focused on training soldiers to use air balloons as scouts.

The Arcadia Heritage Museum will be adding new photographs of Ross Field to the museum’s permanent collection.

The exhibit’s opening reception will be held on July 23 at 10 a.m. The exhibit will be on preview from July 23 to September 17. Afterwards, it will join the Arcadia Air Balloon World War One permanent exhibit.

Current day, Ross Field is located southwest of the intersection of Santa Anita Avenue and Huntington Drive. – Courtesy Photo

These photographs have not been seen before by the public and have come from the personal collections of the families of balloon observer Hugh Drury and bugler Earl Herzig. Other photographs were collected over time, from various auctions and gifts to the museum.

The opening reception will feature a lecture by Mark Rosenblum titled, “Ross Field: Rediscovering Forgotten History.” Mark Rosenblum is a local historian. Admission is free for all.

Current day, Ross Field is located southwest of the intersection of Santa Anita Avenue and Huntington Drive. It is mostly part of the Santa Anita Golf Course.

The Arcadia Heritage Museum is located at 380 W. Huntington Drive. To support the museum, please visit the newly designed City of Arcadia website: www.arcadiaca.gov.

Special thanks to Dana Hicks, curator at the Arcadia Heritage Museum.

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