July 6, 1919
The San Francisco Examiner,
San Francisco, California,
Sun • Page 44
DRIVE STARTS TO GET CITY AIR STATION
W. L. Hughson Agitating to Get Aerodrome at Site Selected at Marina by Experts.
With the progress aviation is making, San Francisco should be the first large city to erect a municipal aerodrome. This is the plan that William L. Hughson, local automotive dealer, is now agitating.
A piece of land has been set aside at the Marina, for the landing of aeroplanes, but in the judgment of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, the famous aviator, and Karl Cooper, the distributor of Curtis planes, this site is unsafe if a forced landing is necessary, owing to the high power wires that are now strung on one side and the close proximity of the waters of the bay on the other.
To satisfy himself that such was the case, Hughson at the urging of Rickenbacker, made two flights in a Curtis plane last Saturday, which showed the impossibility of making a safe landing. The first was low. The other, at an altitude of 2,500 feet, showed that only a landing from the east was possible, and that in an emergency a landing from any other direction was fraught with grave danger.
IDEAL SITE FOUND.
A new municipal aerodrome could be built with little expense on a plot of ground south of the present site, that would be ideal for such a purpose. It is already leveled and with the erection of a few hangers, this city could boast of being the first large city to aid aeronautics.
Already Fresno, Modesto. Sacramento and several other small cities have made provision for housing visiting aeroplanes. This city should show the same progressiveness.
That the use of aeroplanes is growing rapidly in this state is borne out in the fact that Cooper has within the short period of six weeks disposed of fourteen aeroplanes which will be used in this section of the state, not only for pleasure, but for commercial purposes as well.
AIR MAIL NEAR.
The erection of an aerodrome would permit San Francisco to boast of an aviation field within ten minutes of the heart of the city, which is not the case of any other aviation field in the country.
Aside from the favorable attention that such an aerodrome would attract, it would be a big step forward. It is a foregone conclusion that it will only be a matter of a few months before the aero mail service will be extended to the coast and with a safe aviation field established, San Francisco would be in a position to take advantage of this aero-mail terminal.
Hughson is bending every effort to bring about this venture, realizing the enormity of the future of aeroplanes, and what an important part they will play in the transportation world of the future.
SEES BIG FUTURE.
Rickenbacker, who recently returned from Europe, had an unusual opportunity to learn of the progress made there in this field. In his address before the members of the Motor Car Dealers Association of this city, he gave many intimate details of the numerous plans that were under way for the rapid development of the aeroplane business.
Not the least of these was is prophecy that stations will be erected all over the country, where through the aid of wireless telephones, those in the air will be informed of their position and location, in the same manner as the automobile of the present day receives his information from road signs.
July 9, 1919
The San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco, California, Wed • Page 11
SITE WANTED TO START MAIL PLANES HERE
Gen. Menoher Calls on Mayor and Supervisors to Provide Ground for Landing Place
Civic Leaders Working to Make City a Center for Military and Private Aviation Enterprise
Mayor Rolph will receive today communication from General Menoher, chief of the aero service of the Army, asking for the co-operation of San Francisco in establishing a first-class landing place and aero plane hangars. No estimate of expense is made. The communication of General Menoher gives specific details of what the city will have to supply to secure the co-operation of the Government in establishing this station. It will be used by the army, the postal service and private flyers.
TWO SITES AVAILABLE.
Two good sites are open in San Francisco, according to Lieutenant George B. Fredell of the air service and others. Of these the better is a portion of the site of the Panama Pacific Exposition. Another good site, which does not have the advantage of water communication, is the property south of Sloat Boulevard beyond the Twin Peaks tunnel. Sites owned by Fair heirs.
These opinions are upheld by Captain L. Pickering, formerly of the air service, Eddie Rickenbacker and others who have made a survey of many suggested sites.
About 70 per cent of the Exposition site is owned by the Oelrichs and Vanderbilt families, the Fair heirs. About 28 per cent of it is owned by the Law brothers. The Laws will do anything within reason to further the project and so will the Fair heirs, according to Frank F. deLisle, who recently discussed the question of an aero site with the owners of the property.
CONFERENCE IS HELD.
All these facts developed at an informal conference held at the Commercial Club yesterday, attended by George C. Boardman and Robert N. Lynch, representing the Chamber of commerce; Marshall Hale, representing the Panama Pacific Exposition, which owns some of the property affected; Supervisors Kortick; and Welch; W. F. Benedict representing Mayor Rolph; S. H. Bibbero and John H. Murray, representing the Pacific Aero Club; Lieutenant Fredell, representing the army; Captain Pickering, representing the flying men of San Francisco; and F. F. deLisle, representing property owners.
This was a preliminary meeting to start action for a proper aero terminal, and for two hours the subject was threshed out. Lieutenant Fredell said that formally, he could present only the letter of General Menoher, in behalf of Colonel Arnold, now in San Diego.
WITHIN HALF HOUR'S RIDE.
Here is what the United States asks, so that landing may be made from any direction:
San Francisco to provide the land; the air service and the post office department to co-operate in establishing the station. No dealing between the United States and; private individuals is allowed.
The field must be within half an hour's ride of the heart of the city; it must be adjacent to a good highway and must be near city car lines.
It must have electric light, water supply and sewerage.
It must be where it is not likely to be shut in by future building operations.
The land must be rectangular or square and admit of a 600-yard run along the ground; it must be free of surrounding obstacles like telegraph and telephone and high tension wires.
The next step to be taken will be to ask the Supervisors to appoint a committee to make arrangements for the ground. Supervisor Kortick stated that the city is not now in, position to pay out any funds, but he did not doubt that if satisfactory arrangements were made with all landowners, the city might take a lease with an option to purchase.
Tenders of sites will be asked from anybody who has land to offer that will comply with the conditions.
De Lisle agreed to sound out the owners of the Exposition site and ascertain, unofficially, on what basis they would deal with the city. Propositions can come from anybody.
The site thoroughly discussed yesterday is bounded on the north by Lewis street on the east by Webster street on the south by Bay street and on the west by Scott street
FOUR FIELDS IN CALIFORNIA.
First-class fields are for the present to be restricted to the following cities between San Francisco and New Orleans by the government all of these cities being on proposed air routes, both for military and postal purpose: San Francisco, Fresno, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Yuma, Phoenix, Tucson, Columbus N. M., Oklahoma City, El Paso, Beaumont Texas, Texarkana, Flatonia Texas, Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
July 10, 1919
Vol. 6 No. 28 p.242 San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
GOVERNMENT PLANS FOR AIRCRAFT STATIONS AND TERMINALS DISCUSSED
Meeting of Interested Civilians and Army Representatives Called by Chamber
As a result of conferences held by officials of the Chamber of Commerce with Col. H. H. Arnold, Aviation Officer of the Western Department, U. S. A., a meeting was held on Tuesday last in the San Francisco Commercial Club, at which full discussion was had of tentative plans for the location of aircraft stations and terminals, with particular reference to the claims of San Francisco in this connection.
Col. Arnold was called out of town just prior to the meeting and was represented by Lieut. George B. Fredell, who outlined the plans which have been made by the head of the Air Service in Washington. Arrangements have been made to locate stations throughout the country in the various large cities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles. The routes and stations will be used jointly by the Army and Post Office departments. - It was stated that this service will only be established in the cities, providing the municipalities provide landing places of the right size and location, without charge to the government. There will be furnished hangars, which must be kept up by the cities named as stations or terminals; also air planes for flying and training purposes under the auspices of the Government.
Lieut. Fredell quoted the foregoing facts from a letter from the Chief of the Air Service, which letter was subsequently presented to the Mayor as head of the City Administration.
From the discussion, it developed that the only available site at the present time is the ground south of the Marina, including the Marina from the Yacht Harbor east to Buchanan Street and the land lying immediately south of there.
W. F. Benedict, Asst. Secretary to the Mayor and Supervisors Welch and Kortick, all being present, signified their intention of recommending to the Mayor that a committee be appointed to handle the matter for San Francisco. Robert Newton Lynch and George C. Boardman promised the fullest cooperation on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, and the balance of those present, which included representatives of the Pacific Aero Club, the daily papers and the business interests, voiced united support for the project.
Following is a full list of those who participated in the conference:
Sidney L. Bibbero, of the Pacific Aero Club.
Mr. Pickering, Mr. Daniels and Mr. Lapworth of the Bulletin.
Lieut. Fredell, representing Col. Arnold.
R. B. Hale, of Hale Brothers.
Supervisors J. C. Kortick and R. J. Welch.
W. F. Benedict, Asst. Secretary to the Mayor.
John N. Murray, former U. S. Army Aviator and President of Local Organization of Service Men.
Frank B. DeLyle.
Mr. Nichols, of the Chronicle.
Mr. Swint, of the Call Post.
Mr. Scott, of the Examiner.
Mr. Lynch and Mr. Boardman, of the Chamber.
July 17, 1919
"CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO MUNICIPAL RECORD", Vol. XII, No. 29, page 1
At the meeting of the Board of Supervisors last Monday afternoon steps were taken to secure landing places for various aircraft that may hereafter sail the sky and engage in transcontinental and across the seas traffic. It is expected that in the near future this city will be a terminal for various lines of air vehicles and landing places must be provided. A resolution was adopted authorizing the Public Welfare Committee and additional citizens to be appointed by the Mayor to investigate all proposed sites and take such steps as may be necessary to secure their early location. The Committee on Lighting was requested to ascertain the cost of illuminating the Marina so as to make it safe for night landing of airships and the Finance Committee was requested to appropriate $1000 for improving the site and to erect signs so as to promote public safety.
July 18, 1919
The San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco, California, Fri • Page 7
ROLPH NAMES S.F. AIRPORT COMMITTEE
Representative Body of Citizens to Investigate and Report on Subject of Municipal Landing
Marina Inadequate, Even for Present Needs, and Larger Open Space Will Be Sought
The second official step toward securing a commodious landing place for aeroplanes of all kinds was taken yesterday by Mayor Rolph when he appointed an airport committee to investigate and report on the subject.
While the Marina has been officially designated by the Board of. Supervisors as the municipal landing place, it is recognized that it is inadequate and a makeshift.
Whether it is the duty of the city to provide a landing place or whether this should be left to private enterprise, what means the city has for securing sufficient land, and where such a landing place should be located, are some of the questions the committee will be asked to determine.
MARINA DANGEROUS.
Airmen have told the Supervisors that electric wires in the vicinity of the Marina and its rectangular shape make it exceedingly dangerous for heavy machines. While on the bay side there is plenty of room, this is only of assistance to hydroplanes.
On foggy days, it is said, it would be impossible to make a landing there, as there is not room enough in which to maneuver when near enough to see the ground.
Such suggestions as have come to the Mayor's office from governmental and private sources have indicated that a space of at least thirty acres, level and square, is necessary for a proper landing place.
A representative from the city of Fresno called at the Mayor's office several days ago and raised the question as to whether it was incumbent upon a city to provide a landing place.
"Most of the land in the vicinity of Fresno," he said, "is under cultivation and very valuable. Still, we have been requested by the postal authorities to provide a site. Why should the city provide a site for a mail aeroplane landing any more than a post office?
Similar communications have been accumulating and will be turned over to the committee having the work
PERSONNEL OF COMMITTEE.
Mayor Rolph will be honorary chairman, but has appointed Supervisor J. C. Kortick, as active head of the committee, which is as follows:
Arnold. Col. H. H.
Boardman, George C.
Bibbero, Sidney S.
Benedict, William F.
Cumberson, Perry L.
Carroll, Frank E.
Crothers, R.A.
Deas??, Cornelius J.
Dey Liale, Frank
Garhard, George W.
Gallagher, Andrew J.
Hale, R.B.
Hocks, Oscar
Hughson, William L
Jayne, Rear Admiral J. L.
McLeran, Ralph
McLean, Eugene
Mooser, Louis
Mulvihill, Joseph
McGovern, Margaret
McDonald, Frank C.
Neylan, John F.
Nelson, Charles A.
O’Connell, John A.
Peter, William T.
Pickering, Major Loring
Santon, Charles S.
Welch, Richard J.
Wolfe, Edward I.
Young, John P
July 19, 1919
The San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco, California , Sat • Page 3
NEED FOR AIR STATION HERE ADVANCED
Resolution Adopted Calling on Government to Extend Its Mail Service From Ogden to City
Rear Admiral Jayne Promises Co-Operation and Civic Body Also Agrees to Give Assistance
San Francisco's Airport Committee, at its initial meeting: In the City Hall yesterday, adopted resolutions requesting- the Federal Government to extend the aerial mail service from Ogden to this city.
Supervisor John C. Kortick was chosen permanent chairman of the committee, with Major Loring Pickering vice chairman, S. S. Bibbero secretary and Miss Margaret McGovern recording secretary.
Colonel H. H. Arnold of the United States Air Service explained the importance of providing an air port for San Francisco and the necessity of selecting good landing places. Rear Admiral J. L. Jayne promised co-operation to the committee with aerial experts and material, and George C, Boardman, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce, also pledged support.
During the discussion on the Ogden to San Francisco mail service, a letter was read from the Postmaster General. The letter said that until more money is appropriated by Congress, it is doubtful whether the service can be extended to the Pacific Coast.
It was the opinion of the meeting that civic and municipal organizations, boards of supervisors, newspapers and others should join hands in spurring Congress to early action.
"From Ogden to San Francisco is a matter of five hours and twenty minutes by aeroplane," said S. S. Bibbero, secretary of the. Pacific Aero Club. "It is the most difficult and slowest part of the entire train journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific. I believe the Government will see the necessity for connecting up this last link immediately."
A telegram was read announcing that Postmaster General Burleson had made the 2-cent postage good for the aeroplane service wherever it has been established in this country.
To begin the work of obtaining a proper landing place and working out other plans, it was decided to divide the responsibilities between five committees, which are to be ways and means, site, equipment, laws and regulations and publicity.
A majority of the committee on site will consist of expert flyers, with two real estate men acting in an advisory capacity.
Colonel Arnold, in charge of the Western Department air service, made the suggestion that expert flyers should also be on the committee to formulate rules governing the handling of aeroplanes.
July 20, 1919
The San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco, California, Sun • Page W13
Airport Committee Selects Army Expert
Lieutenant Cumberpatch, of the U. S. Aerial Service, has been chosen by the Citizens' Committee on Airport to act as army expert in selecting a landing place for San Francisco. Yesterday he made an extended flight over the city and its environs for the purpose of photographing spots which appeared favorable for the purpose.
Owners of available sites are requested to communicate with S. S. Bibbero, secretary of the Airport Committee, 915 Monadnock Building.
July 25, 1919
The San Francisco Examiner
San Francisco, California, Fri • Page 4
SIX SITES FOR AERODROMES ARE INSPECTED
Local Committee Visits Proposed Airplane Landing Places to Choose Best Public Field
The task of selecting San Francisco's public aerodrome and landing site for airplanes was begun yesterday. The inspection committee appointed by Mayor Rolph made an automobile tour of the suggested locations and on the trip six properties were viewed in widely separated parts of the city.
The committee is limited in its choice to spots that must present an adequate area, freedom from obstacles, accessibility from the heart of the city and minor considerations of fogs and winds. The advantages of each site will be carefully weighed and the inspection committee will report to the general committee, which will make its recommendations to Mayor Rolph.
Following a conference held in the offices of Major Loring Pickering yesterday afternoon the committee composed of Major Pickering. Sidney S. Bibbero, secretary of the Pacific Aero Club: Supervisor John C, Kortick, Louis H. Mooser and Lieutenant J. T. Cumberpatch of the United States air service; Lee R. Jacobson and George C. Boardman, went over the sites, weighing their respective merits.
- The first site inspected was Hunters Point, bounded by Gerrold avenue, Keith street, McKim avenue and Hawes street This has an elevation of 400 feet, is free of wires and at an elevation which makes it an easy landing place.
- A tract of 317 acres, bounded by Forty-seventh avenue. Thirty-first avenue, Quintara and Kirkham streets, was next inspected.
- Careful examination was then given to St Mary's College tract of 56 acres,
- and also to the Marina, owned by the Oelrichs-Vanderbilt Interests and Herbert E. Law.
- Tracts at Bay View and at Sloat boulevard and Nineteenth avenue were also inspected.
The committee will rate these properties in their respective values as an aerial depot and will then report to the general committee. The committee, through the Pacific Aero Club, yesterday wired Congressman Kahn, urging him to back Senator New’s bill, which provides for a separate air service. This bill, according to a telegram received by Secretary Bibbero of the Aero Club, is safe in the Senate but cannot pass unless Representative Kahn backs it in the House.
May 21, 1920
San Francisco Chronicle,
San Francisco, California, Fri • Page 11
OWNERS NOTIFY CITY TO VACATE MARINA LANDS
McLeran Refers Matter to Citizens Airport Committee Chairman
Through their attorneys McKinstry, Taylor, Patterson, & Ellis of Washington D. C., Mrs. W. K. Vanderbilt Jr., Mrs. Herman Oelrichs and Mrs. Edward Law have called upon the city of San Francisco to terminate its occupation of that part of the Marina bounded by Webster, Divisadero, Bay and Tonquin streets.
Since the inception of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition this tract has been held in a sort of trust by the city on a form of lease terminable by either party at notice agreed upon. This notice has now been served by the owners of the land.
Acting Mayor Ralph McLeran yesterday sent an answer to the owners’ attorneys notifying them that the matter had been referred to Supervisor R. J. Welch as chairman of the Citizens’ Airport Committee, the use of the Marina tract having been considered as a possible aerial depot.
DEMAND CAUSES SURPISE
The demand for a Vacation of the Marina by the owners carried no explanation and came as a surprise to city officials who said yesterday that arrangements had been under way for the erection of hangars there to accommodate the transcontinental mail planes, service by which is scheduled to begin about September 1. The city has paid $6500 for leveling the land but has refused to pay taxes on the property.
That the owners of the property will entertain a proposition for the maintenance by the city, was indicated in a statement yesterday by Earl Pooler manager for Mrs. Law.
“We have no desire to prevent the coming of the aerial mail,” said Pooler, ‘but the city has drifted along without making any business-like agreement for the use of the Marina.”
OTHER SITE POSSIBLE
Indications that the city is considering a site in the Bay View district for the transcontinental plane terminal is shown in the trip there yesterday of Supervisor Welch of the Airport committee and Judge M. L. Sullivan of the city planning committee.
“There is a large section of the land in the Bay View district that will make an ideal landing place,” said Judge Sullivan. “It is protected from the bad winds and there is much less fog there than in other parts of the city.”
What the action of the Board of Supervisors with regard to the Marina and Bay View sites will be is not known.
September 11, 1920
Reno Gazette-Journal,
Reno, Nevada, Sat • Page 1 & 2
GAZETTE GETS NEW YORK PAPER VIA AIR IN WORLD RECORD TIME
Aerial Carrier Arrives From East After Delays at Salt Lake and at Lovelock
Regular Daily Service Across Continent to Be Started by Department Monday
Regular aerial mail service between Reno and New York and between Reno and San Francisco was initiated today when mail plane No. 151 piloted by J. Woodward landed at the municipal aviation field at 10:15 o'clock this morning. The plane left New York last Wednesday on the first westbound trip as a transcontinental mall carrier.
Pilot Mouton relieved Woodward here and hopped off for San Francisco at 12:30 on the last lap of the cross-country flight. The plane is one day late in arriving at the coast. It was scheduled to arrive yesterday afternoon, but delays at Salt Lake prevented the ship getting away from there on schedule.
Delayed at Elko
Other delay at Elko caused the ship to leave there too late to reach Reno before dark and Pilot Woodward decided to land at Lovelock for the night. He landed there in an alfalfa field owned, by W. C., Pitt and residents of Lovelock were given an opportunity to view the mail carrier. Eight sacks of mail were taken from the ship and placed in the post office for safe keeping.
The plane did, not get away from Lovelock until, 8:15 this morning owing to difficulties in obtaining gasoline and oil.
Letters for Reno
The ship carried eight mail sacks destined for California, Oregon and Washington points. It carried only individual pieces of mail for Reno. A letter was brought from Elko addressed to the Gazette in which the citizens of that community extended their congratulations to Reno people on the inauguration of the aerial mail service.
A copy of the New York Times of Wednesday addressed to the Gazette was among the mail pieces delivered here today. The paper came in a special envelope and was a complimentary copy. Postal authorities declare the delivery of a newspaper in Reno three days after it was published in New York establishes a world’s record, although they add that record will not stand for more than a week or so. By then the planes will be accustomed to the route and faster time will be made.
Other Plane Halted
Mail plane No. 71 which left here yesterday for New York was delayed today at Salt Lake by engine trouble.
(Turn to Page Two)
AIR MAIL SERVICE SETS NEW RECORD
(Continued from Page One)
The plane was scheduled to leave there at noon for Cheyenne. The mechanics at the aviation field reported the plane had developed cylinder leaks and repairs will take until Monday morning. There are no reserve planes at Salt Lake or other Intermediate points along the route at present, although it is planned to supply such auxiliary ships as soon as possible.
Pilots who have crossed the Sierra mountains recently, declare the trip is much, easier than crossing the Rockies. The ships go over the Rockies at an altitude of 14.000, feet and heavy gales have prevailed there for several days.
Second Plane Here Pilot
Morgan brought in plane No. 102 from San Francisco at 8:35 o'clock this morning and left for Elko at 9:25. The plane brought one sack of mail for Reno which was rushed into morning delivery from the post office. The mail division office here had received no information regarding any westbound plane to arrive before Monday or Tuesday.
Instructions received at the local office from Otto Praeger, second assistant postmaster-general, stated that regular mail service would be inaugurated Monday and daily service would continue thereafter except for Sundays and holidays. The service at first will be between Cheyenne and San Francisco that being figured a day’s flight for the ships.
Regular Schedule
The schedule as announced for the westbound trips makes the plane leave Cheyenne at 4:30 a.m., with mail for Salt Lake, Reno and San Francisco. The ship is expected to arrive in San Francisco late in the afternoon. The mail will be taken from westbound trains at Cheyenne.
Eastbound service will begin Monday when the mail carrier will leave San Francisco at 6:30 with 400 pounds of mail, including one sack for Reno and one for Salt Lake. The through mail will be carried to Cheyenne by the plane and there placed aboard a train for the night travel.
Cuts Delivery Time
It is expected this method win shorten the time for delivery of mail across the continent by about forty hours. Additional planes are being procured for the service as fast as possible, according to word received from Col. John A. Jordan, in charge of the aerial service in the West. He declared there would be sufficient planes to station substitutes at all points so that delays due to accidents to planes will be prevented as far as possible.
September 24, 1920
 Fri, Sep 24, 1920 – Page 14 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com
December 2, 1920
 Thu, Dec 2, 1920 – Page 19 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com
March 4, 1921
 Fri, Mar 4, 1921 – Page 17 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com
March 8, 1921
Oakland Tribune,
Oakland, California , Tue • Page 5
U. S. MAIL PILOTS' GUIDE WARNS OF MARINA DANGERS
Wires, Gas Plant and Wind Force Aviators to Come in High, Says Book.
As different from the automobile tourist's road guide hook as black is from white, is the first official pilot’s directions of the New York-to-San Francisco flight of the United States air mail service, which was announced today by Colonel John A. Jordan, chief of the Pacific division of the air mail, and serves to illustrate the progress made in air mail traffic during the past few years.
The air schedule or time table which is printed by the government in booklet form, contains complete information of distances, landmarks, compass course, emergency and regular landing fields, with the service and communication facilities at principle points enroute. It ignores obstacles, bad roads, washouts and other worries of automobilists and railroad men and maps a diredt course from New York to San Francisco. The route is divided into eight sections:
New York to Bellefonte, Pa.,
To Cleveland,
To Chicago,
To Omaha
To Cheyenne,
To salt lake City,
To Reno and
To the Marina field, San Francisco.
The entire flight of eight relays is 2640 miles, according to the official’s directions.
The guide also contains instructions of the Durant flying field in Oakland, it points out the advantages of this landing field, stating that it has a wind indicator and a “T” on it.The time table calls to the attention of the mail pilots the danger under some conditions of the Maria field.
“Marina field-is stationed on the south of San Francisco bay,” the directions state, “three miles from the Golden Gate and on the east portion of the old fair grounds. It can be identified by the Palace of Fine Arts building, which has a large dome roof, at the west edge of the field; a monument 150 feet high, the Column of Progress, is on the north side of the field. The city of San Francisco is to the south. There is a prevailing southwest wind here. A double line of wires borders the eastern end of the field and this in conjunction with the gas plant in the same vicinity, forces the pilot to come in high. The pilot should hold the ship off until the runway is reached coming in either direction, as both the east and west edges of the field are very rough. Landings should not be attempted from any directions other than the east and west.”
July 19, 1921
 Tue, Jul 19, 1921 – Page 17 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com
September 28, 1921
The San Francisco Examiner,
San Francisco, California, Thu • Page 12
HUGE AIRSHIP ARRIVES HERE
The big Friesley airship Falcon, one of the largest passenger carrying aircraft In America, dropped into San Francisco yesterday afternoon and landed at the Marina with all the ease and grace of much smaller and lighter planes. Roy Francis was the pilot.
Besides Francis, the ship carried four passengers and a considerable load of freight. The passengers were Mr. and Mrs. Grafton Reed, Frank Merrill of Gridley and H. M. Friesley. Both Reed and Merrill are interested in the Friesley passenger carrying plane project.
Mrs. Reed, an experienced air motorist has traveled so much above the earth that the trip scarcely gave her a thrill.
"I made the flight," she said, "principally to give little Ignatz a touch of high-life."
Ignatz is a white Angora kitten who seemed not in the least annoyed or ruffled after his experience aloft.
The huge plane left Friesley Field at Gridley, where it was built, at 10 o'clock yesterday morning and visited Mather Field, near Sacramento, where an exhibition flight was staged. The flight from Mather Field to San Francisco, approximately ninety miles, was made in one hour and two minutes. Pilot Francis declared that an area of rough air was encountered near Sacramento, but the balance of the run was particularly smooth and enjoyable.
October 16, 1921
Oakland Tribune,
Oakland, California, Sun • Page 75
Air Mail Service
This city did not renew the lease of Marina Field for a landing terminal for the Transcontinental Air Mail Service, and on September 1 it was transferred to Crissy Field, at the Presidio. Since then the matter of a landing terminal has been figuratively "in the air.'' Oakland stands a very likely chance with Government Island, and Redwood City has offered to supply, a field for five years rent free. In this connection it is represented that Reno not only furnishes a field but has built a hangar at a cost of $70,000. All other cities at which the mail airships regularly alight furnish fields free of expense to the government. When the Marina was rented by the government the city expended $25,000 in the construction of a hangar, and the government spent further sums in smoothing off the field and in other preparations. This now is a total loss, with the prospect of the terminal being lost to San Francisco. It is not likely to become permanent at Crissy Field, for the Government is about to increase its army airplane service, which will crowd the mail service and most likely expel it. This is a problem which there does not seem to be an official effort or inclination to solve. All that would be necessary to its solution would he furnishing the Marina free of rent for an airplane terminus, for which it is well adapted.
The Knave.
March 26, 1922
March 1, 1923
"Airways and Landing Facilities", Vol. V, No. 404, page 19
Commercial: Marina exposition grounds; 1,500 feet east and west by 500 feet north and south; smooth surface; gas and oil at field; prevailing wind, southwest; located one-half mile west of Fort Mason, along south of San Francisco Bay, 3 miles from Golden Gate, on the east portion of the old fair grounds; a monument 150 feet high is on the north side; double line of wires borders the eastern edge and gas plant in this vicinity forces pilots to come in high. Landings should be made from any direction other than east or west. Reported 1921.
July 16, 1924
The San Francisco Examiner,
San Francisco, California, Sat • Page 11
Plans for Marina Air Field Killed
A meeting of the special committee of the Board of Supervisors appointed by Mayor Rolph to find a suitable location for a commercial aviation field was held in the City Hall yesterday. The committee is composed of Supervisors Morgan, Coleman, Katz, Robb and Welch. Supervisor Margaret Mary Morgan is chairman.
There was a large attendance at the meeting, most of those present being people who have purchased lots in the Marina district, and who oppose the use of Marina Park as an aviation field.
When the meeting convened Chairman Morgan announced that the committee had determined that under the terms of the deeds by which the city acquired Marina Park from the State of California, it would not be lawful to use the park for an aviation field. Chairman Morgan then informed the residents and property owners of the Marina district that they need not remain longer at the meeting as the committee would under no circumstances favor the use of Marina Park as an aviation field.
This action of the committee finally disposes of the question and assures the people of the city that the Marina cannot be used for an aviation field but must be developed as a public park for which purpose it was conveyed to the city. The property owners in the Marina district have petitioned the Board of Supervisors to make an order forbidding all aviators from trespassing on Marina Park.
|
Sat, Sep 11, 1920 – Page 1 · Reno Gazette-Journal (Reno, Nevada) · Newspapers.com
