Well, Hey, I Didn't Know That ! (Chicago, Grant Park: hospital, home, bank)

[HOWELL_STREET]

Dear Friends:

This is a little historical information tidbit for your entertainment. I thought 'you' might possibly have an interest about it. I discovered this in a very old book on the first U.S. Air Mail service starting around 1918.

During those Chicago years, there was actually an air field right in what is now known as Grant Park in downtown Chicago. And to guide those De Havilland 'DH-4' planes into the city of Chicago - - was the Lindberg beacon light. It was located on top of one of the earlier Chicago 'sky-scraper' buildings. Of course, that beacon light was - - I beleve - - removed many years ago. So the first air mail service field was right at Grant Park. Later, that field was closed down and another one built on the Edward Hines VA Hospital property. That air field was known as "Checker board". I don't know why, though, since it had an 'L' shaped runway.

Those early 'DH-4' planes of circa 1918 - 1925 had gravity feed fuel tanks. So if the pilot banked too far, then the engine stalled. And one particular documented 'crash' with photos was in the nearby Forest Home Cemetery. The pilot walked away from that crash... but I am sure he then considered his future and where he would spend eternity. In that sense, there are not too many people who 'land in a cemetery' and then walk out of it.

As a humorous comment, at a funeral, a man's wife was have heard to say in her bereavement, "Speak to me George"!

So the brother of that deceased "George" turned to his friend and said, "If George speaks to her, then that window is mine"!

Since I am an historical author, I hope you won't mind this interesting 'tidbit' that I discovered by accident.

Best Regards,

Carter Glass

[nanannie]

Thank you Carter,very interesting tid bits.