Page 4 - Demo

The official opening of Anderson%u2019s Welch Field in 1929 was one of Indiana%u2019s most memorable airport dedications. And, it was all because of the efforts of local pilot and inventor Orin Welch. It took place on Memorial Day weekend, from May 31 to June 2, and huge holiday crowds of 20,000 surrounded the grass field. On the first day, attendees got to see Anthony Fokker arrive in a Fokker trimotor, and Capt. Weir Cook%u2014a hometown native and World War I ace%u2014land a yellow Curtiss Robin. But the star of the weekend was Amelia Earhart, who set down her Avro Avian biplane while accompanied by war hero Maj. Reed Landis. Earhart told the gathering, %u201cI would have every woman here to regard flying not as a mere pastime or a single trip filled with hazards but simply as a means of transportation. I prefer to fly rather than travel in the more ordinary manner.%u201dFox Movietone News brought Leo, its celebrated lion from the MGM Hollywood movie studio, in a specially designed plane. Also present was Charles E. Wilson, vice president of General Motors, who would become the company%u2019s president in a dozen years. Renowned Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker attended as well. A Medal of Honor recipient, he notched up 26 aerial victories as America%u2019s most successful World War I air fighter ace. During the three days, the air was full of airplanes, along with Goodyear%u2019s silver blimp, the Puritan. Festivities included a band concert, fireworks at night, as well as contests and demonstrations. Pilot Clyde Shockley attained a height of 5,000 feet in 4 minutes 13 seconds. By the end of the third day, 74 of the world%u2019s greatest pilots had joined together to make aviation history at Welch Field. Sadly, just a few months later, on November 9, a fire destroyed the airport%u2019s hanger. Not long after, Welch moved his facility to Portland, Indiana. The old Welch Field slowly vanished and, today, nothing remains to suggest it ever existed.Muncie Star Press, May 29, 1929Promotional flyer