Today in Wheeling History: September 13--Ruth Elder, aviation pioneer known as "Miss America of Aviation," lands at Langin Field in Moundsville with her Stinson Detroiter monoplane "American Girl," sponsored by Wheeling investors (1927).
Ruth Elder, born on September 8, 1902, in Anniston, Alabama, was an aviation pioneer and actress who gained fame for her attempt to become the first woman to fly across the Atlantic. In 1927, a group of Wheeling investors incorporated "The Wheeling Aero Exhibitors" with $35,000 to back Elder's transatlantic flight. On September 13, 1927, Elder and her co-pilot George Haldeman landed at Langin Field in Moundsville, near Wheeling, in their orange-colored Stinson Detroiter monoplane. Originally called "Spirit of Wheeling," the plane was later renamed "American Girl." After a brief visit to Wheeling, Elder and Haldeman left for Roosevelt Field in New York on September 14. Their transatlantic attempt began on October 11, 1927, but ended 2,623 miles and 36 hours later with a crash landing in the ocean. Despite not completing the flight, Elder set a new over-water endurance record and became a celebrity. She went on to star in Hollywood films, participate in air races, and later worked as an executive secretary in the aviation industry.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library (Flickr account) (https://shorturl.at/pEJIJ), Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/2799fka5) (https://tinyurl.com/36jdyfsn), Wheeling Register (https://tinyurl.com/4kwxhuxy), Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/I1LnQ), Wheeling Sunday Register (https://tinyurl.com/4rs3mbv3) (https://tinyurl.com/rw4pfvm8), University of South Florida (https://shorturl.at/tVCcd)
Photo credits: Monash University
Ruth Elder, born on September 8, 1902, in Anniston, Alabama, was an aviation pioneer and actress who gained fame for her attempt to become the first woman to fly across the Atlantic. In 1927, a group of Wheeling investors incorporated "The Wheeling Aero Exhibitors" with $35,000 to back Elder's transatlantic flight. On September 13, 1927, Elder and her co-pilot George Haldeman landed at Langin Field in Moundsville, near Wheeling, in their orange-colored Stinson Detroiter monoplane. Originally called "Spirit of Wheeling," the plane was later renamed "American Girl." After a brief visit to Wheeling, Elder and Haldeman left for Roosevelt Field in New York on September 14. Their transatlantic attempt began on October 11, 1927, but ended 2,623 miles and 36 hours later with a crash landing in the ocean. Despite not completing the flight, Elder set a new over-water endurance record and became a celebrity. She went on to star in Hollywood films, participate in air races, and later worked as an executive secretary in the aviation industry.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library (Flickr account) (https://shorturl.at/pEJIJ), Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/2799fka5) (https://tinyurl.com/36jdyfsn), Wheeling Register (https://tinyurl.com/4kwxhuxy), Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/I1LnQ), Wheeling Sunday Register (https://tinyurl.com/4rs3mbv3) (https://tinyurl.com/rw4pfvm8), University of South Florida (https://shorturl.at/tVCcd)
Photo credits: Monash University
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