Our Town: Scott first opened its gates for an air show even as WWI raged on

Air shows and open houses at Scott Air Force Base have a long history going back to the beginning of the base. The first such event was held on Saturday, Aug. 17, 1918, while World War I was still being fought.

Back then, Scott was an Army aviation field that had only been operational for a year. The post (it wouldn’t become a base until after World War II) threw open its gates to the public for the first time that day for a program of airplane demonstrations and acrobatics in addition to athletic track and field games.

An admission fee of 50 cents was charged at the gate. “Soft drinks” were served on the grounds but if you wanted food, you had to bring your own. At least some seating was available. Cameras weren’t permitted inside the post.

Here’s how the O’Fallon Progress reported the event.

“An estimated crowd of 24,000 people witnessed the aerial thrills and attended the athletic meet at Scott Field Saturday.

“Early in the morning machines (automobiles) began to journey through this city on their way to the field and O’Fallon was crowded with machines during the greater part of the day. Hundreds of automobiles from distant points went through here, at times resembling a regular automobile parade.

“Saturday was the first time Scott Field was thrown open to the public and as early as 8 o’clock people began to arrive to spend the day at the field. Many of the visitors brought their lunches with them.

“At three o’clock more than 4,000 automobiles were parked in and near the aviation field. Machines were lined up for miles at the gates, awaiting their turn to be admitted.

A special train of 15 coaches was run over the Southern (now Norfolk Southern) railroad from St. Louis. The train was packed and jammed, hundreds being turned away when it arrived at East St. Louis.

“A contingent of sailors in charge of the Navy recruiting office at St. Louis were at the field, and an army band furnished music continually throughout the afternoon.

“The athletic program began at 3:30, and cadets and enlisted men vigorously competed in the various events. This program was completed at 4:45 and immediately thereafter four flyers were seen to encircle the field at a high altitude for several minutes. Then they began a series of “stunts,” and spectators began to crane their necks, many of whom had never seen the daring airmen execute side slips, tail spins, Immelmann turns and nose dives.

“It is surprising how few people have ever had the opportunity to witness the intricate feats of the American airmen. These were astounded at the exhibitions, whereas in O’Fallon they are a common occurrence.

“A fleet of seven planes, flying in a perfect ‘V’ formation, then appeared from the northwest and presented a most beautiful sight. They flew at a low altitude, hovering directly over the crowd. For more than an hour the flyers thrilled the crowd with various aerial feats. This was followed by a thrilling exhibition of aerial combat between two planes, piloted by Lieuts. R. G. Johnson and O. C. Francis.

“The sham battle began when the men had attained a height of about 7,000 feet. For a few moments they circled about each other after which the battle was on. One plane dived under the other, looped and came up behind him, maneuvering from one position to the other. During this thrill, which appeared as a real battle, the planes would loop and roll over all in one. Tail spins and nose dives also played an important factor.

“At times the pursued plane would be flying upside down then start to fall like a leaf, suddenly swooping upward to a high altitude. In the final, the pursued plane was seen to tumble over and start on the downward fall, just as though it had been struck by a bullet. This continued until the plane was within a few hundred feet from the ground, when the pilot righted his machine.

“No accidents occurred during the afternoon.

“In the athletic events Cadet C. W. Garrett was the star, winning two firsts and two seconds. The receipts from the airplane exhibition, track meet and sale of refreshments will total about $17,000. This will be used for the athletic equipment at the field, plans for the construction of a swimming pool for the use of officers and men stationed at the field already being under consideration.”

How did the servicemen at Scott describe the day? Here’s their account which appeared in Scott Field’s 1918 yearbook, with a different crowd estimate.

“We of Scott Field shall never forget the eventful Field Meet and Flight Exhibition which was held on August 17th, 1918. On that day the road from St. Louis to the Field was one continuous line of automobiles, of every description imaginable, filled with curious and happy people.

“Thousands of people from miles around came to witness the Exhibition. From early morning until the late darkened the summer night upon the scene, the steady stream of autos continued.

“On that day Lieut. R. G. Johnson, assisted by Lieuts. D. C. Smith and Ira M. Avent held over 50,000 people spellbound by their stunts in the air.

“No one who saw, will ever forget the wonderful exhibition of upside-down flying which Johnson gave, of the formation flyers, who staged one of the few perfect formations ever seen ‘in America.

Regardless of the dust and crowd and inconvenience which a crowd of that size was bound to create, people left the field jubilant and glad they had come. The field meet at Scott Field will long be remembered in St. Louis and Southern Illinois.”

75 years ago, May 13, 1948: Work was started Monday on alterations on the former Porter two-story residence at North Lincoln Avenue and West Washington Street for a new funeral home for Wolfersberger-Meyer, who recently acquired the property. Ed. Bohnenstiehl has the contract. Among the alterations will be the elimination of several interior walls on the east half of the residence for a modernly equipped chapel. The other half is to be converted into a slumber room, ladies rest room, preparation quarters and a casket display room, all separated from the chapel by a hallway. Other alterations will be a men’s smoking and restroom in the basement. Entrance to the funeral home will be on the Washington Street side. While the alterations are being made the firm will continue to operate in the Schwarz building on West First Street, expecting to move into their new quarters sometime this summer. (The Schwarz building was later enlarged to become the home of the current VFW Post.)

50 years ago, May 10, 1973: Voters in the O’Fallon-Shiloh Valley and Caseyville Fire District voted down Saturday a 25-cent tax levy for ambulance service. The final vote was yes-16, no-84. A similar referendum vote was held on the April 17 O’Fallon election. It was also defeated, 924-1161. A number of weeks ago, Schildknecht Funeral Home and Wolfersberger-Meyer Funeral Home formally announced that they would be halting all ambulance service for O’Fallon after June 10. Two weeks ago, Tommy Aaron, owner of the Fairview Ambulance Service, announced that he was going to set up an ambulance office in O’Fallon for service before the Schildknecht-Wolfersberger closing date. Studies are being made by the O’Fallon city council on finding the best direction the city can take to obtain city ambulance service.