This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
First nonstop cross country balloon trip ends in Georgia
Two Phoenix businessmen Fred Gorrell and John Shoecraft completed the first nonstop across the United States in 2,515 miles, landing on Blackbeard Island near Savannah after 55 hours 25 minutes. They battled oxygen loss and subfreezing temps, reaching 28,000 feet and speeds over 50 mph before a beach landing aided by a Coast Guard vessel.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Savannah
United States
Fred Gorrell
John Shoecraft
Phoenix
Ariz
Blackbeard Island
Gorrell
Shoecraft
Chris van Elk
Scottsdale
Coast Guard
Ron Ripps
Columbus
Ohio
Liberal
Kan
New Mexico Mining Company
Maxie Anderson
Kris
San Francisco
Canada
Robert Nevins
Federal Aviation Administration
van Elk
Arizona
New Mexico
Texas
Oklahoma
Arkansas
Mississippi River
Alabama
Georgia