Strolling Through Aviation History in Marshall

My vacation this week continued today with a road trip. First stop was the Nicholas-Beazley Aviation Museum (http://nicholasbeazley.org/) in Marshall, Missouri--181 miles (291 km) west of St. Louis. I had first heard of this museum and of the Nicholas-Beazley Airplane Company from a program at a Missouri Aviation Historical Society (https://moavhist.org/) meeting about three years ago.

After entering the museum and paying my admission charge to the woman at the counter, Shannon from the volunteer guided me into the museum. He first showed a short video about the lore of flight and about the Nicholas-Beazley concern. I mentioned that I first learned about this museum and firm from the Society, and he thought I would be disappointed in his talk, but I told Shannon no worries and let him talk a bit about the history and exhibits in the museum, before letting me look on my own in greater detail. Before we parted, I gave Shannon a Missouri Aviation Historical Society card with my name added to it, and he said he'd pass this on to the museum's director. This museum has plenty of photos, memorabilia, and some hands-on exhibits.

The firm began just after World War I, when Marshall native Russell B. Nicholas began selling surplus aircraft propellers. He soon expanded into aircraft parts. Nicholas joined with Howard Beazley in 1923 to form the Nicholas-Beazley Motor Company, to produce automobiles, but they switched from autos to aircraft one year later. In 1925, they established the Marhsall Flying School, which trained over 3000 pilots--at one time, the largest civilian flight school in the world. The Nicholas-Beazley Airplane Company was the country's largest distributor of aircraft parts by 1927, when they began designing and producing aircraft in partnership with designer Walter Barling.

Their talents produced the Barling NB-3 monoplane in 1928, which set several records for US light aircraft. This was followed in 1931 by the NB-8, a two-seat monoplane with folding wings for easier storage. However, the lingering effects of the Great Depression would doom the firm, which went out of business by 1939.

This museum also has exhibits on Marshall natives who served in World War II and just afterward, with much memorabilia, and a Young Aviator's Museum that encourages children to learn about aviation with hands-on activities. I was the only person visiting the museum during that time today (late morning to midday), which meant I had a clear view for photos, which I greatly appreciated. Before leaving, I donated $1 to a donation jar, and bought a museum mug from the gift shop. I wanted to do my bit to help out this museum, which I feel does much to showcase an otherwise forgotten chapter in aviation history. Definitely recommended for aviation history fans.

Later.

On Top of Something: The Gateway Arch

This morning, I continued my vacation with a trip to Downtown St. Louis. After making a brief visit to a placement firm for them to copy a document on myself for their files, I walked over to Gateway Arch National Park (https://www.nps.gov/jeff/index.htm). Earlier this summer, a multi-year renovation of the Arch's underground museum and the grounds was completed. This was my first visit there since completion of the renovation project.

I first walked to the west entrance of the Old Courthouse and looked out onto Kiener Plaza. Then I walked to the courthouse's east entrance and looked upon the statue there of the former slaves Dred and Harriet Scott. The Scotts sued for their freedom at the Old Courthouse in 1846, only for the Missouri and US supreme courts to rule against them. This case brought the US closer to civil war. I then looked east towards the Gateway Arch and made my way through Luther Ely Smith Square towards the new Visitor Center.

After crossing over the Interstate on a new artificial land bridge, I arrived at the new Visitor Center entrance, located west of the Arch. After passing through the doors and going through the security check, I made my way to the Visitor Center. This has six galleries: Colonial St. Louis, Jefferson's Vision, Manifest Destiny, The Riverfront Era, New Frontiers, and Building the Gateway Arch. These galleries feature many historical artifacts and interactive displays to help visitors gain a greater understanding of some 250 years in this nation's history. I was most impressed by this, and it's a great improvement over the previous Museum of Westward Expansion at this location.

After browsing through the Museum, I waited for my tram ride to the top of the Arch. I had ordered my ticket for the tram and for the movie at home, and printed off the tickets before I came to the Arch. At the appointed time, I got in line for the North Tram with 39 other passengers. After viewing a brief presentation on the 1960s when the Arch was built and posing for a souvenir photograph (which I bought later), I boarded the tram for the 4-minute trip to the top--630 feet (192 m) above the St. Louis Riverfront.

After the tram arrived just short of the Observation Room, I and the other passengers got out of the tram and walked up a short flight of stairs. We arrived in the Observation Room, which had windows looking east and west. I have been to the top of the Arch at least five times in my life, and it has never failed to impress me. Along with other visitors, I looked east upon the Mississippi River, with a bit of traffic, plus the Eads and Poplar Street bridges and East St. Louis. To the west, one could see the Old Courthouse, Busch Stadium, and the rest of Downtown St. Louis. I spent at least 20 minutes there and loved all that I saw from the windows.

Back in the Visitor Center after the 3-minute ride from the top, I got lunch at the Arch View Cafe. I had a nice meal with their Wurst Plate: two sausages on sauerkraut, with cole slaw. I added lemonade and a gooey butter cake slice. It was all very tasty.

Then, I entered the Tucker Theater there for a screening of "Monument to the Dream," a 1967 Academy Award-nominated documentary about the Gateway Arch's construction. I have seen this film many times--at the Arch, on TV, and on home video--and I still am mesmerized by its story from conception to completion. After watching the film, I bought a few souvenirs at The Arch Store before walking out by the South Leg. I admired the Arch from there before walking back to my car in the Mansion House Garage.

On the way home, I shopped at JC Penney (https://www.jcpenney.com/) at South County Center (http://www.shopsouthcountycenter.com/), where I bought two new dress shirts (taking advantage of a buy one get one free offer) and a tie bar. These should be most welcome additions to my wardrobe.

My vacation continues with a day road trip tomorrow. I'll write about that in my next post.

Later.