The Case:
Our contributor has a four by three inch swatch of fabric she found among her late grandfather’s possessions.
On it are written the words “Dixon” and “Grand Island, 1911.” She wonders if the name refers to the pioneering aviator, Cromwell Dixon. Reporters called Dixon the “Boy Genius” pilot.
At 19 years old, Dixon was the first man to fly across the Continental Divide. Two days later he crashed at an exhibition in Spokane, Washington. He died a few hours later.
Could this piece of fabric be the last remaining artifact of Cromwell Dixon’s brief aviation career?
History Detectives talks with a Cromwell Dixon biographer, consults with the curator at the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, and finally comes across a key clue at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, Nebraska.
Pioneer Aircraft
Related Content
Video:
Technique:
Technique:
Technique:
Related Links
Explore
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Pete Gray Cartoon
Do these unsigned drawings from the golden age of comics tell the tale of a real life superhero?
-
Also in Emerging Modern America: 1890-1930
Teddy Roosevelt War Club
What could this strange object have to do with Teddy Roosevelt and his run for a third term presidency?
-
Also in Season 8
Hot Town Poster
What role did this striking poster play in the explosive events of 1960s America?
-
Also in Emerging Modern America: 1890-1930
Prison Plaque
Were convicted felons responsible for bringing peace to Western Europe during World War I?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Wartime Baseball
Is this baseball evidence of an unusual ballgame that took place during segregation?
-
Also in Emerging Modern America: 1890-1930
Sears Home
Might an Ohio couple's residence be a long-forgotten Sears home?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.