There have been reports of aircraft coming to the Cumberland area and operating from strange locations for the purpose of hauling of aerial passengers for sightseeing rides. In the 1920’s, this activity was known as barnstorming. The field used for this barnstorming activity was next to the present Martin’s Food Store and bordering Maryland Avenue where the old Rolling Mill of the B&O railroad was located. Local resident, Elwood Rowley, related that during the 1920’s the Cumberland area of the Hilltop Drive section (including the Memorial Hospital area) was being developed into home building lots. The real estate developer used two Curtiss Jennys for passenger hopping to encourage individuals to buy lots. Local resident Howard Hansel, and other individuals, have reported that during this time the Jennys were secured at night by tying them down in the southeast corner of the intersection of Williams Street and Avondale Avenue next to a still existing house.
It should be noted that prior to this time other old-timers reported that aircraft coming into the Cumberland area had operated from strange and obscure locations. The field known as the Rolling Mills property described above was one such site. Others were at Oak Street next to Industrial Boulevard, and on Prince George Street behind St. Mary’s Church.
Virgil Parker, a local resident and a veteran pilot of WW I, flew one of those Jennys for the real estate developer. A field where Fort Hill High School is now located was used for these operations, taking off to the south and landing to the north. These flights overflew Elwood’s home at low altitude causing disruption of household activities with the irritating noise from the low flying aircraft. Elwood Rowley as a youngster had been able to accumulate a profit of $1.50 from selling the GRIT newspaper, which he used to purchase a single-shot .22 caliber rifle. He then, impulsively, decided to eliminate the noisy irritants by shooting down the airborne pest. After Elwood shot at the overhead craft, he was so overcome by fear and remorse that he destroyed the rifle. Apparently, the bullet from the .22 rifle had passed through the fabric of the Jenny without touching any firm structure. One can only imagine the shock and surprise of a pilot in observing a bullet hole in his aircraft’s fabric during his next pre-flight inspection.
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Wings Over Cumberland 