This collection is a 200 page scrapbook, filled with photographs, certificates, newspaper clippings, and ephermera relating to Harold George Peterson's aviation exploits.
Harold George Peterson was a prominent aviator of his time. Peterson was a squadron officer for the 50th Observation Squadron at Ellington Field, Houston, Texas during World War I. He went on to start an aviation field and pilot school, 'The Harold G. Peterson Aircraft Company,' located at White Bear, MN. He is most famous, however, for being forced to land at Folimir, Mexico on August 10, 1917. There, Lt. Peterson and his passenger, Paul Davis, were captured by a band of roving bandits and held for a {dollar}15,000 ransom, which was to be paid by the U.S. Government. Peterson escaped across the boarder after a ransom of only 7,500 was paid.
Identifier
NASM.1989.0127
Creator
Peterson, Harold George
Date
1917-1942 bulk 1917-1920
Provenance
Charles Apfelbaum, Purchase, 1989, NASM.1989.0127
Extent
0.5 Cubic feet ((1 flatbox))
Archival Repository
National Air and Space Museum Archives
Scope and Contents
This collection is a 200 page scrapbook, filled with about 800 photographs, plus certificates, newspaper clippings about his exploits, and other miscellaneous ephemera. The photographs include shots of Curtiss JN-4s on the ground, and air-to-air shots in formation, as well as other WWI era airplanes, both American and European, including a shot of the Albatross DVa 'Stropp.' Other photographs feature aerial shots of Paris, Mexico, and Hawaii, as well as a few engine photographs.
Arrangement note
One item, no arrangement.
Rights
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Restrictions
No restrictions on access
Citation
Lieutenant Harold G. Peterson Scrapbook, NASM.1989.0127, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Topics
Aeronautics, Military Aeronautics Air pilots World War, 1914-1918 Curtiss JN-4 Jenny Family Albatros D.Va (L24)
