“WINGED FLIGHT CELEBRATES ITS CENTENNIEL”

by Kaaron Carver August 6, 2003

The year 2003 is a great time to study American history, as it is the 100^th anniversary of three transportation innovators: Ford, Harley-Davidson and Wright. We will present a one month series in honor of these achievements.

By 1903, young Sonoma County was not to be left out of this pioneer movement.

One such trendsetter was racecar driver turned biplane builder Fred Wiseman, pilot of the first U.S. Airmail flight. Less than ten years after Kittyhawk, on February 17, 1911 to be exact, Fred flew from Kenilworth Park with 50 Press Democrat copies, some coffee, and a congratulatory letter from Petaluma Postmaster John Olmsted. His goal was to beat the mail train and truck to his home town, Santa Rosa.

While local readership may have only waved as he flew overhead, there was an indirect connection. Wiseman was forced to land four and ½ miles north (probably Denman Flats) after his magneto breaker-block failed. The next day, he flew over the Cotati Valley and “delivered” a few of the Press Democrats, scared a herd of cows and caused rabbits to run in circles. As he continued to Santa Rosa, he was “one minute and a half “short of the former city limits. A wire broke loose and caught in his propeller, and “down he glided into a newly-plowed field of wet adobe”, just south of the Santa Rosa fairgrounds.

Alas, Wiseman’s name often gets lost in American history, overshadowed by Earle Ovington, who flew six months later, under a “more official” U.S. Postmaster’s authorization. Nevertheless, local historians credit Fred’s achievement.

“Wiseman-Cooke” biplane – 1910 –

built from photos of Wright, Farman

and Curtiss planes – now in Smithsonian

Personally autographed U.S. Mail postcard, commemorating historic flight

Feb. 17, 1911

But what undeniably placed our triad on the flight map was the Cotati Naval Outer Landing Field, a satellite support for Alameda Field. This 217-acre parcel operated in 1943-4. It had a “barracks, control tower, fire and crash truck garage, gas and oil storage.” Two runways formed an X. It was a prime location: close enough to aircraft carriers to practice takeoffs and landings, but safely behind the designated “Danger Areas” Bloomfield and all areas west).

Drawing Courtesy Paul Freeman, “Abandoned And Little Known Airfields”, 2003

.

After the war, the firing range was used by the County Peace Officers. By 1957, it became a prime drag racing site, though former runways were described as “bumpy as hell!”

Actor Steve McQueen practiced driving his Mustang on this surface to prepare for his role in “Bullitt”.

Purchased by Hugh Codding, he often landed his private plane there in the 1950’s. Although Codding still owns the land, it is now home to many stores and restaurants.

“This National Archive photo was taken in 1958 when the reservation was being offered for sale.” (Left – barracks – right – oil storage shack)

Photo Courtesy Larry Garcea, Rohnert Park Historical Society 2001

All that remains of this original property bordered by Expressway and Labath is the access road, aptly named “Airport Road”. Some tell a story that, in the early days of what is now Valley Furniture, before the flooring was completed, one would still see the old runway lines under displays.

The Cotati NOLF is under study today, with investigation of old records, flyers and their lives. Locals are wondering why more pilots died during WWII flight training in Sonoma County than in any other area of the country.

Wiseman was prophetic about the danger of flight, yet realistic about it being inevitable. He was interviewed on October 4, 1961 just prior to his death. According to reporter Bill Soberanes, Fred had given up flying because stunt men were either winning the records or died trying. Wiseman stated that “There is no limit as to how high mankind will fly in the future. Such flights will face danger as did those of the early birds of aviation.”

There is an ironic connection between Wiseman and those WWII navy fliers, for it was Wiseman who invented the first stopper for landing an airplane on a battleship.

The Wiseman-Cooke biplane now resides in the Smithsonian, and a bronze memorial plaque in a Petaluma park commemorates the first U.S. Airmail flight. Both airfield and drag strip are gone except for the memories. Sonoma County has come a long way in the last 100 years, thanks in part to the courage of its Icarian pioneers.

Bill Soberanes, left, with Fred J. Wiseman (Spanish American War veteran, racecar driver, inventor, aviator and retired Standard Oil Executive) – Oakland, October 4, 1961 – courtesy Argus-Courier