Near Palestine in Crawford County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Rousch Brothers - Aviation Pioneers
Photographed By Al Wolf, October 11, 2009
1. Rousch Brothers - Aviation Pioneers Marker
Inscription.
Rousch Brothers - Aviation Pioneers. . Usher - October13, 1891 -- April 4, 1941. Built his first airplane in 1909. From 1913-1927 he learned to fly, barnstormed, and did stunt flying. Pilot and instructor for Interstate Airline and American Airways 1928-1930 and American Airlines 1930-1939. In 1931 he helped organize air line pilots’ association and was secretary from 1934-1939. He was Captain on American Airlines 1930-1931. From 1939-1941 he was a pilot with TACA in Central America. , Charles - March 4, 1896 - January 21, 1932. Learned to fly in world war one. In 1922 he owned his own plane. During 1922-1924 Charles and Berl built 2 Jennys. They barnstormed, operated their own Flying Circus, performed parachute jumps, and gave exhibition flights. In 1929 Charles became an instructor and a Captain for Universal Airlines also established new routes for this airline. In 1931 he was a pilot for Northwest Airlines., Berl - October 2, 1900 - December 12, 1939. Learned to fly in 1922. Helped Charles build two planes in 1923-1924. Active with the Flying Circus and barnstorming., From this field the three brothers pioneered in Aviation. Original hangar still stands at the North end of this field., “Truly Dedicated Men for the Progress of Aviation.”
Usher - October13, 1891 -- April 4, 1941. Built his first airplane in 1909. From 1913-1927 he learned to fly, barnstormed, and did stunt flying. Pilot and instructor for Interstate Airline and American Airways 1928-1930 and American Airlines 1930-1939. In 1931 he helped organize air line pilots’ association and was secretary from 1934-1939. He was Captain on American Airlines 1930-1931. From 1939-1941 he was a pilot with TACA in Central America.
Charles - March 4, 1896 - January 21, 1932. Learned to fly in WWI. In 1922 he owned his own plane. During 1922-1924 Charles and Berl built 2 Jennys. They barnstormed, operated their own Flying Circus, performed parachute jumps, and gave exhibition flights. In 1929 Charles became an instructor and a Captain for Universal Airlines also established new routes for this airline. In 1931 he was a pilot for Northwest Airlines.
Berl - October 2, 1900 - December 12, 1939. Learned to fly in 1922. Helped Charles build two planes in 1923-1924. Active with the Flying Circus and barnstorming.
From this field the three brothers pioneered in Aviation. Original hangar still stands at the North end of this field.
“Truly Dedicated Men for the Progress of Aviation.”
Erected by Crawford County Historical Society.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World I. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1870.
Location. 39° 0.464′ N, 87° 38.471′ W. Marker is near Palestine, Illinois, in Crawford County. Marker is on Illinois Route 33 west of North 1650th Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Palestine IL 62451, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Wide View of Rousch Brothers - Aviation Pioneers Marker
Photographed By Al Wolf, October 11, 2009
3. North View of Rousch Brothers - Aviation Pioneers Marker
Photographed By Al Wolf, October 11, 2009
4. North / East View of Rousch Brothers - Aviation Pioneers Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,841 times since then and 108 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 15, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.