Near Palestine in Crawford County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Rousch Brothers - Aviation Pioneers
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.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World I. A significant historical date for this entry is January 21, 1932.
Location. 39° 0.464′ N, 87° 38.471′ W. Marker is near Palestine, Illinois, in Crawford County. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois and in the Wabash Valley. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fort Foot (approx. 0.9 miles away); Gov. Augustus C. French (approx. 1½ miles away); The Fife Opera House (approx. 1.6 miles away); United States Land Office (approx. 1.6 miles away); Auntie Gogin's Store (approx. 1.6 miles away); You Are Not Forgotten (approx. 1.6 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away); Houston-Dickson Store (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palestine.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Palestine, Illinois (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 2,867 times since then and 68 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.



