Pictured: A yellow Piper Cub airplane -- one of the most popular light planes in the mid-1900’s – recreates pride and high spirits when Justin Rosemeyer of Thorp visited the airport display at the Stanley Museum, now open for the summer.
Flying Memories. “Yes,” exclaims Justin Rosemeyer of Thorp, “fond memories.” Rosemeyer visited a special exhibit at the Stanley Area Historical Society last weekend that featured early events of the Stanley Airport.
Rosemeyer initiated, and later helped qualify, a dozen or so local residents, first pilots, to fly in the late 1940’s when the landing strip was just a neatly mowed farm field east of the city.
Memories were brought back for Justin when he recalled another Thorp resident Wally Kozlowski, half of the duo who prepared aspiring pilots how to fly back in the year of 1948. Wally, who also sold airplanes, taught the ground school portion of the class, while Justin, the flight instructor, taught the students how to fly.
The Stanley Area Historical Society is open for visitors on weekend afternoons, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., June through September.
