AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2023 - 31

goal for two decades. The portal was finally
dedicated in 1953 by aviation enthusiasts as a
final resting place for pilots, mechanics, and
other pioneers of flight.
The portal initially became the resting place
for 15 such pioneers: " a shrine to honor the
dead of American aviation. " The U.S. National
Registry of Historic Places now includes the
Portal of Folded Wings. Carl Squire, a vice
president of Lockheed, referred to the portal
as " the Westminster Abbey of reverence for
founders of the air age. "
In addition to those interred under the
portal, several brass plaques mounted on the
marble walls honor historical aviation figures
resting elsewhere. These include General
William " Billy " Mitchell and Amelia Earhart.
The original pioneers
Bertrand " Bert " Acosta - Recordsetting
pilot. Admiral Richard Byrd's
co-pilot on their 1927 attempt to fly
from New York to Paris.
Jimmie Angel - Famed pilot.
Discovered in Venezuela the world's
tallest waterfall, later named Angel
Falls. (His ashes have been removed
from the portal and scattered over
the falls.)
Walter R. Brookins - First civilian
pilot trained by Orville Wright. Was
a member of the Wright brothers'
exhibition team.
Mark M. Campbell - Stunt pilot,
parachute expert, and aircraft
designer.
John Franklin Bruce Carruthers -
Chaplain of the Portal of the Folded
Wings and aviation historian.
Col. Warren S. Eaton - First
member of the Aero Club
of California " to produce a
functioning airplane. " Built aircraft
for Lincoln Beachey, famed
exhibition pilot.
W. Bertrum " Bert " Kinner - Built
the first certified aircraft engine
as well as Amelia Earhart's first
airplane, the Kinner Airster.
The Portal of the Folded Wings is in the
Pierce Brothers Valhalla Memorial Park, a
cemetery at 10621 Victory Boulevard, North
Hollywood, California. This little-known gem
of aviation history is open to visitors every
day of the year during normal business hours.
Burial sites are still available in and around the
portal, but only for those involved in aviation.
Additional information can be obtained by
calling the memorial park at 818-763-9121.
BarrySchiff.com
Roy Knabenshue - America's
first dirigible pilot and builder.
Established in 1905 the first
scheduled airline with dirigible
flights between Pasadena and Los
Angeles.
Elizabeth L. McQueen - One of Los
Angeles' first female pilots. Founder
of the Women's International
Aeronautical Association.
Matilde J. Moisant - Became the
second licensed female pilot in the
United States the day after Harriet
Quimby became the first.
J. Floyd Smith - Test pilot and
instructor for Glenn Martin at the
Griffith Park Aerodrome in 1911.
Hilder F. Smith - Flew aerobatics
in her husband's Flying Circus.
Parachuted from Glenn Martin's
airplane over Los Angeles harbor
in 1914.
Carl B. Squire - Barnstormer, test
pilot, and vice president of the
Lockheed Company. Sold aircraft to
Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh,
Roscoe Turner, and others.
Charles E. Taylor - Built the engine
for the Wright Flyer. Operated the
first airport (Huffman Prairie, Ohio).
Cal Rodgers' mechanic during the
first transcontinental flight.
Charles E. Taylor
Evelyn " Bobbi " Trout - Early
American aviator. Set numerous
female endurance records.
Participated in the first Women's
Air Derby (the Powder Puff Derby)
in 1929.
AOPA PILOT / August 2023
31
LEFT: CHRIS ROSE; RIGHT: NATIONAL PARK SERVICES/ WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES.
http://www.BarrySchiff.com
AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2023

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