Admiral Byrd In Sandusky

On December 12, 1930, The famous explorer Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd spoke to a crowd of 1200 at Sandusky Junior High School, under the auspices of the senior class at Sandusky High School. He was delayed in Cleveland, but he finally arrived on the New York Central train in Sandusky. Due to the delay, the parade that had been planned for him was cancelled, but crowds of people greeted the Admiral as he arrived at the Sloane House Hotel. 

In his talk, Rear Admiral Byrd spoke about his recent expedition to the Antarctic. Byrd and his men experienced temperatures ranging from 50 degrees below zero to 70 below zero. They wore garments made from reindeer skin, and had sleeping bags made from fur. During his talk, he showed motion pictures that had been taken during the two year expedition.

While in Sandusky, Admiral Byrd visited the Parker Air Field, where he signed the register. During his visit here, he suggested that the Air Field be lighted. 

Sheriff John Parker can be seen in the picture below with the Admiral.

 John W. Parker and Lucius Parker operated the first airport in Sandusky from about 1927 to 1937, when it was sold to the city. It became the Griffing Sandusky Airport until it was closed in 2013.

Airplane at Parker Air Field in 1930

Byrd left Sandusky the next morning in a  Ford tri-motor plane that had been supplied by Edsel Ford. Admiral Byrd was to give a lecture in Detroit, Michigan.

A brief film clip entitled With Byrd at the South Pole can be viewed at Turner Classic Movies.