<– Click to enjoy My Gal Sal, a song from the 1910’s when the Stinson Siblings were learning to fly!
Just like planes travel around, the Stinson Siblings went many places in their lives. Here are some significant places from throughout the lives of the Stinson Siblings. You can explore these locations either by scrolling through the images below or by clicking the map in the bottom right corner of the page.
Stinson Aviation Company, Hot Springs, AR
Katherine Stinson in an Airplane, Photo taken by Art Reyes at Stinson Airport
Katherine loved being a pilot and realized that she could make money teaching others to fly. Katherine and her mother initially created the Stinson Aviation Company in Hot Springs, Arkansas before Katherine decided to move to San Antonio instead.
Stinson Field, San Antonio, TX
Stinson Terminal from 1936, Photo courtesy the San Antonio Express-News
After moving to San Antonio, Katherine Stinson initially flew and taught students how to fly at Fort Sam Houston, a large U.S. Army fort found in the city. After two years, Katherine was told that she couldn’t use Fort Sam Houston anymore, so she leased a property from the city of San Antonio and started a flight school at what would become Stinson Field. The field was later named after the Stinson Family in the 1930’s.
World War I, France
Marjorie Stinson in Holland’s Magazine January 1918, Photo courtesy TSLAC Archives and Information Services Division
During World War I, Marjorie taught flying lessons at Stinson Field to American and Canadian military flyers. Katherine traveled to France in order to help wounded soldiers as a nurse. Unfortunately, Katherine Stinson became sick with a lung disease called tuberculosis while in France. Back then, tuberculosis did not have a cure, so Katherine Stinson had trouble breathing for the rest of her life.
Stinson Aircraft Corporation, Northville, Michigan
Stinson Aircraft Corporation in the 1920’s, Photo courtesy Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Michigan: Southern Detroit Area
Eddie Stinson, the brother of Katherine and Marjorie, worked for awhile at Stinson Field in San Antonio. Eventually he moved to Michigan and started an aircraft manufacturing company called the Stinson Aviation Corporation. Stinson Aircraft were manufactured between the 1920’s and 1950’s. Many are still flying today!
Katherine Starts a New Career, Santa Fe, NM
The Stinson Siblings – Katherine, Eddie, and Marjorie, Photo courtesy the San Antonio Express-News
During the 1920’s Katherine married and moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico because the drier air was better for her tuberculosis. She decided to become an architect instead of continuing as an aviator. Many buildings still standing in Santa Fe were partially designed by Katherine. She was an amazing woman!
Wow, the Stinson Siblings went many places and did some extraordinary things during their lives. They travelled all around the US and even went to Europe. As we conclude this lesson in the next section, think about the places you’d like to go during your future career.
