THE GALT TECHNICAL JUNIOR COLLEGE FOR AERONAUTICS |
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John Casey, a teacher at Galt High School, wrote a history of the school in
which he researched and reported the story of the Galt Technical Junior College
of Aeronautics. What follows is an account of this very important part of
Galt history.
Galt High School, the Progressive YearsThose of you who would walk five hundred or a thousand miles in order to attend school, please raise your hands. A no-count. Back in that swing around the sun we called 1928, Harry Allen walked three thousand miles in order to attend school in Galt. His trek began from St. Paul, Minnesota with a sad lack of money, so he worked for his meals and lodging on the way west. On Sundays, he did not journey onward, which is why it took him about a month and a half to reach his destination - - Galt, California. As a matter of fact, Galt, California became a magnet for a number of young men from all over our nation. In all, 600 young men in over 11 of our then 48 states sought admission to Galt, but only 75 were tentatively accepted. The lure which drew this wave of high-minded young men was that although Galt High School was a newly erected and solidly built edifice, it was trying to get off the ground, at least some of its student body were. In November of 1927, a course in Aeronautical Sciences was introduced at Galt, and quickly extended its learning to an extra-curricular service to the community by giving weather readings which were published in the Galt Herald. Then, in December, 1927, residents beheld some sky birds which seemed to bother ground-bound birds such as the chickens. Three planes began to fly around the Galt High School flying field—a 78 acre plot, with well-graded 4-way landing strips, a quantity of engines and parts, valued at $175,000 to Galt High School. So it was in 1928, Galt High School was the only high school in the entire United States giving aeronautics courses. These courses included: science of aeronautics, weather observation and forecasting, navigation, engine design and construction. Thirty-two students were enrolled in these aviation classes, with two faculty members in these areas. The students flew daily, but not alone. Mr. William Rutherford, principal of the high school, learned to fly in February, 1928, and thereby earned the appellation of the “Flying Schoolmaster”. Mr. Rutherford also taught aerodynamics and navigation. Lieutenant Le Roy Gregg, was chief pilot at Galt; the engineering instructor was Gordon Dobson. Galt High School became a four-year junior college with a course in Aeronautics, beginning in the junior year of high school and ended at the sophomore year of college. All courses and work, plus the 50 hours of flying time, were given grades. In June, U.C.L.A. followed Galt’s example and made plans for a course in aviation. The planes used at Galt included a large Navy M-O monoplane, a standard Jennie, and several motors. The Eaglerock was owned by the students and was used for instruction. Read about a recent discovery about the flying school. |
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This page was last edited:
01/20/2007 - copyright
Galt Area Historical Society |
