ptCollection,1922-1973.docVIP

Alaska State Library Historical Collections Jones, Roy F. Roy F. Jones Manuscript Collection, 1922-1973 MS 004-38-1 2 Folders: Processed by: Alea Oien, 6/2009, Newspaper and Magazine articles Anastasia Tarmann 23 black and white photographs ACQUISITION: The collection was de-accessioned and transferred to the Alaska State Library Historical Collections in May of 2007, by Mark A. Green, Director, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming. Accession # 2007-013. The collection was originally donated by Carol Jones Tokcaer in June of 1985. ACCESS: The collection is unrestricted. COPYRIGHT: Request for permission to publish or reproduce material from the collection should be discussed with the Librarian. Photocopying does not constitute permission to publish. PROCESSING: This collection has been described at the folder level. All items have been placed in mylar and into pH-neutral folders. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE Roy Franklin Jones October 16, 1893- Feb. 17, 1974 was the first pilot to fly an airplane to Alaska from Seattle, landing in Ketchikan July 17, 1922. He is credited with starting the first commercial flights in Alaska. In 1922 he purchased a Curtis MF flying-boat hull and wings from the naval supply depot in Philadelphia and a French Hispano-Suiza Model I motor from an aviation supply house in Dayton, Ohio and had them shipped by rail to Seattle, Washington. He assembled and tested the plane in Eddie Hubbard’s hanger on Lake Union. The building was erected by William Boeing for his Boeing Airplane Company. The plane, the “Northbird,” had only 180 horsepower. For commercial use it was a little underpowered, but could carry three passengers in the open cockpit and fly 90 miles an hour at top efficiency. Roy Jones stayed in Ketchikan and formed the Northbird Aviation Co. The first Alaskan airline closed business after the “Northbird” crashed into Heckman Lake in August of 1923. Although short-lived the business served a great purpose sh