Uncovering Celina’s Lost Aviation Secrets: The Beam School of Aviation

Introduction: Celina’s Unexpected Flight Legacy

In the late 1910s, Celina, Ohio, transformed into a hub of early American aviation with the founding of the Beam School of Aviation. Established by local entrepreneur B. Ward Beam—a local auto race driver and barnstorming stunt flyer¹—the school attracted aspiring aviators, daring instructors, and curious onlookers. Bringing the thrill and risks of flight to a small Ohio town, the school trained pilots for wartime service and performed spectacular stunts, marking Celina’s place in the annals of American aviation.

Likely Beginnings in 1916: Early Operations and Setbacks

While the exact opening date of the Beam School of Aviation is not documented, evidence confirms it began operations in late 1916. By early January 1917, it was training students and conducting regular flights. The Beam Aviation School used a Thomas Model E Pusher Aeroplane on its flying field in Celina⁴. The local facilities for ice flying enabled the school to maintain over 100 minutes in the air each day even in winter⁴. The instructors at the time were Billy Brock and Monte Rolfe⁴.

Some accounts indicate that the Beam School of Aviation’s field was located about five miles north of Celina on the east side of U.S. Highway 127, citing its role as a Mercer County contribution to America’s World War I efforts¹. Yet an August 12, 1917, Dayton Daily News report placed the school only “about a mile from the city,” prompting speculation that differing estimates, journalistic shorthand, or even multiple field sites might account for this discrepancy¹⁵. Regardless of the exact distance, the school’s presence drew crowds of onlookers and would-be flyers curious about Celina’s budding aviation scene.

One early incident involved aviator Monte Rolfe, known as “The Boy Birdman,” who faced a perilous emergency landing on Lake Mercer (now Grand Lake). A strong wind forced him down onto the frozen lake, resulting in a scalp wound and a wrenched leg². Despite his injuries, Rolfe continued his aviation career. According to one source, Rolfe—a handsome, slender young Canadian who trained at the school—was later killed in an air battle in France¹. However, another source reports that Rolfe continued performing stunts until his death in a plane crash in Havana, Cuba, in 1921³.

January 1917: Chief Instructor Billy Brock and Early Community Engagement

In January 1917, the school appointed William “Billy” Brock as chief instructor. Known for his daring flights, Brock quickly drew public interest. During this period, he took multiple passengers on flights, including local resident Earl Schlenker, who described his exhilaration at reaching 9,000 feet⁵.

On January 30, local telephone operator Luetta Zender became the first Celina woman to fly, returning from her flight “enchanted and thrilled.” Mrs. Bert Beam, wife of the school’s founder, took her flight directly after Zender, highlighting growing local support and interest in aviation⁶.

One perspective on Billy Brock’s skill as an instructor comes from Helen Kay Schunck, who recalled in 1927: “I worked with Billy Brock when he was flying instructor at a little hay-wire school of aviation out in Ohio in 1917—and he was a good flyer even before that.”³¹ Schunck, a Celina High School graduate and daughter of Andrew Schunck, superintendent of the Mercer County Home, first became interested in aviation while working alongside Brock in 1917.³² She later worked as a stenographer at McCook Flying Field in Dayton before becoming secretary to Anthony Fokker of the Fokker Airplane Company in New York City.³² In the same 1927 article, Schunck emphasized that “No flying school which does not give actual flying instruction can be of great value… the only way to learn to fly is to fly,” underscoring Billy Brock’s hands-on approach and the Beam School’s broader commitment to rigorous flight training.³¹

Early 1917: Growing Interest and Facility Expansion

Interest in the aviation school grew rapidly, prompting B. Ward Beam to open office rooms above the Olnhausen Jewelry Store on South Main Street⁷. He found it almost impossible to keep up with the many inquiries received each day⁷. Plans were underway to open additional offices, including one in Chicago⁷.

A new war aeroplane had arrived and was on the Aviation Field, with demonstrations for the many enrolled students being held daily⁷. Another big aeroplane arrived, equipped with pontoons, and Brock planned to begin making flights from the waters of Grand Lake in the near future⁷.

March 1917: Acquisition of Military Biplane

In March 1917, the school acquired a military biplane equipped with a 100-horsepower engine, expanding its ability to train students in military maneuvers⁸. The planes used were typical of that day—the flimsy biplane pusher type, with the motor and propeller mounted at the rear and the pilot seated at the extreme front in a fragile framework seat¹. In case of a motor failure or crash landing, the pilot was at significant risk¹.

June 1917: Partnership With Herman E. Cron and Manufacturing Plans

To support growing technical needs, Beam partnered with local businessman Herman E. Cron in June 1917 to establish a repair facility on East Fayette Street, providing students with essential mechanical training for aircraft maintenance⁹. On June 13, the Beam Airplane Company was officially incorporated with a capital of $10,000, marking a significant step in the school’s growth¹⁰¹¹. The incorporators were J. C. Dibsdall, Herman E. Cron, G. A. Booaz, and H. J. Beam¹¹.

The company planned to manufacture airplanes for the United States aviation department, aiming to supply equipment for the government’s aviation corps¹¹. The plant was to be located in Celina, and the bulk of the work would be used on machines of the aviation school¹¹.

An advertisement in Aviation and Aeronautical Engineering in August 1917 announced that the Beam Airplane Company was accepting a few students in their aviation school¹². They offered training on Curtiss and European motors, tractor and pusher machines, and construction experience, with reasonable fees and living expenses, and no charge for breakage¹².

May 1917: Cincinnati Speedway Performance

In mid-May, B. Ward Beam returned from Dayton highly elated over securing Aviator Billy Brock’s appearance at the International Sweepstakes Automobile Races at the Cincinnati Speedway on Decoration Day, May 30.³³ He was scheduled to join famed aviators Ruth Law, Katherine Stinson, and Baxter Adams in a series of daring stunts, including looping the loop and head-first dives, before a massive holiday crowd. Brock was also slated to carry world-renowned auto drivers Ralph DePalma and Ralph Mulford as passengers, underscoring the Beam School’s growing prominence in the aviation community.³³

June 1917: Flights Over Lima and Regional Influence

In late June 1917, two Beam School airplanes were spotted flying over Lima, Ohio, drawing the attention of hundreds of residents¹³. The planes flew at approximately 75 miles per hour and left fiery trails in the sky that captivated onlookers¹³. These flights showcased the school’s regional influence and the capabilities of its aircraft.

Summer 1917: Daily Flights, Public Interest, and Student Body

Throughout the summer, Beam School flights became daily spectacles in Celina’s skies, with pilots performing flights that drew crowds along the field¹⁴. Large numbers of Sunday pleasure-seekers visited the aviation field to witness the flights and even experience flying themselves¹⁵.

The school was equipped with capable instructors and planes suitable for school work, including three pusher-type planes and one military tractor, all equipped with over 100-horsepower motors¹⁵. A photograph published in August 1917 showcased some of the students and staff at the school¹⁵. Among them were:

• Lee Crawford, Erie, Pa., who made a perfect landing after his initial solo flight.
• Henry Hoy, a young student “direct from the Orient.”
• John Griffiths, Lake Forest, Ill.
• H. N. Schreuder, Pittsburgh, Pa.
• E. A. Hillary, Oklahoma City, Okla.
• L. Callacett, Los Angeles, Cal.
• Lestere Miller, Chief Instructor, Marlin, Texas.
• Foster Breck, Head Mechanic, Springfield, Ohio.
• Walter Mason, Madison, Wis.
• Philip Ringle, Bound Brook, N.J.
• Paul C. Bergen, Unionville, Conn.
• Henning Helst, Copenhagen, Denmark.
• E. A. Harris, Celina.
• J. C. Dibsdall, Liverpool, England.

Their diverse backgrounds underscored the school’s wide appeal and growing reputation.

August 1917: Fair Exhibitions and Spectacular Night Flight

In August 1917, during the Mercer County Fair, the school organized two daily flights, with planes taking off from the field north of Celina and circling the fairgrounds¹⁶. Fair attendees were encouraged to inquire about training and passenger flights¹⁶.

Aviator Lestere Miller staged a memorable night flight that month, using fireworks to simulate an aerial bombing raid. Performing loops and figure-eights that left trails of fire in the sky, Miller’s flight captivated the town¹⁷.

September 1917: Exhibitions and Fair Flights

In September 1917, the Beam Airplane Company expanded its visibility by participating in the Licking County Fair in Newark, Ohio¹⁸. Piloted by Chief Instructor Fred Hillen and student aviator Alva Holeslaw, the airplane flew from Celina to Newark, passing over Bellefontaine, Marysville, and Columbus¹⁸. The machine, a Thomas-Morse type specially built for student work, performed flights at the fair and was scheduled to return to Celina, possibly passing back through Marysville¹⁸.

October 1917: Tragic Accident and Aftermath

October 1917 brought tragedy when Chief Instructor Fred Hillen and Manager James Dibsdall were performing aerobatic maneuvers from 800 feet. Their plane entered a sudden nosedive and crashed into the field¹⁹. Both men were severely injured and trapped beneath the wreckage¹⁹.

Hillen, a respected aviator from San Francisco, died later that day at Otis Hospital²⁰. Dibsdall sustained critical injuries, including a severe head wound, a nearly severed nose, and damage to both eyes²¹²². Initially, there was concern that his right leg might need amputation, but efforts were made to save it using a cast similar to those used on battlefields²². Dibsdall was conscious but mentally confused, and it was believed he would never be able to guide another plane²².

December 1917: Brock’s Record-Breaking Loop-the-Loop Display

In December 1917, Celina businessmen arranged for Aviator Billy Brock to give a treat to Christmas shoppers in the form of an airplane flight²⁴. On Saturday afternoon, December 22, Brock executed maneuvers that looked utterly impossible to the public, including looping the loop²⁴. As thousands of Christmas shoppers watched, Brock looped his plane ten consecutive times over Celina, creating a spectacle that awed onlookers²³²⁴.

February 1918: Mysterious Airplane Incident Near Camp Zachary Taylor

In February 1918, a mysterious incident involving the Beam Airplane Company occurred near Camp Zachary Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky²⁵²⁶²⁷. A two-seated airplane with an old model six-cylinder engine was found wrecked and abandoned in a field near the army cantonment²⁵. The airplane bore a tag reading “For Ward Beam, Louisville, Ky., from Beam Airplane Company, Celina, O.”²⁵²⁷.

A farmer reported that early Sunday morning, a man dressed like an aviator with a badly injured shoulder had asked for whisky and then disappeared²⁵²⁶. Soldiers were sent to investigate, and the incident sparked rumors of a German airplane crash, causing a stir among local military personnel²⁶.

April 1918: Henry Wong’s Pursuit of Aviation

In April 1918, Henry Wong, an 18-year-old Portland-born Chinese-American who had trained at the Beam School of Aviation for eight months and graduated with high honors, continued his aviation pursuits²⁸²⁹. Barred from U.S. military service due to his age, Wong returned to Portland and began constructing his own airplane to keep in training and be ready to serve when needed²⁸²⁹. He expected to have his tractor biplane completed and ready for an exhibition flight before the end of June²⁸.

Wong had initially worked at the E. B. Heath Airplane Company in Chicago, obtaining a rudimentary knowledge of airplane construction²⁸. His determination and skill exemplified the spirit of the school’s students.

July 1918: Revival Efforts by Philip “Jersey” Ringle

In July 1918, former student Philip Ringle, better known to his Celina friends as “Jersey,” returned with the intention of reopening the school that was previously conducted at the field north of town³⁰. On Saturday afternoon, July 4, while attempting a landing at the aviation field east of town after a successful flight, Ringle hit the ground with such force that it pitched him from the machine³⁰. He was considerably bruised but survived³⁰.

Ringle had been trying to get into the government service but was prevented by a slight lameness³⁰. Despite his injury, his dedication to aviation underscored the lasting legacy of the Beam School in the community.

Conclusion: Celina’s Aviation Legacy

The Beam School of Aviation represents a remarkable chapter in Celina’s history, capturing a time when this small Ohio town contributed significantly to early American aviation. Figures like Monte Rolfe, who trained at the school and was later reported to have been killed either in an air battle in France¹ or in a plane crash in Havana, Cuba, in 1921³, and Billy Brock, who led the school as chief instructor, embodied the daring spirit of flight. Students from diverse backgrounds—including students like Henry Wong and Henning Helst from Copenhagen, Denmark¹⁵—acquired skills that carried them into military and civilian aviation careers.

Though the school’s operation was brief, its legacy of courage, innovation, and community pride endures as an integral part of Celina’s heritage.

Footnotes

¹ History of Mercer County Ohio, Bronsart H. Gildberg, 1959.
² The Celina Democrat, Jan 5, 1917, p.1.
³ Aerial Age Weekly, Sep 5, 1921.
⁴ Aerial Age Weekly, Feb 12, 1917, p.587.
⁵ The Celina Democrat, Jan 26, 1917, p.1.
⁶ The Lima Times-Democrat, Jan 31, 1917, p.12.
⁷ The Celina Democrat, Apr 6, 1917, p.1.
⁸ The Celina Democrat, Mar 23, 1917, p.8.
⁹ The Celina Democrat, Jun 22, 1917, p.1.
¹⁰ The Dayton Herald, Jun 13, 1917, p.19.
¹¹ Lima Daily News, Jun 13, 1917, p.9.
¹² Aviation and Aeronautical Engineering, Aug 1, 1917, p.65.
¹³ The Lima Times-Democrat, Jun 29, 1917, p.1.
¹⁴ The Lima Times-Democrat, Jul 27, 1917, p.8.
¹⁵ Dayton Daily News, Aug 12, 1917, p.22.
¹⁶ The Coldwater Chronicle, Aug 10, 1917, p.8.
¹⁷ The Celina Democrat, Aug 31, 1917, p.1.
¹⁸ Marysville Journal-Tribune, Sep 12, 1917, p.2.
¹⁹ The Celina Democrat, Oct 5, 1917, p.1.
²⁰ The Coldwater Chronicle, Oct 5, 1917, p.1.
²¹ Dayton Daily News, Oct 5, 1917, p.10.
²² The Lima Times-Democrat, Oct 9, 1917, p.3.
²³ Dayton Daily News, Dec 23, 1917, p.1.
²⁴ The Celina Democrat, Dec 21, 1917, p.1.
²⁵ Lexington Herald, Feb 25, 1918.
²⁶ Meade County Messenger, Feb 27, 1918, p.2.
²⁷ Dayton Daily News, Feb 25, 1918, p.10.
²⁸ The Oregonian, Apr 7, 1918.
²⁹ The Oregonian, Apr 7, 1918.
³⁰ The Celina Democrat, Jul 5, 1918, p.1.
³¹ Schunck, Helen Kay. “Getting Into Aviation.” The Saturday Evening Post, vol. 200, no. 19, 5 Nov. 1927, pp. 13, 76, 78.
³² Decatur Daily Democrat, vol. 25, no. 260, 3 Nov. 1927.
³³ The Celina Democrat, May 11, 1917, p.1.