Ira Allen's Balloon Ascension

In 1888, Professor Ira Allen Ascended from Ross Park in a Hot Air Balloon!

The property here at 454 Pine Street in Williamsport has seen many changes since Michael Ross, co-founder of Williamsport, first owned this special piece of downtown. Originally set aside as a burial site for his own family, the property was to be gifted to the city of Williamsport by Michael Ross. His good intentions failed, however, when he unfortunately passed away prior to the incorporation of the city in 1866, and the deeded property fell into the hands of his descendants who neglected the graveyard. Ross and his family, along with the rest of the "tenants" of the old Pine Street Cemetery, eventually had to be moved to the then new cemetery on Washington Boulevard where they now "rest in peace."

Feel free to read more about this in the "Williamsport History" section under the "About Us" tab here on our website.

So after the graveyard was removed in the late 1860's, but before ground was broken to start the construction of the old City Hall in 1893, Williamsport enjoyed this property once called "Ross Park" when only whispers of the cemetery (and a few missed headstones) remained.

Even though the park itself did not receive the care it deserved, there is a piece of our history that historical investigator Bruce Huffman shared with me that is worthy of remembering. Together with Bruce's research, a single photograph housed in the James V. Brown Library's collection paints a vivid picture of the crowd that came out to see the performance of a well-known aeronaut, Professor Ira Allen, that Fourth of July in 1888.

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THE BALLOON ASCENSION
by Bruce Huffman

A unique experience in the history of Ross Park occurred as part of the July 4th celebration in 1888. On that day, around 6 pm, Professor Ira Allen, a well known "aeronaut" who had travelled from Dansville, N. Y., slowly arose in a hot air balloon. "Ross Park and the adjacent streets, house tops, barn roofs and trees were all filled with an anxious crowd of people," it was reported.

Unfortunately, because the balloon was not properly inflated, the "ascension" did not go well. The airship barely rose above the tree tops to the northeast before landing "on the roof of the Market Street station of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad," badly tearing the balloon. "The illustrious navigator of the air" was unharmed but "the affair was a great disappointment to the sweltering mass of humanity."

"With a determination to prove to the citizens of Williamsport that he is not a humbug as a balloonist," Professor Allen scheduled another ascension the next evening. This attempt was deemed much more successful by the "large gathering of people in Ross Park and vicinity." Rising to a considerable height and while the balloon was "on the upward flight, the nervy aeronaut performed some blood curdling feats on the trapeze, swinging from the bar with one hand, whirling around it and hanging from it by his feet." 

The airship then descended rapidly over Market Street "and the Professor stopped on the gymnastics business." After skirting through an apple tree the balloon landed on the house of Dr. Lewis Ayres, on East Fourth Street. The crash caused some damage to Dr. Ayres' roof and demolished the chimney. Professor Allen escaped with a few bruises.

Still, the onlookers were pleased and Professor Ira Allen was congratulated on his balloon ascension, "as it was a grand one and gave the utmost satisfaction" to those who witnessed it.

Researched and written by Bruce Huffman, Historical Investigator

Excerpts from the Sun and Banner and Gazette and Bulletin newspaper

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The quotes that Bruce used in the above story were much appreciated.  Bruce said to me in an email that he had "found that much history is lost by leaving out the colorfully descriptive writing style of the times."

I have to agree!

In addition to this blog, my first attempt EVER at creating something (hopefully) worthy of YouTube, can be seen by using this link to watch a fun four-minute Doodly video I created in honor of Professor Ira Allen's entertaining feats that thrilled the citizens of Williamsport in July of 1888.

(And YAY, something you can share with your children as well.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=w2Kd_cHTMdE&feature=youtu.be

Enjoy!!