Crawford County Airport - near Palestine, IL
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 39° 00.462 W 087° 38.476
16S E 444477 N 4317826
Originally built by the US Army as a training base attached to George Army Airfield, now a municipal airport with history. The Rousch Brothers learned to fly here.
Waymark Code: WMKYB9
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 06/14/2014
Views: 2
County of entry: Crawford County
Location of site: IL-33, @ airport, 1½ miles W. of Palestine
The Crawford County Historical Society erected a marker to the Rousch Brothers at the entrance to the airport.
Text of that marker: ROUSCH BROTHERS - AVIATION PIONEERS
Usher -- October 13, 1891 -- April 4, 1941, built his first airplane in 1909. From 1913-1927 he learned to fly, barnstormed, and did stunt flying. Pilot and instructor for Interstate Airline and American Airways 1928-1930 and American Airlines 1930-1939. In 1931 he helped organize Air Line Pilots Association and was secretary from 1934-1939. He was Captain on American Airlines 1930-1931. From 1939-1941 he was a pilot with Taga in Central America.
Charles -- March 4, 1896 -- January 21, 1932. Learned to fly WWI. In 1922 he owned his own plane. During 1922-1924 Charles and Berl built 2 Jennys. They barnstormed, operated their own flying circus, performed parachute jumps, and gave exhibition flights. In 1929 Charles became an instructor and a Captain for Universal Airlines also established new routes for this airline. In 1931 he was a pilot for Northwest Airlines.
Berl -- October 2, 1900 -- December 12, 1939. Learned to fly in 1922. Helped Charles build two planes in 1923-1924. Active with the Flying circus and barnstorming.
From this field the three brothers pioneered in aviation. Original hanger still stands at the north end of this field.
"Truly dedicated men for the progress of aviation."