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From Rock Springs to Chicago by air, 1927

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Mary Berta and her unidentified companion, both in dresses and heels, stand in front of a Boeing 40 at the old Rock Springs Airport - now the White Mountain Golf Course - just before departure of their flight to Chicago on September 2, 1927. Photo Courtesy of the United Airlines Legacy Foundation. Used with thanks.

Photo #1:    Mary Berta and her unidentified companion at the old Rock Springs Airport - now the White Mountain Golf Course - just before departure of their flight to Chicago on September 2, 1927 aboard a Boeing 40.    (Photo Courtesy of the United Airlines Legacy Foundation. Used with thanks.)

 Left: a Boeing Model 40 with it's individual cabin doors, built into the fuselage behind the engine, open. Right: The wood paneled interior of a Boeing Model 40 cabin, a phone hangs on the wall.

Photo #2 - The Boeing Model 40's passenger accommodations were two tiny individual cabins, shown here. Each cabin was fitted with a fold-down desk.

 Four individuals stand in front of a Boeing Model 40. The three on the right all wear different kinds of hats and full light coveralls. The one on the left bears long boots and a flannel top. Arrows indicate the location of the passenger compartments, in the fuselage between the engine and cockpit, and cockpit, located just behind the wings.

Photo #3 - This Boeing Model 40, shown here with its ground crew, at the Rock Springs Airport, circa 1930, was operated by American Railway Express, a forerunner of United Parcel Service and FedEx.

 Text reads: 'Rock Springs, Wyoming September 21, 1927 Mr. H. M. Berry. Manager Boeing Aircraft, Inc. Rock Springs, Wyoming Dear Mr. Berry: I cannot forego sending you a letter of appreciation of the airflight I made September 2 over your line from Rock Springs, Wyoming to Chicago--A trip covering approximately 1500 miles over four states. The outstanding courtesy of your corps of trained attaches, the surprising comforts provided for your passengers, the goreous scenic delights beneath, the ever-spreading panoramic views and the trembling lights of the many cities we passed over a night, are all a never-to-be-neglected memory. I was impressed with the wonderful safety devices arranged for illuminating the night landings and the beacon flash lights along the course to direct the pilot. The various pilots used extreme care to eliminate every possible element of hazard and afforded every consideraton to the comfort and safety of the passengers--removing all fear! The refreshments provided at Cheyenne, North Platte, and Omaha were the acme of thoughtfulness. The easy flight of the plane was so restful, really a panacea for a nervous person; and the multiplicity of comforts in the cozy stateroom, where we could sew and write with ease, illustrated the old Latin maxim--multum in parvo! You have reduced the fear of air travel to a minimum and made an air enthusiast of me. Hereafter I shall be a Twentieth Century traveler and 'take the air' whenever possible. The various landings were so easy and so gentle. My only regret at the end of the voyage was that I had to 'give up the ship!' I did wish to keep it forever! My sincere thanks go to the several employees who made the trip so pleasant and so successful. Again thanking you and your extremely courteous men, I beg to remain Sincerely Yours, Mary Berta.'

Photo #4 - Mary Berta’s letter to H.M. Berry of Boeing.  (Photo Courtesy of the United Airlines Legacy Foundation. Used with thanks.)

 

(Sweetwater County, Wyo. - March 16, 2024)    The Sweetwater County Historical Museum was recently made aware of a letter and a photograph that provide a glimpse of long-distance air travel from Sweetwater County in the 1920s.

On September 21, 1927, Mary Berta of Rock Springs wrote a letter to H.M. Berry, Boeing’s Rock Springs manager, regarding her recent flight from Rock Springs to Chicago aboard a Boeing 40, a mail-carrying biplane with passenger accommodations for two.

The Model 40 was Boeing’s first passenger aircraft and made its formal introduction on July 1, 1927. It was a large transport for its time, with a wingspan of 44 feet, 2 inches, an overall length of a little over 33 feet, and a gross weight of 6,000 pounds. It carried a pilot in an open cockpit, two passengers in tiny individual cabins, one in front of the other, and up to half a ton of cargo.

In her letter, Mary described “The outstanding courtesy of trained attaches, the surprising comforts provided for the passengers, the gorgeous scenic delights beneath, the ever-spreading panoramic views and the trembling lights of the many cities we passed over a night, are all never-to-be neglected memory.” She also went on to say:  “I was impressed with the wonderful safety devices arranged for illuminating the night landings and the beacon flash lights along the course to direct the pilot.”

The Bertas were a civically active Rock Springs family. Mary and her brother Tom Berta, owned and operated several show houses and theaters in Rock Springs in the 1920s, including the Lyric, Oracle, Grand, and Rialto. Another brother, Joseph Berta, served as Chief of the Rock Springs Police Department and is credited with being instrumental in creating the town of South Superior and serving as one of its mayors. Dominick Berta, yet another brother, served as a deputy sheriff under Sheriff Al Morton and as Rock Springs Chief of Police under Mayor Chris Bunning. Mary died in 1967, age 83.