Air Museum of Minnesota Oral History Project: Interview with Earl D. Olson

Titles: Air Museum of Minnesota Oral History Project: Interview with Earl D. Olson (Supplied title)

Description: BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: In 1939, Earl D. "Ole" Olson became the first manager of the Duluth Airport, and served for twenty-five years. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Personal background; when interest in flying began; barnstorming experiences and kinds of aircraft he flew; "Dusty" Rhodes anecdote; memories of 1912 and flying. History of Duluth airport - site selection, land purchase, dedication; development; experiences as maintenance man; air service begins 1930; unsuccessful airlines; Lake Superior "lake head"; memories about people airfield named for, Johnson and Williamson; bootlegging - smuggling liquor from Canada during Prohibition; experiences as airport manager - typical year, "one-man operation", customer service, runway construction and maintenance; Reliability Tour, Cross-Country Tours for Snowbirds - solved problems of winter flying; engine starts on cold mornings; use of shock clips; early days business aircraft; World War II era programs - Civilian Pilot Training and War Training Service; forecasted growth versus real growth after war; Air Force Base at Duluth; military aircraft that landed in Duluth; current planes - 106 for Air Force and 102 for Air National Guard; funny anecdotes.

Dates

• 03/30/1968 (Creation)

Creation

• interviewee: Olson, Earl D.
• interviewer: Holey, George
• interviewer: Holey, Anne M.

Identifiers

• Library Call Number: OH 101
• Accession Number: AV1992.88.25

Holding Type: Oral History - Interview

Project

• Oral History - Project, MHS Collection, project: 'Air Museum of Minnesota Oral History Project' <OH 101>

Quantity: 2 hours sound cassette

Format

• Content Category: sound recordings

Measurements

• 75 minutes length

Subjects

How can we help?

• Help / About Collections Online
• Learn about the Collections
• Contact the Gale Family Library for help with research, orders, and use/licensing
• Have feedback or comments on the new Collections Online system? Please fill in the Collections Online Feedback Form.