100 years ago: The world’s largest dirigible takes flight over O’Fallon

100 years ago, Jan. 21, 1926

The RS-1, largest semi-rigid dirigible in the world and the largest of any airship in the army air service, had its second test flight Friday afternoon over O’Fallon, this time remaining in the air four hours.

Lieut. Arville Anderson, test pilot and temporary commander, said the trip proved satisfactory.

One or two trial flights will be made in the vicinity of the field before the ship will be sent over St. Louis, it was announced by Lieut. Col. J. A. Paegelow, commandant.

The dirigible is the permanent possession of Scott Field and will be used as a training ship. Friday’s trip was made from noon to 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

The new giant of the air is 282 feet long, 74 feet wide and 66 feet high. The bag has a capacity of 760,000 cubic feet of helium gas. It has a gasoline capacity of about 9,000 pounds and is capable of sustained flight of 2000 miles. Four Liberty engines of 300 horsepower each supply the power for the ship while it has two propellers 17 feet in length, which will make 600 revolutions per minute.

The big air monster floated over this city several times and quite a number of our citizens availed themselves of the opportunity to get a good view of it, several of the ship’s trips being at a low altitude.

75 years ago, Jan. 18, 1951

A new subdivision has been opened in O’Fallon and is being readied for home construction. The subdivision, known as Budina Place, is a continuation of Cedar street into W. Adams street.

A street will be constructed and sewer and water made available. There will be 16 lots with varying frontages available for sale in the subdivision. The lots will vary from 60 feet to 82 feet.

The subdivision is one of several new ones opened in recent years here. Most of the building lots in town have been purchased and many of them have homes built on them.

50 years ago, Jan. 22, 1976

The Double Eagle Saloon, 126 E. State St., was the center of controversy again this weekend. The result this time, however, was the suspension of the tavern’s liquor license for five days.

Early Saturday morning O’Fallon Police Patrolman Norman Fitch observed lights and patrons still inside the saloon after closing hours. Fitch reported that after knocking on the front door of the tavern no one answered. Fitch reported people were still in the tavern at 3:55 a.m.

Mayor Gary Mackey, who also serves as the city’s liquor commissioner, was notified of the incident and took action against the establishment operated by John Cowell of Collinsville.

Mackey said that another incident, such as Saturday’s, would result in revoking the tavern’s license permanently.