Asheville News

A bit of Flyboys history

Jason Sandford January 29, 2007

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

The special collector’s edition of the movie Flyboys is out now. The movie is a fictionalized account of something that really happened – the adventures of the Lafayette Escadrille, who were Americans who volunteered for the French military before the U.S. entered World War I. The bi-plane flying flyboys are considered the USA’s first fighter pilots.

As usual, all roads lead to Ashvegas, right? So check the historical marker that you’ve probably passed a million times on Merrimon Avenue but never really noticed. It marks the home spot of a member of the Lafayette Escadrille who came from – you guessed it – Ashvegas. Cool, huh?

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

Mutt

Blue Ridge Roller Girls still rock

5 Comments

bill January 30, 2007

No, my post does not read right. All of those places have historical markers, just most of them are at the site of the alleged historical event, not 330yards SE or whatever…

and yeah, the military moves you around a bit.

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Edgy Mama January 30, 2007

Wow, bill, you’ve lived in more states than I have! For the record, both Colorado and Massachusetts seem to have lots of historical markers. Of the states I’ve lived in, I think Mass wins.

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bill January 30, 2007

Being a recent transplant to NC, I have noticed that a lot with state historical markers. I had never noticed that anywhere else I lived (CA, MO, KS, NY, NJ. MD) so it must be a NC specialty.
It is odd, but in a sensible kind of way.

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Catnap January 30, 2007

I used to walk by this sign everyday. I always thought it was funny that it was posted 200 yards east of his house. I guess on Merrimon Avenue more people drive by and ignore it than if it were in front of where is actual house was.

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Asheville Pubcrawler January 29, 2007

Thanks for posting this. The Special Collections department at the UNCA library has material on WW I aviators including Rockwell, if anyone is interested.

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