Humble Beginnings

This small start-up began as Central Aviation Company, which focused on reselling surplus propellers. They expanded the business to include airplane parts and engines. With a good stock of surplus aircraft from the war, it made sense that they would begin modifying these for resell. As business increased, so did their status in the aviation world. By hiring an engineer they were able to begin designing their own aircraft.

Star of the Show

The final design would be labeled the NB-3 after it’s designer Walter Barling. It was touted as a spin-proof aircraft that would right itself from any position. They took the plane to the 1929 National Air Races to test their mettle. It ended up placing at the head of the pack for its class. The NB-3 would be touted as a plane that you could learn to fly in one day.

Innovative Assets

We learned that it was the wings that were the real star. A double layer of corrugated aluminum made them very strong without adding excessive weight. The photo above shows the capacity to hold an amazing amount of stress. The NB-3 would raise a lot of eyebrows and put the Nicholas-Beazley Airplane Company in the headlines. This aircraft would be used to set records for altitude, distance, and speed.

Taking to the Skies

With things proceeding well, it was time to add another layer to their business. After Charles Lindberg’s successful Trans-Atlantic flight, interest in aviation was at an all-time high. To capitalize on this attention, they added the Marshall Flying School. Our tour guide, Bryan Berlin, explained to us that at one time it was the largest civilian flight program in the United States. For only $250, a student could learn how to pilot an aircraft. Between 1924 and 1932, nearly 4,000 people would pass through the school.

Signs of the Times

The early 1930s saw the introduction of the NB-8G, which featured fold-back wings. This allowed it to be towed behind a car, as well as making storage easier. While the interest in flight was not waning, the Great Depression took its toll on many businesses. The heydays had seen plenty of people enjoying this type of free-time activity, but now the marketplace had tanked. The factory ceased building planes by 1933 and would once again survive by selling parts. Times were tough and the owners did what they could to get by.

Something for Everyone

In 1935, one of the founder’s nephews designed an unusual aircraft. The Flying Flea was a miniature aircraft designed for homeowners. This single-seater was barely larger than a glider and was built using parts from around the factory. It certainly made us wonder who would take to the skies in such a contraption.

Space for the Kids

After our whirlwind tour of the museum, it was time to enjoy some hands-on time. The Nicholas-Beazley Aviation Museum offers plenty of space for young aviators to explore. While we may be a little older than the average visitor to this space, we are no strangers to playtime. It was nice to find that the museum was incorporating the S.T.E.M education principles into their exhibits.

Hands-On Learning

Exploring the displays tells the story of flight principles. Here we learned how the laws of physics are applied to aviation. They even have a sample jumbo jet where kids can pretend to be a pilot. Man, there are a lot of buttons and switches in there.

Taking Control

From the nearby control tower, we were able to get a birds-eye view of the museum. Of course, Crystal took the lead in helping guide an approaching plane. Yeah, we are a couple of big kids, but it helps us stay young. I bet you’d do the same thing during your visit.

Pilot Practice

One of our last stops was at the flight simulators. I had attempted this type of maneuvering during a visit to the TWA Museum, in Kansas City, and wanted to see if I had improved. After being shown the ropes, I found myself soaring above the trees in my virtual aircraft. This is definitely one activity that you will want to make sure you do, while at the museum.

Take to the Skies

Once again, you can see we had a blast learning about this hidden piece of Midwest history. The Nicholas-Beazley Aviation Museum is a great place to dive into the world of early aeronautics, all while keeping your feet firmly planted on the ground. They also have some fun selfie spots that we just had to partake in. This one had to be one of our favorites. Now we just have to figure out who’s flying this thing.

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One of a Kind Museum

The Wonder Dog of Marshall is certainly a well-documented story. In fact, we were wondering how it took us so long to hear about it. Arriving in Marshall, we made our way to the town square, where Jim the Wonder Dog Museum resides. We were a little early, so we started our visit to the memorial garden. At first, we thought it odd that a city would construct this type of memorial for a hunting dog. The walled garden is guarded by a brick wall with an impressive wrought-iron fence. Stepping toward the garden entrance, you find a bronze statue of Jim the Wonder Dog framed by the gate. Clearly, this canine made a lasting impression on the citizens of the city. After learning more about the exceptional hound, we would find ourselves impressed, as well.

Educational Stroll

The garden is a tranquil spot filled with lush landscaping. Our visit was mid-summer, so many of the plants were in full bloom. An oval path leads visitors around the small park and there are a few spots to sit and soak in the sights. From just about anywhere in the garden you can see the elevated sculpture of Jim. Of course, while he is the star of the show, much thought and attention has been put into making the garden a lovely place to loiter. Along the path, there are stations that each hold a part of Jim’s story. This is where it moves from a beloved pet to an uncanny canine.

The Wonder Dog of Marshall

To understand the Wonder Dog of Marshall we need to travel back to the mid-1920s. Our country was in the midst of the Great Depression. The economy was in shambles and people were barely scraping by. When the story of an amazing dog in Marshall began to circulate, it captured the attention of a populace starved for positive news. What could be more fascinating than a loyal pet that appeared to have some version of psychic abilities? While Jim seemed like a standard Lewellyn Setter, he was blessed with senses keener than most humans. While he refused the training of his owner Sam VanArsdale, his ability to root out birds would make him a favorite. Sam first noticed his abilities during a hunting trip, when the dog was able to identify various species of trees.

A Ruff Life

Over time, Jim’s abilities spread beyond hunting, to everyday life. He had a knack for pointing out vehicles by license number, color, or model. When Sam asked him to pick people out of a crowd, he was spot-on with his ability to determine which one “sells hardware” or is a “visitor from Kansas City”. He picked the correct girl from a group that was all wearing red dresses, but only after his owner added the instruction that it was the one with a polka-dotted bow in her hair. While just a coincidence, it was altogether fitting that Sam was the owner of the Ruff Hotel in Marshall, Missouri. With time, Jim’s accomplishments became known beyond the borders of Missouri. Stories about this remarkable mongrel were picked up by Field and Stream, as well as being featured by Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

Not Just Man’s Best Friend

This miraculous mutt charmed most people that he met. Having a chance to witness some of the astounding tasks that Jim performed was free entertainment. Being a time when people were struggling anyway, this most likely added to his fast-rising fame. While Sam spent a lot of time with his hunting partner, Mrs. VanArsdale also had a special relationship with their dog. She found Jim to be at peace with life and had a quiet demeanor. It was one of the paintings she made of Jim that would be used for the statue we found in the garden. Like many larger breeds, Jim had a relatively short life span. He passed at the age of 12 years old and although they tried, the family was not allowed to bury him in the family plot at the local cemetery. Jim would get the final satisfaction when the cemetery had to enlarge. The new border was moved to a position that put him well within the grounds.

Keep Searching for New Experiences

Learning about the Wonder Dog of Marshall was a great addition to our animal adventures. While many of our experiences are hands-on, like getting to feed Okapi, we also find satisfaction in the behind-the-scenes stories that are found all around us. The stories of this remarkable hound sound almost magical and invite skepticism and doubt. For us, we like to believe that Jim the Wonder Dog was a special gift that came along when people needed him the most. Even 80 years later it is a story that warms the heart.

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