Goebel (Arthur C.) (1895-1973) Photograph Collection, 1640 – 1971

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Summary

Title:
Arthur C. Goebel (1895-1973) Photograph Collection
Dates:
1640 – 1971
Creators:
Goebel, Arthur Cornelius, 1895-1973
Abstract:
Extent:
Boxes: 22 letter (photographs); 5 oversized (photographs, scrapbooks, newspaper); 4 letter, 1 ½ letter (negatives); 5 record storage, 1 oversized, 1 letter (film reels). 1 oversized folder (photographs)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Arthur C. Goebel (1895-1973) Photograph Collection. Seaver Center for Western History Research, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Background

Scope and content:

Photographs, negatives, film reels, and scrapbooks from Goebel's personal and military life, career as a stunt, race, and film pilot, and his travels. The collection emphasizes the early age of aviation in the 1920s and 1930s in and around Los Angeles. Another major topic is the Dole Air Race from Oakland, California to Honolulu, Hawaii in 1927. There are also photographs of actors, actresses, and others in the film industry from the 1920s and 1930s. See finding aid. See also two separate indexes

Biographical / historical:

Arthur C. Goebel began his piloting career in 1920 when he began to learn to fly, though he would not get his pilot’s license until 1925. He would become a member of the 13 Black Cats in 1925 where he and his fellow pilots and stunt performers would performs stunts for a set price. These stunts included wing walking, flying upside down, transferring from a car to a plane, flying under bridges, and going from one plane to another to replace a lost wheel. These stunts would be recorded and played on newsreels around the country for the entertainment for all. The group would disband in 1929. Goebel offered lessons in stunt flying from Clover Field in Santa Monica, California and performed in various stunt shows in and around Los Angeles. He would also fly planes in movies such as Three Miles Up, and take aerial photography. Goebel’s biggest claim to fame is his victory in the Dole Air Race with his navigator Bill Davis flying the Woolaroc. Inspired by Charles Lindbergh’s solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean James D. Dole, founder of the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, decided to hold a race that went from Oakland, California to Honolulu, Hawaii with a grand prize of $25,000. Nine planes began the race, and only two would eventually make it to Hawaii. The rest either had to turn around back to Oakland or crashed. Ten people died in the race. Goebel and Davis would arrive in Honolulu after twenty six hours and seventeen minutes in the air, becoming stars across the country. Goebel would fly from Los Angeles to New York City the following year, completing the trip in eighteen hours and fifty eight minutes becoming the first person to fly nonstop between the two coasts and completing it in the fastest time. Goebel regularly competed in various races after his stunt flying days, winning awards around the country.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Seaver Center for Western History Research, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County staff.
Date Prepared:
1640 – 1971
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Research is by appointment only

Terms of access:

Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder

Preferred citation:

Arthur C. Goebel (1895-1973) Photograph Collection. Seaver Center for Western History Research, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Location of this collection:
900 Exposition Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007-4057, US
Contact:
(213) 763-3359
seavercenter@nhm.org
Website