In 1925, Port Huron Times launched the first winter air delivery to Michigan’s Thumb region, marking a historic moment of innovation amid extreme cold and blizzard conditions.
How Michigan’s Thumb Got Its News From the Sky in 1925
In January 1925, Michigan’s Thumb region was gripped by one of the harshest winters in memory. Snow drifts blocked roads and railways, isolating towns like Bad Axe, Harbor Beach, and Minden City from critical supplies and information. The daily news, a lifeline for many residents, was delayed for days. In an unprecedented response, the Port Huron Times orchestrated the region’s first aerial newspaper delivery, revolutionizing how communities stayed connected.
Harsh Weather Shuts Down Thumb Roads and Rails
The Thumb’s isolated geography made it especially vulnerable during the winter of 1925. Snowfall had buried roads and disrupted rail service, leaving small towns cut off from their usual supply chains. For many residents, newspapers were the primary source of information about both local and national events. The winter storm caused delays that left people waiting for days to learn what was happening beyond their snowbound towns.
To address this, The Times-Herald partnered with the U.S. Army’s Selfridge Field to implement a daring plan: deliver newspapers by air.
The Airborne Plan Comes Together
The plan began with mobilizing an Army biplane (Likely a Curtiss Jenny of the First Pursuit Group, equipped with skies) stationed in Oscoda, Michigan. ( In 1924, this field was a gunnery range used by Selfridge called Camp Skeel) Piloted by Lieutenant Henniger and assisted by Sergeant Whitehead as the onboard mechanic, the aircraft was tasked with flying thousands of feet above the Thumb region to distribute 1,200 copies of the newspaper.
Lieutenant Harry Hickey, overseeing the operation, coordinated with The Times-Herald to ensure the papers were packaged securely for the journey. Each bundle, weighing about 300 pounds in total, was loaded into the aircraft at the Port Huron Yacht Club, where the plane landed on the frozen St. Clair River. A black bunting cross was laid out on the ice to serve as a clear landing marker.
A Bold Solution: Newspaper Drops From the Sky
The airplane faced a unique challenge: the Thumb region had no suitable airstrips for landing. Instead of touching down, the crew devised an innovative method. Flying at a low altitude, the plane would drop the bundled newspapers over designated collection points in towns like Bad Axe and Harbor Beach.
Residents braved the subzero temperatures to gather the newspapers from these drop zones. In many cases, local volunteers distributed the papers further, ensuring that every household could receive the latest news, even in the midst of the storm.
A Breakthrough Moment for Aviation and Journalism
The mission marked a significant step in both aviation and journalism. For the residents of the Thumb, it was a rare and thrilling sight to see newspapers falling from the sky. Beyond its novelty, the event proved that airplanes could be used to overcome logistical challenges during emergencies.
The operation also underscored the importance of timely journalism. The Times-Herald cemented its reputation as a dependable source of information, willing to innovate to reach its readers.
Legacy of the 1925 Aerial Newspaper Delivery
The success of the 1925 aerial delivery not only helped the Thumb endure the winter storm but also set a historical footnote for the use of airplanes in logistics. This historic event highlighted the ingenuity of those determined to keep them informed. Today, it serves as a story to the pioneering spirit of both aviation and local journalism.
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