Florence Lowe "Pancho" Barnes (July 14, 1901 – March 30, 1975), was a pioneer of women's aviation and the owner of the celebrated Happy Bottom Riding Club located on land annexed into Edwards Air Force Base in southern California's Antelope Valley in the southwestern United States.
Early years
She was born as
Florence Leontine Lowe on
July 14,
1901 to Thaddeus Lowe II (1870-?). The Lowe's were a wealthy family in
San Marino, California, Florence Lowe was reared to become a society lady. An adventurous streak had always been present in her family, and the young Florence learned the spectrum of hunting, fishing, and camping skills from her father. She is even known to have gone horseback riding with the young George S. Patton, Jr. across the Alhambra plains. Another inspiration was her grandfather, Prof.
Thaddeus S. C. Lowe, who had pioneered American aviation with the establishment of the
Union Army Balloon Corps during the
American Civil War. However, her upper-class upbringing and her mother's fears about her wild tendencies and
tomboy-like attitude led to a
1919 marriage to Reverend C. Rankin Barnes of
South Pasadena, with whom she had a son, William E. Barnes.
More on
[ Pancho Barnes ]
404
Barnes - Aviation's Companion - Biography and photographs from the Edwards Air Force Base site.
500
Flygirls - Pancho Barnes - Colorful quotes and anecdotes.
Pancho Barnes Enterprises - Illustrated biography, contact information for archives, licensing for trademarks and copyrights.
Meta Description: [ Celebrating a great American's life. ]