Major Events In Year 1957

Aviation history comes to life at Paine Field

A combination of tight family budgets and high gas prices means that many won’t be enjoying vacation trips this summer.

A combination of tight family budgets and high gas prices means that many won’t be enjoying vacation trips this summer.

In fact, exhibits and activities at Snohomish County Airport – Paine Field – offer an opportunity to enjoy a range of aviation-related attractions like no other in the world.

And, for parents and educators worried about children losing their learning edge while away from the classroom for the summer, Paine Field’s attractions combine an enlightening march through 20th century aviation history with eye-opening exhibits of aircraft spanning an era from the beginning of flight to its future.

In fact, history lovers will be particularly impressed with displays of warbirds – aircraft designed and flown during two world wars – that have been assembled by aviation buffs with the money to pursue their passion and the willingness to share it with the rest of us.

Attractions include one-of-a-kind and rare aircraft restored to pristine condition by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen at the Flying Heritage Collection and by local attorney and businessman John Sessions at the Historic Flight Foundation, as well as behind-the-scenes reconstruction projects at the Museum of Flight Restoration Center and, of course, the Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour.

The truly enthusiastic air buff may even be able to wrangle a visit to the Legend Flyers’ Messerschmitt Me 262 Project (by special request only), considered a masterpiece of technology and innovation when Germany introduced it – too late – in the second world war.

This year, vendors at the various attractions have joined forces with special offers like the Paine Field Passport and Free Fly Days (see sidebars).

Many locals have probably taken the Boeing Tour, but may not be aware of the newer offerings. The latest must-see attractions start with the Flying Heritage Collection, which opened in June of 2008.

Allen’s love of warplanes dates to stories told by his father, who served in the Army in World War II. Like other boys his age, Allen enjoyed building model airplanes.

Sycamore Community Relives 1957 Murder

More than fifty years worth of articles and documents on the 1957 murder of seven-year-old Maria Ridulph sit in the Sycamore Public Library building.

"The papers would run articles about the kidnapping and people would reminisce about where they were, what they remember," explains Joiner History Room volunteer and DeKalb native Sue Breese.

Breese doesn't remember much about the murder since she was only two years-old, but working with historical archives has brought her up to speed. She has even shared the articles with police, which may have helped them find and arrest Jack McCullough in Seattle, Washington, for Ridulph's murder.

Breese says, "It feels good to be a small part of something like that, to be able to help bring closure."

Closure is something Sycamore resident Rita Carlson feels. She moved to the neighborhood where Ridulph was kidnapped, Cross Center St. and Archie Place, shortly after her death.

"It was shocking because it was so close to home," says Carlson.

"To have something like that happen devastates the innocence of the community," says Breese.

Maria's remains were found nearly six months later in Jo Daviess County.

McCullough is set to be back in court Wednesday. The Sycamore Police Department is currently awaiting his extradition from Washington State.

An old train ticket with the date of Maria's death helped lead to McCullough's arrest; his alibi was that he traveled to Chicago that day, however a former girlfriend claimed she saw the ticket unused.

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