Capture a bird's-eye view of history with this vibrant, original linen postcard depicting the legendary Stratobowl nestled deep in the Black Hills near Rapid City, South Dakota. This stunning aerial shot captures the fully operational camp during the groundbreaking mid-1930s Explorer stratosphere balloon expeditions, a joint marvel of the National Geographic Society and the U.S. Army Air Corps. Perfect for history buffs, aviation enthusiasts, or regional collectors, this card beautifully preserves a monumental moment in America’s race to the edge of space.
Era: Linen 1930s (Features the 1934–1935 camp setup)
City: Rapid City (Black Hills Region)
State: South Dakota
Country: United States of America
Topics: Aviation History, Stratosphere Expeditions, Military Camps, Black Hills National Forest, Valleys, Canyons, Aerospace
Artist, Photographer: National Geographic
Condition: Uncirculated
Address Side: Divided Back
Orientation: Horizontal (Landscape)
Publisher: Johnston and Bordewyk
Printer: E. C. Kropp Co.
Print Type: Lithograph, Linen
This rare view captures the fully operational "Stratocamp" constructed inside a 400-foot-deep limestone box canyon. The base camp structures, military rows of canvas tents, and distinctive circular launch pad ring were custom-built to shelter and launch the massive Explorer I and Explorer II high-altitude balloons.
