Onita Thorley Topping Personal Papers
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of one box 15”x 2.5”x 10” and contains newspaper clippings, pilot’s license, certificate of graduation, and photographs dating from 1931-1939.
Dates
- 1931 - 1939
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Conditions Governing Use
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
Biographical / Historical
Onita Thorley Topping, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Robert A. Thorley of Cedar City, UT, was a popular and noted pilot of the 1930s. She learned to fly at the Von Hoffman School of Aviation at Lambert Field in St. Louis, MO. Onita earned her pilot’s license in 1930, her commercial rating in 1931, and subsequently secured a rating as Master Mechanic.
In addition to being one of Utah’s only female pilots of the era, Onita participated in one of the most important air events of the west coast; the 1935 Women’s Championship Air Races and Pacific Air Pageant for the Shell Trophy. The derby, only available for members of the elite 99s Club, consisted of an over-124 mile course from Glendale to San Diego. The winners were judged for their ability to gauge speed and altitude on the course, which stretched from Glendale to Santa Ana, San Juan Capistrano to Oceanside, and finally ending at Lindbergh Field in San Diego.
After spending several years in the private aviation industry via the Los Angeles Municipal Airport, Onita Thorley married the oilman Roger Keyes in 1939 and appeared to retire from the aviation industry.
Extent
0.21 Cubic Feet (one box 15”x 2.5”x 10” )
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Onita Thorley Topping, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Robert A. Thorley of Cedar City, UT, was a popular and noted pilot of the 1930s. She learned to fly at the Von Hoffman School of Aviation at Lambert Field in St. Louis, MO. Onita earned her pilot’s license in 1930, her commercial rating in 1931, and subsequently secured a rating as Master Mechanic.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
- Title
- The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Onita Topping Thorley Personal Papers
- Author
- Alan Renga
- Date
- 11/14/2014
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives Repository
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego 92101 USA US
(619) 234-8291
(619) 233-4525 (Fax)