Pancho Barnes

Florence Lowe Barnes, born Florence Leontine Lowe but known as Pancho Barnes for most of her life, 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

Born into 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. Another inspiration was her grandfather, Thaddeus Lowe, who had pioneered American aviation with the establishment of the first balloon corps for the Union Army of the Potomac in 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.

Related Topics:
San Marino, California - Thaddeus Lowe - Union - Army of the Potomac - American Civil War - Tomboy - 1919 - South Pasadena

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