Finding aid for the Elmer Van Sickle Papers


Title:
Elmer Van Sickle Papers
Repository:
Western Reserve Historical Society
Phone: 216-721-5722
http://www.wrhs.org
Creator:
Van Sickle, Elmer
Dates:
1931-1945
Quantity:
0.21 linear feet (1 container and 1 oversize folder)
Abstract:
Elmer Van Sickle was a professional pilot and businessman. He became a professional pilot in 1929, flying amphibian aircraft from Cleveland, Ohio, to Detroit, Michigan, for Thompson Aeronautical Corporation. He later flew the Cleveland to Nashville, Tennessee run for American Airlines. Van Sickle began a small machine shop, called Cleveland Aircraft Products Company (CAPCO), in his home in Rocky River, Ohio. By 1945, office headquarters had moved to Ontario Street in downtown Cleveland. The company produced wheel and brake mechanisms for aircraft. Van Sickle married Edith Newman of Cleveland in 1931. The collection consists of newspaper clippings, Cleveland Aircraft Products Company newsletters, mechanical drawings, memorabilia, and Van Sickle's 1931 wedding announcement.
Identification:
MS 4597
Location:
closed stacks
Language:
The records are in English

Biography of Elmer Van Sickle

Elmer Van Sickle, professional pilot and businessman, was the son of William Van Sickle of Portland, Michigan. Van Sickle learned to fly in Lansing, Michigan, in 1927 and became a professional pilot in 1929, flying amphibian planes from Cleveland, Ohio, to Detroit, Michigan, for the Thompson Aeronautical Corporation. He later flew the Cleveland-to-Nashville run for American Airlines. While still an active pilot, Van Sickle began a small machine shop in his basement to provide for an early retirement. The machine shop, named Cleveland Aircraft Products Company (CAPCO), prospered and by 1945 had moved office headquarters from Van Sickle's home in Rocky River to 1270 Ontario Street, Cleveland. The company produced wheel and brake mechanisms for aircraft. Van Sickle, a member of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, proposed to the city in 1944 that an elevated lakefront airport for airline use be built between East 9th and East 40th streets. Van Sickle married Edith Newman of Cleveland in 1931. They had three children and resided at 21520 Kenwood Avenue in Rocky River. Van Sickle was a member of the Quiet Birdmen, the Masons, and the Cleveland Engineering Society.

Scope and Content

The Elmer Van Sickle Papers, 1931-1945, consist of newspaper clippings, Cleveland Aircraft Products Company newsletters, mechanical drawings, memorabilia, and Van Sickle's 1931 wedding announcement.

This collection may be of use to researchers interested in the developmental years of the aviation industry and Cleveland entrepreneurs who entered it during this time.

Statement of Arrangement

The collection is arranged by document type.

Restrictions on Access

None.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Air pilots -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
Aircraft industry -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
Aircraft supplies industry -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
Cleveland Aircraft Products Company.
Van Sickle, Elmer.

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4597 Elmer Van Sickle Papers, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Mrs. Elmer Van Sickle, 1984.

Processing Information

Processed by Rebecca M. Johnson in 1992.


Detailed Description of The Collection



Elmer Van Sickle Papers, 1931-1945; undated

Box 1 / Folder 1
Cleveland Aircraft Products Company, newsletters, 1943




Box 1 / Folder 1
Cleveland Aircraft Products Company, "Oldtimers" Party pamphlet, 1943




Box 1 / Folder 1
Cleveland Aircraft Products Company, General Airmotive Corporation, product list, 1940




Box 1 / Folder 2
Miscellaneous, including newspaper clippings relating to Van Sickle's flying career, 1933-1945; wedding announcement of Van Sickle and Edith Newman, 1931; European tour pamphlet, 1932; and get-well card, undated, 1931-1945




Folder 3
Oversize Folder 1: Cleveland Aircraft Products Company, mechanical drawings and drafts, 1939-1941