This is a photograph taken during the launching of a hot air balloon, Howell, Michigan, during the 1915 4th of July celebration.
View 4th of July Balloon Launch 1915.
(in library use only)The view is looking west from West Grand River Avenue; Grand River is unpaved. The intersection of Walnut Street and Grand River is in view, and it includes the Hardware on the southwest corner, then further west is the Methodist Church building that was moved to that block, the spectators, the balloon, and in the distance the First Presbyterian Church.
On the north side of Grand River Avenue, the building with the sloped roof was identified by Duane Zemper as a photographer's studio, either Roy Lyndon or Harland Ludwig.
The newspaper printed a summary of the event, including the detail that the balloon came down on the jail, and was so damaged that it could not be repaired for the scheduled 5pm ascension.
The names of the persons in the photograph are unknown.
