October 28, 1939. It was on that date, 75 years ago on Tuesday, that Admiral Richard Byrd's Snow Cruiser crashed just east of Gomer, on Lincoln Highway.
Measuring 55' 9'' long, 19' 11' wide, and 12 feet tall, the 75,000 thousand pound snow cruiser traveled from Chicago, IL. (where it was made) to Boston, MA. (where it was to be transported from). Admiral Byrd's Snow Cruiser was to be used in Antarctica for a polar exploratory mission. However, before the 1,020 mile journey could be completed, the cruiser wrecked just outside of Gomer, Ohio on Lincoln Highway.
On Tuesday (October 28, 2014), at one o'clock, the same time the crash occurred 75 years earlier, residents gathered to remember the historic event. Those in attendance talked about seeing the cruiser drive by, and hearing just five minutes later, "it went in the ditch, it went in the ditch!" Pictures were put on display as those in attendance told stories, and reminisced about the event that put Gomer in the national spotlight.
To commemorate the crash of Byrd's Snow Cruiser, into Pike Run, a historical marker was unveiled at the site.
