Beckwith Havens (pictured at right) of the Curtiss Flyers was one of the daring pilots which attended
competitions throughout the country. Havens flew the first airmail (postcard pictured below) from Savannah, GA during
the 1911 American Grand Prize and Vanderbilt Cup races. The airplane - Curtiss Golden Flyer was invented by Glen Curtiss,
the Father of Naval Aviation.
Flying was equally a sport of danger and excitement to American race fans over 100 years ago. People
poured into present day Daffin Park by the thousands to watch the skies as airplanes swooped overhead, entertaining and
inspiring the crowds. During the 1911 American Grand Prize and Vanderbilt Cup race, the Curtis Flyers - a group
of three brave men named Havens, Walsh and Robinson competed for the coveted MobilOil Trophy for Altitude.
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It wasn't all about steamships, trains and automobiles. Race fans enjoyed a variety of sports during the Great
Races in Savannah. Spectators looked to the skies over Daffin Park and saw The Curtiss Flyers holding a competition
of their own. The Mobil Oil Trophy for Altitude was the prize. The airplanes and stunt pilots flew around
what is now Grayson Stadium, where they set up a runway, and camped out, like all the other racers in town. Their events
brought one of the earliest contests of aerospace to Savannah - a tradition that has been continued up until this day, with
the leader in aerospace: Gulfstream being headquartered in Savannah.
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