On a recent morning at Blackbird Café in Valparaiso—my go-to place for good coffee and even better conversations over the last 16 years—I was sitting with Bob Urschel, chatting about hobbies, local history, and our families’ shared interest in aviation. As the stories unfolded—Bob’s son Rick’s surprise flight experience that led to his own pursuit, his parents reluctance to have their kids flying, tales of his own experiences, and the legacy passed down through their family beginning with their grandfather—I knew there were lessons to be learned and history to pass down.
I mentioned how I wished someone had written all this down. I have learned so much about flying, particularly locally, because my father-in-law, Dr. Thomas Cavanaugh, became a pilot early in his life. His wife and a number of the kids learned to fly because of him. He and his two boys still fly, and Tom taught my son Trevor, who soloed for the first time at 17. The history that comes with that learning is almost as interesting as the flying part to me. Many don’t know what really goes on at our airport or how deep aviation roots run here in Porter County.
Bob just smiled and said, “Well, actually...my sister did.”
That’s how I discovered “Early Aviation in Porter County, Indiana” by Cinda Urschel—a heartfelt, methodically researched collection that captures exactly the kind of stories we were sharing that day.
A Chronicle of People, Planes, and Purpose
One of the book’s most powerful strengths is that it’s not just a single story: it’s a collection of 67 mini-histories, each focused on a different person who helped shape early aviation in Porter County. It’s the kind of book you can read cover to cover or jump around in, finding stories that speak to you. From barnstormers to teachers, from pioneers to quiet contributors, every chapter adds another propeller to the story of local flight.
Family Legacy and Community Impact
Cinda brings particular depth and authenticity to the book through the legacy of her own family. Her grandfather, William Emmett Urschel, not only began the Gooseberry Snipper Factory in Valparaiso (now Urschel Laboratories, Inc., a global leader in precision cutting equipment) but also founded Urschel Field in Valparaiso to promote aviation and connect the Region to the power of flight. That story alone is worth the read, but it’s one of many powerful accounts.
A Broader Lens on Flight
This is not just local lore; its perspective is national and international. I especially appreciated how Cinda shines a light on:
- Pioneering women in aviation who pushed boundaries and broke ceilings.
- The impact of the wars on accelerating aviation development.
- How Porter County residents played significant roles on a much larger aviation stage.
And All for a Cause
When I talked to Cinda, interviewing her about this book and the path her life took that led to her capturing this history, her enthusiasm rose even higher. She knows these programs are essential to carrying on the legacy of the pioneers in aviation that came before us, and she has created and contributed to a trust that will be added to with all proceeds from the book to support three impactful local aviation programs:
- The Aviation STEM Program at Valparaiso High School
- The Young Eagles program at the Porter County Regional Airport
- The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Porter County
Buying this book doesn’t just preserve history; it fuels the future of aviation in Northwest Indiana.
Closing Thoughts
In conclusion, thank you, Blackbird Café, for being the place where conversations like this happen. Whether you call it serendipity, the blessing of in-person connection, or just positive luck, I’m grateful that a simple coffee led to discovering this gem of a book.
Thank you, Cinda Urschel, for putting into words the stories I was asking my Blackbird buddy about. You’ve honored your family, your community, and the field of aviation itself. Anyone who enjoys local history, aviation, or stories of quiet pioneers will walk away better for having read this.
Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up
Heartfelt, enlightening, and purpose-driven, “Early Aviation in Porter County, Indiana” is both a gift to the past and an investment in the future. It’s a must-read for anyone who wonders what—and who—it took to get our Region off the ground.
Read "Early Aviation in Porter County, Indiana" by Cinda Urschel (available on Amazon) to discover more about Porter County's aviation history.