History Detectives

Season 8, Episode 5

Cromwell Dixon: A four-inch square of fabric tells the story of one of America's first barnstorming pilots. Bartlett Sketchbook: Does this sketchbook illustrate scenes from the first ever US-Mexican border survey? Duke Ellington Plates (R): Could this dumpster find be the printing plates for Duke Ellington's hit "Take the A Train"?

Bartlett's Sketchbook

17m 40s

Our contributor thinks this leather bound sketchbook might outline significant US history. It includes drawings of what look like Southwest landscapes and references to a J.R. Bartlett. Could that be the John Russell Bartlett who the US Government hired as an early surveyor of the Southwest? Eduardo Pagan follows the journey to its colorful conclusion.

Previews + Extras

  • Cromwell Dixon Plane Fragment: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Cromwell Dixon Plane Fragment

    S8 E5 - 15m 51s

    Our contributor has a four by three inch swatch of fabric she found among her late grandfather's possessions. On it are written the words "Dixon" and "Grand Island, 1911." She wonders if the name refers to the pioneering aviator, Cromwell Dixon. Could this piece of fabric be the last remaining artifact of Cromwell Dixon's brief aviation career? Elyse Luray finds out.

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