La Verne Historical Society: Florence "Pancho" Lowe Barnes

Florence “Pancho” Lowe Barnes was a California heiress & celebrated pioneer aviatrix who founded the first movie stunt pilots’ union & was Lockheed Aircraft’s first female test pilot. She was also the founder of the notorious “Happy Bottom Riding Club”, now on the site of Edward’s Air Force Base.
Pancho outflew Amelia Earhart, outsmarted Howard Hughes, outdrank the Mexican army, and outmaneuvered the U.S. government. Her favorite quote was “When you have a choice, choose happy.”

Our presenter is Ms. Leslie Ziff, President and Educational Chair of the Sierra Madre Historical Preservation Society and a recent recipient of Sierra Madre’s Volunteer Citizen of the Year. Leslie is responsible for organizing the Sierra Madre Pioneer Cemetery Tour, a bus tours of historic homes in Sierra Madre, a walking tours of Sierra Madre Businesses from 1882-Present, the Teen Docent Tours of Sierra Madre, and docent tours of the Richardson House Museum and Lizzie’s Trail Inn. Leslie says, “I am a lover of music, drama, art and history and family!” Whenever possible I try to combine those “elements of me” into my daily life.

When: Monday, June 10th, 2024, 7pm
Where: Hillcrest Meeting House
2705 Mountain View Dr.
La Verne, CA 91750

Two hardcover copies of “The Happy
Bottom Riding Club: The Life and Times
Of Pancho Barnes”, will be raffled off
the night of the event. Raffle tickets are
$2 each (or 3 for $5) at the door.

This event is free & sponsored by the La Verne Historical Society. All proceeds go to restore the 1938 International truck