Scope and Content Note
The papers of William H. Conkling (1858-1939) span the years 1864-1976, with the bulk of the papers dated 1927-1939. Conkling, longtime postal official in Springfield, Illinois, was an early airmail enthusiast who established his city as a stop on one of the first cross-country contract airmail routes. The route was flown by Charles A. Lindbergh until 1927, when he quit to prepare for his historic New York-to-Paris flight. During this flight, Lindbergh carried aboard his aircraft, the Spirit of St. Louis, a philatelic cover which he mailed to Conkling from Paris. In addition to this cover, Conkling’s papers contain correspondence with Lindbergh; publications, speeches, and writings concerning Lindbergh’s Paris flight and airmail service to Springfield; and photographs of Lindbergh loading his plane with mail at Springfield’s aerodrome and as its special guest of honor.