Finale is Dec 3rd @ Hoosier Theatre!!!

Bromwell's Pilot License - National Air and Space Museum Bromwell's Pilot License - National Air and Space Museum Laura Bromwell was born May 17, 1897 to Leonard and Louisa "Lulu" Bromwell of Florence, Indiana. She was one of eleven children. Running away and seeking thrills as a teen, she found purpose on stage and in racing automobiles.

Moving to Cincinnati while still in her teens, she took up work as a cashier at a restaurant. Taking up a conversation with a patron of the restaurant, she discussed the accomplishment of jumping 50 feet into an Indiana quarry. That discussion led to the customer betting her to jump 110 feet off Roebling Suspension Bridge in Cincinnati. She took him up on the $20 bet in 1916 at the age of 19.

That stunt led to quite a bit of attention including; articles in the Cincinnati Post, spots in the entertainment newspaper Variety and a number of secret admirers. That attention apparently wasn't for her just yet, as she quietly retreated from the spotlight for 2 years. She was next seen selling war bonds in Virginia. So successful was she at doing so, she earned the chance to ride in a government airplane. That was 1918. Within a year of that first flight, she had acquired her pilot's license, only the 9th (some say 10th) American woman to do so.

Aviation was still in its infancy with WWI seeing only a few practical uses 5 years prior. Notable aviators Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh and Howard Hughes, would not even take their first flying lessons for another 2 years. Our own Florence, Indiana native, Laura Bromwell, was beginning a journey only a small percentage on earth had yet done.

Laura Bromwell as a New York City Aviation Police Officer Laura Bromwell as a New York City Aviation Police Officer Her flying career went quick, enlisting in the NYC Police Aviation Service, becoming the first and only female police pilot in the world at the time. She made it to the rank of Captain and received the moniker of "the Lovely Comrade" from her subordinates.

In her off time, she continued in the plane and began working on her loop-the-loop skills and other aerobatics. She quickly surpassed the previous world loop record of 25 loops set in France, with her remarkable 100 over Long Island, New York. She also for a time held the aviation speed record of 135 miles per hour in a 2 mile course. On May 15, 1921 Bromwell broke her own loop record by completing 199 loops.

In less than a month, on June 5th, 1921 in Mineola, NY, tragedy struck down our young heroine of the sky. She was scheduled to perform another record-breaking loop-the-loop, this time with 210 loops. She acknowledged the crowd, kissed her fiance, and ascended into destiny. She was able to perform one loop, something went wrong and her plane dove 1000 feet in front 5000 spectators. Laura Bromwell was gone.

It was speculated that her demise was due to the use of an unfamiliar plane. She hadn't properly adjusted the seat or belts prior to take-off, which caused her to drift away from her controls in her first loop. She couldn't recover properly.

Laura Bromwell, Aviator and Stunt Performer Laura Bromwell, Aviator and Stunt Performer A life of thrills led this Switzerland County native to heights most of us will never see. She made the best out of her short time on earth to bring joy and exhilaration not only to herself, but to those around her. So revered by her fans, the aviation community and her law enforcement collegues, she was mourned by 50000 in procession in New York City. Her body was brought by train to Cincinnati, and then taken for final resting at Florence Cemetery.

"I want to be noticed not for what I wear but for what I do. Dangerous? Sure. But if it wasn't dangerous everybody would be doing it. I wish more women would take to flying. There's nothing like the fresh air for one's brains. Then we could have women's contests. And have all the men look up to us."

Laura Bromwell speaking with New York reporter in 1921

Check out this breakdown by Cincy Lifestyle

What? No love for Florence, Indiana?


Would Amelia be, if we didn't have she?

The Clue

"Would Amelia be", clearly a reference to world famous Amelia Earhart. A picture of Laura Bromwell was used as the background to Clue #6.

The Location

The location of the key, was at the entrance signage to the Florence Cemetery. I felt quite uncomfortable placing any key on a headstone, and thought maintenance crews would not appreciate a metal projectile shooting from their mowers. The entrance was a good spot.