A Bonanza For Pine County Historical Society

Ray Johnson has lived in or near Buffalo, Minnesota since 1960, but remains a very proud son of Pine County. He grew up on a farm near Pine City and graduated Pine City High School in 1950.

After a stint in the Army, Johnson returned home and an interest in aviation was sparked by flights with his brother who had purchased an airplane. In a series of fortunate events, Johnson also learned to fly, bought the first of many aircraft he has owned, met his future wife, and began a long career as a corporate pilot.

Fast forward a few decades; a sister who still lives in Pine County told Johnson about the Pine County Historical Society (PCHS).

Located in Askov, a community with a strong Danish heritage, the Society has its home in the old HC Andersen School, named after the famous Danish author Hans Christian Andersen.

A few weeks after learning about PCHS, Johnson got his first tour of the facility, guided by the current Historical Society President Larry Helwig.

Museums may be the records of a community, of a culture, or of a time past. They can also be something that lays a foundation for the future. PCHS has lots of antiques, agricultural and farming artifacts, and general historical community displays. The Pine County Railroad Club has an extensive model railroad layout set up in the museum. A full-size railroad caboose was recently added to the outdoor display area and is now awaiting restoration.

But, as Johnson noted to Helwig, there wasn't anything in the building about aviation! Always an aviation promotor, Johnson asked if Helwig could use an airplane for an aviation display.

Museums are not known for turning away potentially interesting donations, and the offer piqued the interest of Helwig and the Society.

Finding an airplane suitable for display became a challenge. A Taylorcraft or Cub or Champ, though representative of aircraft that may have been operated out of early farm landing strips, is very large in comparison to the available indoor display space. Also, the fabric covering of these typical light aircraft make them not well suited for outdoor displays.

Then, a 1954 Beechcraft Bonanza became available. Though its aluminum fuselage and wings had suffered hail damage, it was still an attractive airplane.

The engine, prop and other useable components had been salvaged, and the remainder of the craft was just sitting at a tiedown. Johnson acquired it at a very reasonable price.

While researching the records of the Bonanza, Johnson found that it was first owned and operated by Jeppesen, the well-known supplier of aviation navigation charts.

Johnson can be very persuasive when needed, and so a runout engine case and crankshaft were donated to the display by Bolduc Aviation (Horizon Aircraft Engine Services), and a no-longer-serviceable prop was donated by Maxwell Aircraft Services.

At the Buffalo Airport, Johnson holds court as chairperson of the "morning coffee crew" and he convinced several locals to help remove the wings, clean and polish the aircraft, haul everything to Askov, and reassemble it on a prepared site alongside the museum. Helwig said the staff at the museum couldn't believe how well organized they were, and how quickly the Bonanza went back together!

With his contribution to PCHS, Johnson has honored his (and his family's) past, and perhaps has planted a seed for the future livelihood of another resident of Pine County.

Through this story, and articles that have already appeared in local newspapers, Johnson and PCHS are hoping that current or past residents of Pine County will "dig through their attic, and look in the old barn," or search their family records for items of aviation interest that might be added to the museum's display.

For more info about PCHS, see: https://pinecountyhistoricalsociety.org. And watch for information to be coming soon from PCHS about other unique additions!!