René Gasnier Travel Journal

René Gasnier was a French aviator who competed in the Gordon-Bennett Cup (for ballooning) in 1907.  This manuscript records his journey from France across the Atlantic to New York and then St. Louis, where the competition began.  After 38 hours in flight, he landed in Virginia and took 7th place.  Gasnier then began a sightseeing tour, visiting Albany and Schenectady, Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Boston, Quebec, Montreal, Philadelphia and Washington.  

He describes in detail the places he visits, specifically commenting on emerging industries (including hydroelectric power plants in Niagara Falls) and the differences between Canada and the United States, as well as the United States and Europe.  

RG 931   René Gasnier Travel Journal, 1907

René Gasnier Travel Journal, 1907

This page from René Gasnier's travel journal describes his visit to Niagara Falls.