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The Montgolfier Brothers piloted a manned flight in the fall of 1783. Ballooning soon became a cutting edge science and sport, as it remained until the advent of the aeroplane in the early 20th century.
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It is believed that the tragic events of July 4, 1862, took place at a gathering held in the Bloomfield Cemetery, just outside Sparta. No sources actually state precisely where the celebration was being held, but the cemetery has long been a popular event venue for the area.
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The reckless aeronaut Freeman H. Westbrook is buried in the same cemetery where he met his untimely end in front of a crowd of 3,000 people.
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In the summer of 1783, Joseph and Jacques Montgolfier demonstrated the flight possibilities of the hot air balloon in France. Their first flight sent up a sheep named Montauciel (“Climb-to-the-sky”).
GALLERY: Sparta air disaster
