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About the Images of Wisconsin

The late Carl Guell, former Chief of Wisconsin's Bureau of Aviation Education and Safety, took over one thousand 35 mm slide photographs of the state's landscapes from the air during flights made from 1951 to 1979. It had been his wish that the photographs, which contain a wealth of geographical and historical information, be made available for educational and research use. In 1995, I described and cataloged the slides which were subsequently scanned.

Dr. Mark Fonstad, an Assistant Professor at Texas State University, designed this web site which began in 1997 with twenty photographs. It has subsequently been expanded to include almost one-hundred images. Mark also assisted in the interpretation of landscape features. He is a faculty member in the Department of Geography with special interests in river processes, theoretical geomorphology, hydrology, remote sensing, and the American West. Mark can be contacted at mfonstad@txstate.edu.

If a picture can say a thousand words, then a few words cannot adequately describe a picture, Descriptions include primary landscape features shown on an image, but much detail necessarily remains unidentified. Landscapes of urban areas in particular tend to be underdescribed because of the profusion of structures. Also, many buildings and highways have undergone change during the half-century since the earliest shots were taken, and modern-day maps and printed sources have not always revealed the nature of the original features. Some deterioration of the slides has occurred, and attempts at electronically restoring color and contrast have not always been wholly successful.

I assume full responsibility for the accuracy of descriptions. Copying and distribution of the images and descriptions for personal and educational use are permitted. I would appreciate comments, constructive criticisms, and reports of image use. Please e-mail me at tfonstad (at) earthlink (dot) net.

Dr. Todd Fonstad
Associate Professor Emeritus
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
 

A TRIBUTE TO CARL GUELL:
 
 

        Carl Guell, DOT - Aeronautics employee from 1946 to 1985.  Carl was instrumental in the development of the first Wisconsin Aeronautical Chart.  Designed to simplify navigational planning, the Wisconsin DOT has published an aeronautical chart annually since 1967.  Carl served as a pilot to state legislators and governors, flying them in a Cessna 170 from 1949 to 1957.  Pictured behind Carl is a beautifully restored Cessna 170.  Since retiring in 1985, Carl has remained active in aviation - conducting research for a book on Wisconsin's aviation history and serving as secretary for the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame.  We acknowledge Carl's foresight in the development of the forerunners to this chart. (From the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Bureau of Aeronautics 1993 Aeronautical Chart).