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The Irrepressible Pancho Barnes

The Irrepressible Pancho Barnes

Update: 2025-05-221
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Pancho Barnes was larger than life. Born at the turn of the century, she spent the next 75 years defying every societal norm she found stuffy, boring or just plain stupid. She rode horses and then flew planes in the movies. She raced airplanes and briefly held the women's airspeed record. She owned a notorious inn/restaurant/club/hotel/airport in the desert near what would become Edwards Air Force Base. The Happy Bottom Riding Club was populated by Pancho, her personality and famous people from Roy Rogers to Chuck Yeager. We're exploring all the excitement that was the life of Pancho Barnes.

Thanks to our guest in this episode:

  • Lauren Kessler- Author, The Happy Bottom Riding Club: The Life and Times of Pancho Barnes

Find the transcript at here. 

AirSpace is created by the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum with generous support from Lockheed Martin.


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The Irrepressible Pancho Barnes

The Irrepressible Pancho Barnes

National Air and Space Museum