Enjoyment of the whispering winds, the zephyrs,
the airstreams of the Sierra Nevada and Great Basin areas of the
United States in a recreational vehicle.
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Wallace (Wally) M. Byam
From
notes and other information provided by Dale (Pee Wee) Schwamborn
“He could
throw out challenges faster than they could be picked up. He kept
all of those associated with him working beyond their known
capacity and accomplishing what they knew full well to be
impossible. He had an uncanny way of giving confidence; when he
said you could do it you didn't question him. you did it. He was
an embodiment of the pioneer spirit which gave America its tough
fiber” - Part of the memorial written by Helen Byam
Schwamborn National Director, Wally Byam Caravan Club
Wally
Byam was born in 1896 and Helen Byam Schwamborn, Wally's first
cousin was born in 1904 in Baker OR. Their fathers were brothers.
Bert and Ray Byam. As children and young adults Wally and Helen
had little contact. Little did either know that Wally would
become Mr. Airstream and Helen would become Mrs. Wally Byam
Caravan Club.
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A story
Wally Byam's favorite city was Paris. His business
provided him the opportunity to leave for a week or two whenever to
go to Paris. In 1956, on the Caravan to Europe, Wally had a Solex
motor bike. He kept it on the back of his trailer. One early morning
in Paris, 3:30 A.M. or there about, Wally knocked on my Mother's
trailer and asked her to dress. She did. She road side saddle behind
Wally. They went from the campsite to Montmartre. Wally had a
favorite little restaurant that cooked the best onion soup in the
city. My Mother and Wally enjoyed the soup. It was my understanding
that the soup was as good as gets and better than any onion soup my
Mother had later on.
I believe that Wally
made this list (a PDF file) out for my Mother and me at the end
of the African Caravan. When the two Caravans met, my Mother and I
went on to Holland to ship home. One of our stops was a week in
Paris. As I have mentioned this was one of Wally' "most"
favorite cities. Onion soup, Blue Beret, cuisine and on. You will
note Wally has the onion soup listed under the food section. The
paper, the typing and the writing are Wally's.
Photos, documents and other tidbits
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Wally Byam through the ages – photo created
by Pee Wee in celebration of Wally's 115th birthday July 2011
“A remembrance of the man, Wallace Merle
Byam, that brought us all together.”
click on image for larger view
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This is photo booth picture
of Wally with his paternal father Bert Byam. I will venture a
guess that Wally's Dad is in his late 50's to early 60's. If this
is even close to being correct, Wally is in his late 20's or very
early 30's.
This is a rare photo. I don't believe I have
any other pictures of them together.
Click on image on left for larger view
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Insightful comments
made by Wally at age 21
Click on image on left for larger view
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Photo gallery – Wally
Byam -|- Airstream adventures -|-
Wally and Stella Byam
Read
Neil Vanderbilt's 1952 Newsletter – it describes his latest
trailer and the Presidential Convention in Chicago amongst other
interesting tidbits. (pdf document)
Wally on right, Neil on left
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Wally
Byam's Birthday
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Wally's
Memorabilia – bullhorns, pith helmets & other items
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Wally's Isetta
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Wally's
yacht – Caravan
Click on image on left for larger view
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Wally's formal
education
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Miscellaneous
Documents -|- Wally's
business cards
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The
Biswell Family - The Biswell's played a very important part of
Wally's life
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Click on picture for larger image
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PDF File about
Claire Windsor - I just don't know the story behind this
picture. I guess Wally is between 25 and 29 when he posed for the
picture. That is 1921 to 1925. You can see by Claire's
filmography that she first appeared in the movies in 1920. Wally
is really dapper in this picture, yes sir'ee. I don't know who
the other gent is. I think in the string of pictures I have this
is a real lulu. And it meant a lot to Wally to keep all of the
years since it photographed and signed.
The other thought
I had about it is this wasn't a true signed "star type"
picture given out at press conferences. This is true one on one
picture. Interesting! I believe in Wanderlust, Airstream at
75...or some other writing that Wally after his graduation wanted
to go to Hollywood to do something in the movies. The something,
I don't know, but this picture maybe an early part of his
"Hollywood Dream." Who knows?
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The documents provided and the pictures in these photo
galleries have been used with permission of Dale Schwamborn. They are
intended for personal viewing and enjoyment only and are not to be
used in part or in full on other websites, for commercial purpose, or
for any other use. For information on this material you can contact
Dale at peewee@sierranevadaairstreams.org
Pee Wee
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