1909
Thank you for visiting Sedona Legend-
The Jack and Helen Frye Story!
Copyright © 2003
Sedona Legend Helen Frye Website
Created By R. D. Reynolds
All Rights Reserved
Sedona's Celebrity Love Story!
This is the official not to mention only web portal in the world
dedicated exclusively to the legacy of Jack and Helen Frye!
The Frye Legacy-
a Lifetime of Accomplishment!
By Randall Reynolds
The Sedona Legend Web Site is a historical narrative enhanced with photos presented for
educational and entertainment purposes. Some materials may be displayed in regard to the
United States Fair Use Act. This web portal is totally non-profit and generates no income, nor
does it seek or has it ever accepted a single donation. It is an independent venture.
While this web site is not "officially" affiliated with Red Rock State Park in any way, it was
envisioned and created to give park visitors a more indepth historical perspective in regard to
the former 700 acre Frye Ranch property.
Sedona Legend is encouraged and supported by the Jack Frye Family, to include Jack's
daughter, Nevajac Frye, Jack's late sister, "Sunny" Frye Thomas, the Helen Frye family,
and the many friends of Jack and Helen Frye.
The Daring Duo
Flying Under The Wire-
Beyond the Reach of Future TWA President Jack Frye!
Sunny Frye moved out to California from
Texas when she was 12. First she lived with
her grandparents who lived in California
and Texas at that time. Shortly thereafter,
she moved in with her brother Jack. Sunny
envisioned this as a more adventurous
home life and it appears she was right! Jack
lived near an airport and an aviation
service he owned called Burdett Airport,
near Inglewood California (south L.A.). The
Fryes all lived initially in a small house
with the following residents, Jack and his
wife Debbie, her mother Alta, Jack's
brother Donald, and a family poodle. Lastly,
room was made for Jack's baby sister
Sunny. All parties were trying to secure a
foothold in this exciting state of California-
land of unlimited new opportunities.
Ople Mae Frye (spelling per Sunny) a.k.a.
"Sunny" on a visit to New York City,
possibly top of the Empire State Building.
Within a couple years, Sunny, now in high school, spent all her free time at Burdett Field.
Soon, in about 1925, she started palling around with one of Jack's closest friends. This young
pilot had his own plane (a real luxury) and would take Sunny up for flights whenever she would
appear. Sunny relates "they would have great fun diving at the ships in the harbor, roaring
through haystacks, and buzzing up and down the Los Angeles coastal regions, all at full
throttle!" At the time, these areas were all open sandy land, devoid of the current present
gridlock of Los Angeles homes and boulevards. Jack trusted this 'Paul' with his sister, perhaps
blindly so, after all, Jack taught Paul how to fly as he did so many early California aviators.
Either way, Paul and Sunny never had a mishap and Jack was never to find out the mischief
they sought. Surely, a grounding would have been in store, if the wild-duo was ever found out.
Paul lived in a big house down on Sunset Boulevard, at that time, an area sparsely built up.
Please note: the Jack Frye's lived in at least 3 separate Los Angeles locations in the 1920's-
a bungalow in Santa Monica
a small cottage near Burdett Airport
and lastly at 4233 Sutro Avenue
This last location was a brand new 2 bedroom, 1 bath bungalow, built in Leimert Park near
Inglewood. The neighborhood was part of a landmark award winning development built for
middle and upper class residents by Walter H. Leimert with Central Park associated designers.
Ople Mae Frye "Sunny"
Mystery Aviator Named "Paul"
Sunny, and her daughter Pat, say Paul and his English actor business partner, Reginald Denny
successfully operated a airplane hobby shop on Hollywood Boulevard. Both, were extremely
talented model airplane engineers. The store opened in 1935 and sold "Denny-Planes" among
other hobby items. Once quite a popular hang out, it was frequented by celebrities and Pat's
husband, along with all his high school buddies. What did Paul and Reginald do in their spare
time? They went "hedge-hopping", in their planes. Not at all surprising for Denny, who was a
Hollywood Black Cat (local Hollywood aerial stunt team) see Page 1928. It is not known if
"Paul" was a member too, but Jack Frye was one of the original 13 members, per Denny. The
team performed in many Hollywood movies. Other memories of this time period was Denny's
wife, who Sunny remembers they called, "Bubbles". One exciting weekend is recalled traveling
with Jack and his wife Debbie to stay at Paul's family farm, out past Palm Springs, perhaps at
Indio. With a piano in the living room, all guests had a weekend of camaraderie and great fun!

In my Sedona Legend work I try to verify every detail possible. This, of course, is often difficult
with a time span of 1920 to 2010. I was aware of this "Paul" as he and Jack once owned a
business together, the W-F-W Company. They flew together and also once managed to get their
names in the paper with an aerial publicity stunt over Beverly Hills. Something, Jack, an
aviation entrepreneur excelled at, in a time when publicity meant the success or failure of one's
business. However, up to this point, I was never able to find anything specific about this aviator
associate. Recently, however, Sunny at 97, remembered among other details, the last name of
this elusive aviation hero! As well, the house Paul and his family once lived in! This mansion,
she related, was eventually sold to a Saudi Sheik. Further research revealed the well-publicized
controversy of this sale and was the breakthrough I desperately sought. I found there was
indeed a notorious "Beverly Hills Sheik", called Mohammed al-Fassi. After securing the
mansion in 1978, historically described, as a "quasi-Palladian palazzo", the Sheik proceeded to
execute quite a make-over inside, and out, with little regard for provenance.

Some of the renovations included a brilliant coat of lime green paint. The stunning original
Grecian statuary on the veranda and pool side? All re-painted in flesh tones and adorned with
hair and realistic looking appendages. All this gaudy landscaping was further enhanced by filling
giant Grecian urns bordering Sunset Boulevard with brightly colored pink, blue, and orange
plastic flowers. Needless to say, this blatant lack of neighborly decorum and respect horrified
the adjoining conservative, somewhat staid, Beverly Hills neighbors. Especially, when one
considers the significance of this particular historic property. The traffic stopping display was
short lived; however, as the 38-room-mansion suffered a devastating (mysterious) fire on
January 1 1980, and in 1985, was demolished. Shortly before this; however, in 1979, the Sheik
allowed film makers to shoot part of the Steve Martin movie, “The Jerk” at the property.
Thankfully, this gives us our last documented visual of the historic mansion, as seen in the
film. Although, keep in mind, the Hearst Beverly House Mansion was in the mix of shots, as
well, so it can be confusing. The interior of the Whittier Mansion can be readily recognized with
the interior scenes of Middle Eastern décor, and of course, the basement disco that the Sheik
designed and built for his family and guests.

The real tragedy is that this stately historic mansion had been built by one of Beverly Hills’
most renowned families. The name was Whittier, as in Mericos "Max" Hector Whittier. This is
the very same illustrious entrepreneur who developed and founded Beverly Hills from about
1906, the famous Beverly Hills Hotel, in 1912, Rodeo Land and Water Company, a huge dairy,
and lastly Belridge Oil Company, in 1911. The latter company soon developed one of California's
richest oil deposits into a multi-billion dollar dynasty. It goes without saying that in the haste of
the building boom of the 1970’s, when so many historic homes were demolished to make way for
garish Mac-Mansions, that the Whittier Mansion, which should now be one of Beverly Hills’
most treasured landmarks, has been erased from the landscape forever. Such is progress? What
a tragedy!  

Sunny knew not of any of this frivolous opulence, though, just Paul's name, where he lived, and
the fun they shared together. Discovering "where" Paul lived was the break in this story I
needed. The Whittier Mansion, @ 1001 Sunset Boulevard, was built in 1915-1917, on about 3.6
acres (some sources state 4.5 acres). A once revered landmark, quite well-known in the Beverly
Hills area. Max, originally was from Caribou Maine, but around the turn of the century, he went
out to California to find his fortune, and what a fortune he discovered! Through speculation and
risk he created a dynasty for a generation of Whittiers. Unfortunately, though, Max wasn't to
reap the long term benefits of this legacy, as he died at Redlands California, in 1925. His dear
wife Joanna, preceded him in death, in 1923.

The Whittier oil interests were bought out in 1979, by Shell Oil Company. The 1910 Beverly
Hills development? Well, that is just about the most glorious legacy in the world, as shared by
Max and his two business partners, Charles Canfield and Burton Green. The Whittier children,
in the early 1920's, were tragically left without parents at early ages, fortunately though, with
ample income. These four children, were three sons, two were named Donald and Leland, with a
daughter, named Helen, (later the renowned philanthropist Helen Whittier Woodward). But
what of this Paul? Not so easy to track this elusive aviator, especially, when I found his name
was not quite what it appeared! At last, I discovered him, as "Nelson Paul Whittier", an early
California aviator who went by the name of, "N. Paul Whittier", or "Paul". Today, we know him
as a very successful and famous oil tycoon. And that folks is Sunny’s mystery aviator!

The Whittier Mansion's address in 1920, was 1001 Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California.
At that time, it was quite well-appointed, with 20,000 square feet, 58 rooms, tennis courts, and a
pool, certainly more akin to an Italian Renaissance palace, than a private home. Yet, this grand
villa, when new, was frequented by the Fryes (Jack and Sunny) and other intimate Whittier
friends. It is not remembered by Sunny as a cold sterile Bel Air-like estate, but rather a
"home", where early Los Angeles residents were welcomed and entertained warmly. Tragically,
it is remembered now only for the fact that a Sheik once owned it, albeit a very short time, and
not for the 70-some years of Whittier history. For anyone desiring to visit this historic site, the
address is rather hard to find, as the street numbers have changed throughout the years.
However, the Beverly Hills Hotel, developed in part by Max Whittier is just 10 minutes
southwest, at 9641 Sunset Boulevard. The current street address of the historic Whittier
mansion (now demolished), is 9561 Sunset Boulevard @ the (said to be northwest corner) of
Sunset Boulevard and Alpine Drive.

N. Paul Whittier was noted for his appealing personality with a passion for aviation and boating.
It was this young man that grew up in that lovely old historic mansion just two blocks east of
the Beverly Hills Hotel. A man, that in his carefree youth before the tragedy of his father's
death, flew with Jack Frye and the "Flyers of Burdett Field". His other partner in adventure
was no other than Jack Frye's "baby" sister! A time of innocence, soon snatched away as Paul
dealt with the sorrow of the death of his mother (first), and father (next), resulting in a mind-
boggling empire of wealth and responsibility which demanded instant maturity. Sunny hoped
that I would find him alive, reuniting them in a journey of remembrance. However, this was not
to be, as Paul Whittier died in 1991, at the age 87.

Jack Frye and Paul Whittier were both born in 1904, their age, perhaps, a common bond that
belies the reason Jack trusted him with the sister he adored. And let's not forget their founding
of W.F.W. Aircraft Corporation (see Page 1926). The initials represented, Theodore A. Woolsey,
Jack Frye, and Paul Whittier. Sunny, now at 97, has lived a life rich and full! Within the depths
of her weary body she has but to close her eyes, soon the shadows clear, orange groves appear,
and the vision of a 2-seater sputtering in the sunset materializes with fumes of petrol and oil,
flood her senses. Amid the overwhelming scent of Los Angeles Valley citrus groves she climbs
into the biplane behind her trusted aviator friend N. Paul Whittier. With engine roaring the
plane roars off the primitive dirt runway of Burdett Airport, in a cloud of dust, climbing up and
away, out over the bejeweled California coastline. For hours the two fly through the intoxicating
evening air, over the small town of Los Angeles, swooping, diving, never wanting to land,
immersed in the constant sound of the engine and the whistling breeze. Pilot and passenger,
free from earth's gravity, free from life on the ground, a time now sadly gone forever, the true
dawning of aviation in America!
Update- October 2007
Sadly, Sunny Frye Thomas, reigning matriarch of the Frye family has passed away. This
remarkable woman was the very last of Jack Frye's childhood family, a lady who truly knew
him his entire life. I am saddened by her death and honored to have been her friend. Sunny was
a rich wealth of information, in regard to the Frye Legacy, and a staunch advocate of my work!
Bless you Sunny, you are missed by so many!
A little more about Paul Whittier-

Paul and his wife Lucy (up until they died) lived in a 9000 square foot teak-paneled home on
beautiful San Juan Island, off the coast of Washington State. When not enjoying Puget Sound,
they traveled in their private Cessna, and lived in California. Paul was always a consummate
aviator and mariner, he maintained and restored many vessels, and owned many fine aircraft.
He and his sister Helen were both noted philanthropists, but Paul, was much more than a man
who inherited and made millions. He was a man with a hidden past, one of the earliest
associates of Burdett Airport, business partner of TWA's Jack Frye, and one of the first aerial
sheriffs in the United States.

Just a little of Paul’s early aviation experience. He graduated from Burdett School of Aviation
in the fall of 1924 and was often called by the press “the millionaire flyer”.

On September 7, 1926, Paul Whittier (at the time a member of the Beverly Hills Air Patrol) was
asked to perform a feat for a man who reached the height of god-like status on earth. The
event was Rudolph Valentino's infamous Beverly Hills funeral. In an unprecedented display of
pomp and circumstance, Paul Whittier was hired to fly low over the funeral procession and
dump a plane full of red, white, and pink rose petals on the marching mourners, as they walked
from the Beverly Hills catholic church, “The Good Shepherd” to the Hollywood Memorial Park
Cemetery. Historically, as one of Hollywood's most lavish and moving funerals, Paul's
contribution was the grand finale, never forgotten by thousands of mourners, even to this day!

In July 1929, Paul was the refueling man with pilot, Slade Hurlbert for the record breaking
endurance flight of 10-days (246 hours) of the plane “Angeleno” as it circled above Los Angeles
without landing. The aim was to break a recent record set by the Army ship “Question Mark”.
The endurance pilots of the winning ship were, Loren W. Mendell and Roland B. (Pete)
Reinhart, who at this time, (July 12, 1929), broke the world’s endurance record.

The Buhl Air Sedan was powered by a Wright Whirlwind J5 motor which never missed a beat,
albeit a couple plugs that would occasionally misfire. A real “first” in airplane engine reliability
of the then early period of flight. A miracle, the two endurance fliers stated should not be taken
lightly and aided them greatly in their success. After the flight the engine was examined by W.
E. Thomas, of Wright Aeronautical Corp., and found to be in superior condition after having
performed 24,453,000 revolutions. The used 9-cylinder 220 hp engine had 450 hours on it, pre-
flight, and the plane had 17000 hours on the airframe.

Paul Whittier in his Curtiss Carrier Pigeon and his assistant Slade (Chief Mechanic of the
Culver City Airport) refueled the main plane and supported the endurance pilots with food and
supplies for the 8 days the Angeleno were flying in Los Angeles airspace. Although, they broke
the intended record, Reinhart and Mendell had to land after the tail section developed damage
which prevented all further attempts at refueling. Both men landed safely and were toasted by a
crowd of over 5000 spectators, plus thousands more stranded in an endless traffic jam of cars
near the airport. The exhausted L.A. aviation heroes were hospitalized for observation after the
festivities and declared in good health.

The flight, which started on the morning of July 2, logged approximately 19,760 miles,
consumed 4,085 gallons of gas and 105 gallons of oil, most of which was shuttled up by Paul
Whittier in his ship. A ship, which by the way, burned up its original Liberty engine due to the
tremendous load of fuel, after which, a second engine was quickly installed.

In November 1929, Paul again stepped up to the plate to help fellow aviators. This time to assist
aviatrix Bobbie Trout and her companion pilot Eleanor Smith in their attempt to break a similar
world record. Also assisting in the pre-endurance flight was “Pete” Reinhart (from Salem
Oregon). Paul, yet again, offered his services and ship, the Curtiss Carrier Pigeon, for training
at Van Nuys California, after which, Trout and Smith did set a women's endurance record.

Jack and Paul, both, developed the famous speedy Thunderbird biplane. Jack sought a modern
passenger transport, Paul offered to back the project, and Theodore Woolsey, the noted aviation
engineer, was contracted to design the plane. More information available on Page 1926. Jack
Frye was the Chief Test Pilot for both Thunder Bird Aircraft Company and Aero Corporation of
California.

Jack Frye and Paul Whittier, with different agencies, were instrumental in the development of
the very first aerial patrol organization for the United States. It is not clear how these two
agencies were connected, but because of the dates, they were obviously intertwined.

In the first week of August 1926 Paul Whittier was sworn in as an officer of the Beverly Hills
Police Department, by Chief Charles Blair. Whittier, who’s father founded Beverly Hills, filled
a brand new position with the Police Department, in a new division, which was titled the Beverly
Hills Police Aerial (Air) Patrol. The agency was set up to patrol the skies over Beverly Hills,
which Whittier dutifully policed daily, with an official police “chase” plane, with “Beverly Hills
Aerial Patrol” emblazoned on the side of the fuselage, and 2 huge police shields on the bottom
side (tip) of each wing. For several weeks, Whittier patroled the skies and hills over Beverly
Hills, aiding in the recovery of stolen cars, thwarting crime, and acting as a fire spotter. So for
history sake it can be stated that Nelson Paul Whittier was indeed the first official aerial patrol
officer, of the State of California, and it is thought, for the entire United States.

As a public demonstration of this new service and a promo of sorts for the equipment used in
the patrol, on Saturday, August 14, 1926, Jack Frye raced low over Beverly Hills at a ear
pounding elevation of 600 feet and performed aerial stunts well below the legal ceiling of 1000
feet. At that time, it is accurate to say that cities like Beverly Hills enacted the elevation limit
to protect citizens from the many Los Angeles aviators who were terrorizing people on the
ground in their new fangled aero contraptions. As Jack Frye zoomed in low over Beverly Hills,
Whittier, who just happened to be nearby, in the air, swooped after him with red light blazing
and siren howling, using his plane to force the violator down. The result was an air “pull-over”
of the lawbreaking and discourteous Frye, making him to land at a very public and visible
location, where there just happened to be a crowd of observers (mostly celebrities and movie
people). This performance was all staged for public education, and the press, of course, and as
well, to promote the efficiency of this new police service, which utilized the new Thunderbird
speedster racer which just happened to have been built by Whittier and Frye, at the
Thunderbird Co. they owned, and interestingly, just happened to be based, serviced, and
hangared at Frye’s Aero Corporation Field. Previous to this day Frye had conducted the first
public demonstration of the Thunderbird, on July 11, 1926, for a crowd of 100’s at Aero
Corporation, near Inglewood.

Frye was quickly arrested by Whittier for breaking the law and hauled off to the Beverly Hills
jail where he was held until he posted bail. So, here we have the first “sky officer” and the very
first arrest of (Jack Frye) on August 14, 1926, at Beverly Hills California. Frye posted $100.00
bail and was ordered to appear on Monday morning August 16, 1926. On Monday, Beverly Hills
Judge Strelinger presided over this landmark case, the first ever to appear before a judge in a
California court (of a man arrested for an air violation). The outcome, is not known, but likely
all charges were dropped because of this being a “first” offence and a publicity promo event.

Shortly thereafter, Jack Frye spearheaded the organization of the first Aerial Sheriff’s
Squadron of Los Angeles (September 27 1926) which he sponsored, as based and launched at his
Aero Corporation of California field (104th and Western), at Los Angeles. The aero patrol was
organized with Los Angeles Sheriff, William I. Traeger, who enlisted the services of five Aero
Corporation (Burdett Airport) aviators as officers. These fliers included, William John (Jack)
Frye, Richmond A. Edwards, Lee Wiley, Paul E. Richter, Jr., and Walter A. Hamilton. All men
were sworn in as aerial sheriffs and were required to respond, “on call”, to the Los Angeles
Sheriff’s Department at any time, day or night, to assist in emergencies and aiding law
enforcement, recovering stolen cars, missing persons, and the capture of bandits, etc. The
aviators were thoroughly trained as police officers, and all passed tests, in regard to criminal
codes and procedures. The planes were equipped with powerful spotlights, for night use.

Yes, this was the very beginning and foundation of the our current State Highway Patrol and
County Sheriff aerial agencies, which utilize planes and helicopters to patrol our skies. This
“history” was recently discussed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s Aerial
Bureau, in correspondence with Sedona Legend, in efforts to recognize this valuable connection.

Conjointly with the creation of the California Aerial Sheriff’s Association, in 1926, it is my
understanding that Paul Richter, along with his duties with the Sheriff’s Squadron, was also
contracted by the United States Forest Service to patrol the forests adjoining Los Angeles for
forest fires, as the nation's first official national forest “aerial fire spotter”.
Born- December 13, 1909