Vintage Postcard – View from Harris Hill, Elmira NY “Gliding Center of the World” – Mark Twain Hotel Promotion (c.1930s–40s)

This vintage linen postcard presents a panoramic view from Harris Hill, Elmira, New York, widely recognized as the “Gliding Center of the World.” In the sky above the Chemung Valley, a sailplane is illustrated soaring over the rolling hills, emphasizing the area’s importance as a hub for early American glider activity.

The lower border advertises the Mark Twain Hotel in Elmira, NY, boasting “250 Rooms, 250 Baths, $2.50 and up.” The reverse provides additional context, noting the site’s selection by the American Aeronautical Society as the national center for gliding research and development, citing over half a million dollars invested in hangars, runways, and facilities at Harris Hill. By the mid-20th century, the location had become the permanent site of the annual National Glider Association Meeting.

This postcard bridges tourism, aviation history, and regional promotion, making it an important collectible for both aviation and local Elmira ephemera collections.