The first transcontinental flight was completed in 1911 by Cal Rodgers, who learned to fly after only 90 minutes of instruction from Orville Wright. Answering a challenge by William Randolph Hearst to fly cross country in 30 days, Cal was sponsored by the Armour Company to promote their new “Vin Fiz” grape soda. Streator was one of his landing sites as he flew into the history books of aviation.