Noted Riverside historian Robert J. Fitch (1988, p. 14) colorfully described how Roman Warren, known as the “Cowboy Aviator” for his skills as both a stunt horseman and pilot, came to Riverside. Warren was flying his plane to Los Angeles to be part of a movie in 1923, when he was forced to land in Riverside because his plane had run out of gas. He decided to make Riverside his new home, and by 1925 he had worked with community leaders to establish Riverside Airport, just west of Mt. Rubidoux and the Santa Ana River (Fitch, pp.22-23). Several of the people who helped to establish the airport, such as Arthur M. Sweet, who owned a downtown clothing store, also had worked with Frank Miller as part of a committee to help create March Field in 1918 (Fitch, p. 24).

Near the Riverside Airport, the Mission Bridge crossed the Santa Ana River with a low arch – a mere sixteen feet above the ground. If three average people stood head to toe in one vertical line, they would be collectively taller than the arch of the Mission Bridge.

As a dramatic stunt, Roman Warren made a historic flight under the arch of the Mission Bridge on June 14, 1926. His dramatic flight was filmed by Robert G. Bennett, a native Riverside representing Pathe World News, a popular news reel company of the day (Fitch, p. 48).