Fort Myer in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

World’s First Public Passenger Flight

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 9, 2017

1. World’s First Public Passenger Flight Marker

Inscription. On September 9, 1908, near this site, Orville Wright carried aloft in public his first passenger, Lt. Frank P. Lahm, for a flight lasting 6 minutes and 24 seconds. Three days later, he took Major George O. Squier on a flight of 9 minutes and 6 seconds duration. From this primitive beginning has evolved an air transportation system that today spans the globe.

Erected 1983 by Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number C-2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 9, 1908.

Location. 38° 52.863′ N, 77° 5.036′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Fort Myer. Marker is at the intersection of Arlington Boulevard (U.S. 50) and North Pershing Drive, on the right when traveling east on Arlington Boulevard. It is just outside Henry Gate for Joint Base Myer’s Henderson Hall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Arlington VA 22201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Orville Wright’s First Virginia Flight (here, next to this marker); Fort Whipple (within shouting distance of this marker); 12th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry

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(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Myer Historic District (about 500 feet away); The Commander in Chief's Oak (about 500 feet away); Centennial of Military Aviation (about 500 feet away); Thomas Etholen Selfridge (about 500 feet away); Famous Firsts in Aeronautics at Fort Myer (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.

Also see . . . 1908: The Year the Airplane Went Public. 2008 article from Air and Space magazine. “Orville Wright joined his brother in the limelight on September 3, 1908, when he made his first public flight at Fort Myer. Like Wilbur, he continued to fly over the next two weeks, carrying passengers and meeting criteria established by the Army for the purchase of an airplane.” (Submitted on September 10, 2017.)

Two First-Flight Markers and the Blue Star Memorial Marker for Arlington Boulevard image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 9, 2017

2. Two First-Flight Markers and the Blue Star Memorial Marker for Arlington Boulevard

The Blue Star Memorial Highway marker reads “A tribute to the Armed Forces that have defended the United States of America, sponsored by Rock Spring Garden Club in cooperation with the Fort Myer Military Community and National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc.”

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 816 times since then and 378 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 10, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 2. submitted on September 9, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.