Newport Beach in Orange County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

First Water-to-Water Flight

Historic Flight

2011

1. Historic Flight Marker

Inscription. On May 10, 1912, Glenn L. Martin flew his hydroplane, built in Orange County, from the sea near the Balboa Pier to Catalina Island. This was the fastest and longest flight over water at that time.

original marker, removed in 2010:
Glen L. Martin flew his own plane, built in Santa Ana, from the waters of the Pacific Ocean at Balboa to Catalina Island, May 10, 1912. This was the first water-to-water flight and the longest and fastest over-water flight to that date. Martin, on his return to the mainland, carried the day's mail from Catalina--another first.

Erected 1963 by California State Park Commission in cooperation with the City of Newport Beach. (Marker Number 775.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1945.

Location. 33° 36.055′ N, 117° 53.991′ W. Marker is in Newport Beach, California, in Orange County. Marker is on Balboa Pier. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Balboa Pier, Newport Beach CA 92661, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rendezvous Ballroom (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Balboa Village (about 600 feet away); Balboa Saloon

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(about 700 feet away); Balboa Pavilion (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Balboa Pavilion (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Balboa Pavilion (about 700 feet away); Pizza Pete's Cafe (about 700 feet away); First Ferry Service Between Balboa and Balboa Island (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport Beach.

More about this marker. This site is California Historical Landmark No. 775.

During a remodel of the Balboa Pier, some time around 2010, the original marker was removed and replaced with a smaller marker.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. — Channel crossing marker on Catalina Island.

Also see . . . Glenn L. Martin (Wikipedia). "Glenn Luther Martin (January 17, 1886 – December 5, 1955) was an early American aviation pioneer. He designed and built his own aircraft and was an active pilot, as well as an aviation record-holder. He founded an aircraft company in 1912 which through several mergers amalgamated into what is today

2011

2. Historic Flight Marker

This new marker has replaced the old one.

known as Lockheed Martin." (Submitted on June 26, 2018.)

First Water-to-Water Flight Marker (now retired) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Kindig, May 6, 2001

3. First Water-to-Water Flight Marker (now retired)

<i>Pilot Glenn Martin at the controls of his aircraft as a mechanic prepares the plane...</i> image. Click for full size.

courtesy of University of Southern California Libraries and the California Historical Society, 1912

4. Pilot Glenn Martin at the controls of his aircraft as a mechanic prepares the plane...

...for takeoff at the Dominguez Hills Air Meet, 1912

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 951 times since then and 44 times this year. Last updated on June 26, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 26, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on December 10, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 4. submitted on June 26, 2018. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.