Troy in Miami County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Engine Storage Location
WACO History
The attic of this building was once used as a storage location for 300 OX-5 engines, similar to the engine pictured here on the right. Most of the engines were purchased from Gar Wood, a famous speedboat builder and racer from Detroit, Michigan. Legend states that Wood used the OX-5 engines to power his boats, some of which were used during prohibition to run illegal alcohol from Canada to the lower forty-eight. WACO also purchased engines from the Dodge brothers in Detroit.
Photograph captions include:
The WACO Model 4 was the first WACO built that incorporated the Curtiss OX-5 engine.
Photo taken around 1923 shows Clayton Brukner, man on the left, one of the founders of The WACO Aircraft Company barnstorming with a Curtiss JN-4D. “Jenny” airplanes were manufactured by the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company of Buffalo, New York. Used as trainers during WWI, the “Jenny” airplanes and parts flooded the surplus market after the war and parts could be purchased very inexpensively. Two of the three WACO Aircraft Company founders, Clayton Brukner and Elwood “Sam” Junkin, worked for Curtiss during WWI and took advantage of the available parts when they started designing and building their own airplanes in 1921. The WACO Aircraft Company produced airplanes in Troy from 1923-1946.
Erected by The Troy Foundation, WACO Historical Society and City of Troy. (Marker Number 003.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Industry & Commerce • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.
Location. 40° 2.378′ N, 84° 12.043′ W. Marker is in Troy, Ohio, in Miami County. Marker is at the intersection of Water Street and Mulberry Street, on the right when traveling east on Water Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 209 E Water Street, Troy OH 45373, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The John Kitchen House 1847 (a few steps from this marker); Overfield Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); Troy Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Troy's Public Square & Third Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); WACO History (approx. 0.2 miles away); Courthouses and Jail (approx. ¼ mile away); Sheriff’s House and Jail (approx. ¼ mile away); Miami & Erie Canal (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Troy.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 934 times since then and 7 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on June 7, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.