Moundsville in Marshall County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Lindy’s Landing

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 18, 2009

1. Lindy’s Landing Marker

Inscription.
The “Spirit of St. Louis,” piloted by Charles Lindberg landed in Moundsville .1 mile west at Langin Field, Aug. 4, 1927. Seen by 140,000 locally, he led aviation into the rocket era, creating the U.S. air transportation network.

Erected 2002 by West Virginia Division of Archives and History, sponsored by Moundsville historians Thomas James, Mamie Legg and Joseph Roberts.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 4, 1920.

Location. 39° 55.458′ N, 80° 45.002′ W. Marker is in Moundsville, West Virginia, in Marshall County. Marker is on Lafayette Avenue (West Virginia Route 2) half a mile south of North Jefferson Avenue (U.S. 250), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Moundsville WV 26041, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. World War II, Korea and Viet Nam Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); James Lloyd Rose (approx. 0.4 miles away); Recipients of the Purple Heart (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gold Star Families Memorial Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4

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miles away); Old Brick School House (approx. half a mile away); Volunteers in the Spanish-American War (approx. half a mile away); Moundsville / Capt. James Harrod (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Moundsville.

Also see . . .
1. Lindbergh Lands In Moundsville. Charles Lindberg website entry:
2002 article by Thomas O. James. “West Virginia was slated for a [goodwill tour] visit [after Lindbergh’s return from France] and the most populous city, Wheeling, was selected as the site for his appearance. ‘Civic leaders of the prosperous river city raised several thousand dollars’ to purchase all the supplies needed to prepare the West Virginia State Fair Grounds on Wheeling Island for Lindbergh’s address. However, Wheeling had no airport at the time, and since the only federally recognized airfield in West Virginia was located at Moundsville, it was decided that Langin Field, (named for James Joseph Langin, an Air Service hero), would receive the Spirit of St. Louis and welcome ‘Lindy’ to the Mountain State. This airfield was located between W.Va. State Route 2 and the Ohio river, adjacent to the former Alexander Mine. Langin Field was part of a proposed ‘Model Airway,’ an early coast-to-coast

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 18, 2009

2. Lindy’s Landing Marker

flight path. Situated between Washington and Dayton, Langin was often used as a mid-way refueling stop for biplane style aircraft. It had a spacious hanger in which the Spirit of St. Louis was housed overnight. Although nothing remains today of that hanger, a portion of the airfield is kept mowed and the site now is parceled out as a baseball diamond, a large, private vegetable garden and the Moundsville Water Pumping Station.” (Submitted on July 1, 2009.)

2. Charles Lindbergh. Find A Grave website entry (Submitted on July 9, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

3. Lindbergh's Journey. YouTube video (43m 29s) (Submitted on March 15, 2013, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)

4. Charles Lindbergh. Wikipedia entry:
“Lindbergh’s flight was not the first non-stop transatlantic flight. Alcock and Brown achieved this in June 1919. Lindbergh’s flight was, however, the first solo, non-stop transatlantic flight. Lindbergh was an officer in the U.S. Army Air Corps Reserve, and he received the United States’ highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for the feat, and many other awards and other forms of recognition from many countries. Lindbergh's achievement spurred interest in both commercial aviation and air mail, and he devoted much time and effort to promoting such activity.” (Submitted on August 3, 2019.)

Charles Lindberg image. Click for full size.

Harris & Ewing glass negative in the U.S. Library of Congress

3. Charles Lindberg

The date of this photograph is not known. It could have been first published between 1905 and 1945.

Charles Lindbergh Lands the Spirit of St. Louis at Langin Field in Moundsville image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Unknown Photographer, August 4, 1927

4. Charles Lindbergh Lands the Spirit of St. Louis at Langin Field in Moundsville

On August 4, 1927, Charles Lindbergh landed the Spirit of St. Louis at Langin Field in Moundsville.
Courtesy: West Virginia Division of Culture and History

Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,516 times since then and 39 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week August 4, 2019. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 1, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on August 3, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on January 13, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of former Langin Field • Can you help?