Monona in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Royal Airport / Charles Lindbergh
Photographed By Gordon Govier, June 19, 2009
1. Royal Airport Marker
Royal Airport
The site of an airplane landing field, hangars, flying schools and stunt shows, this field was the center of Madison aviation from 1926 to 1938, mainly through the efforts of Howard Morey and his founding of Madison Airways Corporation. Later known as Royal Airways Corporation, it provided the first passenger service to Chicago, while Northwest Airways Inc. provided the first airmail service from this former farmland. The 100 foot wide hangar, built in 1926, could house 17 planes.
Charles Lindbergh
Royal Airport, then called Pennco Field, welcomed Charles Lindbergh and the "Spirit of St. Louis" in a triumphal visit to Madison in 1927, three months after his historic trans-Atlantic solo flight. He circled the field three times, and then banked into a perfect landing at exactly 2:00 PM. Lindbergh returned to Madison in 1928 to receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. On each visit, Lindbergh strongly advocated the commercial development of aviation in Madison.
Erected 2005 by Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 498.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Paunack Park (approx. ¾ mile away); Black Bridge (approx. 0.9 miles away); MMSD Wildlife Observation Area (approx. one mile away); The Lewis Nine Springs E-Way / Philip and Elizabeth Lewis (approx. one mile away); The Outlet Mound (approx. one mile away); George Nichols Home - Circa 1878 (approx. 1.1 miles away); Bungalowen (approx. 1.1 miles away); Monona Lake Assembly Normal Hall (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monona.
Photographed By Gordon Govier, August 12, 2009
2. Charles Lindbergh Marker
Photographed By Gordon Govier, June 19, 2009
3. Royal Airport Marker attached photo
Charles Lindbergh's "The Spirit of St. Louis"
Pennco Field, 1927
Photographed By Gordon Govier, June 19, 2009
4. Royal Airport Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2009, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 3,347 times since then and 121 times this year. Last updated on October 17, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on July 19, 2009, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on August 12, 2009, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. 3, 4. submitted on July 19, 2009, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
