Great Lakes in Lake County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Wings over Great Lakes

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010

1. Wings over Great Lakes Marker

Inscription.
Early aviation at Great Lakes included both pilot training and schools for enlisted Aviation Quartermasters, Machinists Mates, Aviation Armorers, and Ordnancemen. The first pilots were from among wealthy Illinois families who not only encouraged Captain Moffett, the base commander, to establish the program, but also provided their own seaplanes. These planes, including Curtiss Flying Boats, were housed in the seaplane hanger, which still stands, across from the original Boathouse. In the late 1930s, the aviation program outgrew the base and was moved to Naval Air Station Glenview.

Erected by Naval Station Great Lakes.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Education • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World I.

Location. 42° 18.706′ N, 87° 50.413′ W. Marker is in Great Lakes, Illinois, in Lake County. Marker is on Farragut Avenue near Sampson Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in the Historic District of Naval Station Great Lakes. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Great Lakes IL 60088, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Great Lakes History Trail (here, next to this marker); Base Realignment and Closure (here, next to this marker);

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

Fighting Tradesmen (here, next to this marker); World War II (here, next to this marker); Great Lakes Athletics (here, next to this marker); Women at Great Lakes (here, next to this marker); The Post War Era (here, next to this marker); The Golden Thirteen (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Great Lakes.

Also see . . .
1. National Museum of the American Sailor. Museum website homepage
(formerly Great Lakes Naval Museum) (Submitted on November 12, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

2. National Naval Aviation Museum. Pensacola FL (Submitted on November 12, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Photo on Wings over Great Lakes Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010

2. Photo on Wings over Great Lakes Marker

[Caption reads] Planes fly over the Administration Building.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010

3. Photo on Wings over Great Lakes Marker

[Caption reads] Sea Planes on Lake Michigan.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010

4. Photo on Wings over Great Lakes Marker

[Caption partially reads] Trouble Shooting on Motors, Machinist Mates (Aviation) School.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010

5. Wings over Great Lakes Marker

Naval Station Great Lakes image. Click for more information.

via Naval Station Great Lakes, Unknown

6. Naval Station Great Lakes

U.S. Navy website entry
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 793 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 12, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 6. submitted on August 28, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.