Near Troy in Miami County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
WACO Aircraft Company
(Weaver Aircraft Company)
Founded in 1921 as the Weaver Aircraft Company and located in Lorain, Ohio, the Waco Aircraft Company relocated to Troy in March 1923. It was the first aircraft company to use assembly line production and shock strut landing gear. Leading all civilian aircraft production at a ratio of two to one from 1927-1929, the company had sales distributors in 24 countries worldwide. The United States government became the prime contractor of Waco Aircraft Company's troop/cargo gliders (CG-4A) used extensively during World War II. The company also managed the U.S. Army's glider program for 15 companies that produced gliders nationwide. The last WACO, model W "Aristrocraft," was built in Troy in June 1947.
Erected 2003 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, City of Troy, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 7-55.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1923.
Location. 40° 0.778′ N, 84° 11.99′ W. Marker is near Troy, Ohio, in Miami County. Marker is on County Road 25A , on the left when traveling south. Marker is on the NW side of the red 1856 barn at WACO Field, about 300 feet SE of the intersection of County Road 25A and Swailes Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1865 S County Road 25A, Piqua OH 45356, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. WACO (a few steps from this marker); Miami and Erie Canal (approx. 0.3 miles away); Junior Girls Canteen 1943-1946 (approx. 1.4 miles away); Dilts Warehouse Plant No. 1 (approx. 1.4 miles away); Miami & Erie Canal (approx. 1.7 miles away); Troy Presbyterian Church (approx. 1.8 miles away); WACO History (approx. 1.8 miles away); Engine Storage Location (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Troy.
Also see . . .
1. WACO Air Museum. Museum website homepage (Submitted on March 8, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. WACO Aircraft Models. Aerofiles website entry (Submitted on March 8, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Waco CG-4. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 12, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,326 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on March 3, 2011, by Scott Beckerman of Kettering, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on March 8, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on June 5, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3. submitted on July 12, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5. submitted on March 8, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 6. submitted on July 3, 2021, by Robert Baughman of Bellefontaine, Ohio. 7. submitted on March 8, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 8, 9. submitted on July 3, 2021, by Robert Baughman of Bellefontaine, Ohio. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.