Logan in Cache County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

First Dawn To Dusk Flight Across America

Photographed By Vincent Cascio, July 7, 2011

1. First Dawn To Dusk Flight Across America Marker

Inscription. Colonel Russell L Maughan of Logan, Utah, made the first daylight flight across the continent on June 23, 1924. Flying solo in a Curtis PW-8 pursuit aircraft, Maughan, then a Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Service, left Mitchell Field, New York, at dawn and arrived a Crissy Field, San Francisco, at 9:40 p.m., P.S.T., one minute before official dusk.

Winging his way to destiny, Maughan flew from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean in 21 hours 48 minutes and 30 seconds, averaging approximately 150 miles per hour. His actual in-flight time was 18 hours and 20 minutes.

Having made two previous attempts, which were aborted because of engine failures, Maughan’s successful flight illuminated the imagination of people everywhere. Hailed as a world hero he set both pattern and precedent for generations to follow.

His flight of fancy and faith had become a reality. And in a few short years others have broken the sound barrier, flown to the moon, and orbited the earth in a fantastic sequence of adventures of the human spirit.

But in 1924 the dawn to dusk flight across America was a ‘Maughanumental” achievement.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical date for this entry is June 23, 1924.

Location. 41° 43.883′ N, 111° 49.883′ W. Marker is in Logan

Paid Advertisement

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

Click or scan to see
this page online

, Utah, in Cache County. Marker is on Center St., on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 133 E Center St, Logan UT 84321, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Johns Episcopal Church (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cache Valley (about 800 feet away); Pioneer Mills of Cache Valley (approx. 0.2 miles away); The First Settlers of Logan (approx. 0.2 miles away); 19 North Main (approx. 0.2 miles away); 5 South Main (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bullen Center (approx. 0.2 miles away); 102 North Main (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Logan.

Also see . . . Wikipedia entry. “Maughan encountered thunderstorms between Dayton and St. Joseph, but reached Saint Joseph without incident. The grass field there was soft from heavy rain, limiting the takeoff weight of his plane. Unable to take on a full load of fuel, Maughan flew to North Platte, Nebraska, where he completely filled the fuel tank, but which caused a further 20-minute delay. The detour to North Platte also resulted in Maughan encountering a strong headwind, slowing his average groundspeed. He landed at the air mail field at Salduro Siding, a railroad stop adjacent to the Bonneville Salt Flats, at almost 6:30 p.m. local time and calculated that reaching San Francisco by dusk was still possible.” (Submitted on June 22, 2019.)

Photographed By Vincent Cascio, July 7, 2011

2. First Dawn To Dusk Flight Across America Marker

Curtiss Pursuit Coast-to-Coast Ship, Lt. R. L. Maughan, Pilot, U.S.A image. Click for full size.

Smithsonian Nat. Air and Space Museum Collection, June 29, 1923

3. Curtiss Pursuit Coast-to-Coast Ship, Lt. R. L. Maughan, Pilot, U.S.A

“One-half front left side view of Curtiss PW-8 Hawk (s/n 23-1201, P-295) on the ground, June 29, 1923; pilot Lt. Russell L. Maughan poses standing in front aircraft, holding lower blade of propeller”

Russell L Maughan House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Vincent Cascio, July 7, 2011

4. Russell L Maughan House

Lieutenant Russell L. Maughan image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress Collection, via PICRYL, July 8, 1924

5. Lieutenant Russell L. Maughan

Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2011, by Vincent Cascio of Logan, Utah. This page has been viewed 1,114 times since then and 47 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week June 23, 2019. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 10, 2011, by Vincent Cascio of Logan, Utah. 3. submitted on June 22, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on July 10, 2011, by Vincent Cascio of Logan, Utah. 5. submitted on June 22, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.