Goleta in Santa Barbara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Earle Ovington Terminal
Earle Ovington was the first pilot to carry air mail in the U.S.—a 7 mile flight from Garden City to Mineola, Long Island, N.Y. on September 23, 1911—under official assignment by Postmaster General Frank H. Hitchcock.
Earle Ovington developed and operated the first airport in Santa Barbara—known as Ovington Air Terminal—now the community golf course area.
The first commercial flight from Santa Barbara was made on August 1, 1931 from Ovington Air Terminal to Los Angeles.
Dated August 30, 1969
Gerald S. Firestone, Mayor
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. In addition, it is included in the Postal Mail and Philately series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1842.
Location. 34° 25.527′ N, 119° 50.17′ W. Marker is in Goleta, California, in Santa Barbara County. Marker can be reached from Fowler Avenue, 0.3 miles west of S. Fairview Avenue. Marker is located at the north end of the Santa Barbara Airport terminal building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Fowler Ave, Goleta CA 93117, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Ovington's Hangar (approx. 0.9 miles away); Goleta Depot (approx. 1˝ miles away); Hope House (approx. 3.8 miles away); Japanese Attack (approx. 4.1 miles away); a different marker also named Japanese Attack (approx. 4.6 miles away); Egg McMuffin (approx. 4.9 miles away); Chumash Painted Cave (approx. 6.1 miles away); Cold Spring Tavern (approx. 6.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Goleta.
Also see . . . Earle Ovington: Pilot of the First Official Airmail Flight in the United States. Smithsonian National Postal Museum entry (Submitted on November 18, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 707 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 31, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 4. submitted on November 18, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.