Rutland in Rutland County, Vermont — The American Northeast (New England)
George Schmitt
1892-1913
George Schmitt of Rutland, along with his brother, Charles, built and flew the state's first glider near here in 1909. Schmitt learned to fly in the company of Curtis, Wright and Baldwin. He was the second person to fly in Vermont. Schmitt set national aviation and distance records. At 19 he and his manager formed the Schmitt Aviation Company for exhibition flying. He was the first pilot to fly in parts of the Caribbean, Central and South America. He was the first person to fly from the Atlantic to the Pacific. He flew the first Vermont Airmail at the Rutland Fair. At 21 his career and life came to an end in the state's first fatal accident. He was taking a friend up when the friend panicked and broke control wires. Schmitt is buried in Rutland.
Erected 2012 by Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.
Location. 43° 35.774′ N, 72° 58.214′ W. Marker is in Rutland, Vermont, in Rutland County. Marker is on South Main Street (U.S. 4), on the right when traveling south. Marker is located near the main entrance to the state fairgrounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 175 South Main Street, Rutland VT 05701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rutland County Vietnam Honor Roll (approx. 0.6 miles away); Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1 - First in the Nation (approx. 0.6 miles away); A Soldier Carved in Stone (approx. 0.6 miles away); A Brief History of a Long War (approx. 0.6 miles away); Rutland County Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Rutland G.A.R. Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Major General Merritt A. Edson (approx. 0.7 miles away); Korea War Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rutland.
Also see . . .
1. George J. Schmitt. Find A Grave website entry (Submitted on April 25, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Early Aviaton 1910. Vermont History website entry (Submitted on October 15, 2014, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2014, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. This page has been viewed 635 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 15, 2014, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. 2. submitted on April 25, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on October 15, 2014, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.