Clintonville in Waupaca County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Birthplace of an Airline
Photographed By Keith L, May 31, 2008
1. Birthplace of an Airline Marker
Inscription.
Birthplace of an Airline. . It was here in Clintonville that Wisconsin Central Airlines, now known as North Central Airlines, was founded in 1944. Fostered and promoted by the Four Wheel Drive Auto Company, the airline was an outgrowth of the company’s need for air transportation. Four Wheel Drive had been operating a non-scheduled airline service to Chicago for months before making application for scheduled airline service to the Civil Aeronautics Board in June, 1944. Since beginning service on February 1, 1948, with a fleet of three nine-passenger twin-engine aircraft, North Central has become one of the largest of the local service air carriers in the country. Its routes provide the basis of Wisconsin’s airline system serving all of the state’s air carrier airports.
It was here in Clintonville that Wisconsin Central Airlines, now known as North Central Airlines, was founded in 1944. Fostered and promoted by the Four Wheel Drive Auto Company, the airline was an outgrowth of the company’s need for air transportation. Four Wheel Drive had been operating a non-scheduled airline service to Chicago for months before making application for scheduled airline service to the Civil Aeronautics Board in June, 1944. Since beginning service on February 1, 1948, with a fleet of three nine-passenger twin-engine aircraft, North Central has become one of the largest of the local service air carriers in the country. Its routes provide the basis of Wisconsin’s airline system serving all of the state’s air carrier airports.
Erected 1964 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 138.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1794.
Location. 44° 37.098′ N, 88° 43.92′ W. Marker is in Clintonville, Wisconsin, in Waupaca County. Marker can be reached from 7th Street, 1½ miles east of Main Street (Wisconsin Highway 22), on
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the right when traveling east. Marker is on the Clintonville Municipal Airport property, beyond the security fence/gate. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Clintonville WI 54929, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . North Central Airlines. “The airline’s route system now reached from coast to coast and would fly on its own for six years before it was purchased by Northwest Airlines in 1986.” (Submitted on June 6, 2008.)
Photographed By Keith L, May 31, 2008
2. Birthplace of an Airline Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,444 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 6, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
