Midland in Midland County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

John Valentine Pliska

Site (1904-1962) of blacksmith shop of

— (Dec. 6, 1878 – July 28, 1956) —

John Valentine Pliska Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 11, 2015

1. John Valentine Pliska Marker

Inscription. Mechanical genius who made and flew first locally-owned aircraft. Born in Austria, Pliska came with parents to Texas, and after 1903 followed blacksmith trade in Midland. He built (1912) and flew at intervals up to 15 minutes an aeroplane of his own invention. (Plane now in museum at Midland-Odessa air terminal.)

Pliska was a master Smith. Gen. John J. Pershing had U. S. Army horses shod here during border trouble prior to World War I. Branding irons for a large west Texas area were also made here.

Pliska married Louis Hundle. They had seven children.

Erected 1970 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 2815.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 31° 59.905′ N, 102° 4.397′ W. Marker is in Midland, Texas, in Midland County. Marker is at the intersection of North Baird Street and East Texas Avenue, on the right when traveling south on North Baird Street. Marker is on the southwest corner. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Midland TX 79701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Brown-Dorsey House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Former Site of Midland National Bank (about 500 feet away); Site of Midland County's First Bank

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(about 500 feet away); Site of “The Staked Plains” (about 500 feet away); The Yucca Theatre (approx. 0.2 miles away); Midland National Bank (approx. 0.4 miles away); W. F. Scarborough Home, 1908 (approx. 0.6 miles away); Midland's First House (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Midland.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 11, 2015

2. John Valentine Pliska Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 535 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 30, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.