West Milton in Miami County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Charles Furnas 1880- 1941
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, November 13, 2015
1. Charles Furnas 1880- 1941 Marker
close up, showing text, front side
Side A
In 1908, West Milton native Charles Furnas worked as a machinist in Dayton doing odd jobs for the Wright Brothers, the inventors of the first practical airplane. At that time the U.S. Army had agreed to purchase an aircraft from the Wright Brothers provided it would carry a pilot and a passenger. Furnas worked with the brothers to adapt their plane. On May 14, 1908, he flew first with Wilbur and then with Orville, becoming the world's first airplane passenger.
side B
Following the test flights in 1908, the
Wright Brothers engaged Charles Furnas
full time. As the first person hired to
build airplanes, he was the first employee
in what would become the aerospace
industry. He worked with Orville and
Wilbur to develop "Signal Corps No. I," America's
first military aircraft and the beginning of the
U.S. Air Force. He left employment with the
Wright Brothers to start a garage in West Milton,
but remained friends. Orville attended his funeral
in 1941.
Erected 2008 by Paul G. Duke Foundation Hale Sarver Funeral Home West Milton Chamber of Commerce The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 31- 55.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space
this page online
Location. 39° 58.004′ N, 84° 19.72′ W. Marker is in West Milton, Ohio, in Miami County. Marker is at the intersection of North Miami Street (Ohio Route 48) and Cemetery Road, on the right when traveling north on North Miami Street. marker is on the lawn in front of the Hale Sarver Funeral Home. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 284 N Miami St, West Milton OH 45383, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. West Milton Korean War Memorial (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Underground Railroad in West Milton (approx. 0.2 miles away); West Milton Friends Meeting (approx. ¼ mile away); 1804 Quaker Meeting House (approx. 2.2 miles away); The Brick Wall (approx. 2.2 miles away); John Hoover (approx. 2.2 miles away); Hanktown (approx. 3.2 miles away); 1804 Iddings Log House (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Milton.
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, November 13, 2015
2. Charles Furnas 1880- 1941 Marker
close up, back side
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, 11 13/2015
3. Charles Furnas 1880- 1941 Marker
full view of marker
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, November 13, 2015
4. Charles Furnas 1880- 1941 Marker
marker can be seen at a distance
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, November 13, 2015
5. Charles Furnas 1880- 1941 Marker
portrait of Charles Furnas, mounted on marker
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, 1113/2015
6. Charles Furnas 1880- 1941 Marker
Funeral Home sign, in front of marker, on Main Street at Cemetery Road
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2015, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 612 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 14, 2015, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
