Coronado in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Birthplace of Naval Aviation
Photographed by James F. Jamison, April 26, 2018
1. Birthplace of Naval Aviation Marker
In 1910, on the unoccupied brushland of North Coronado Island, inventor and entrepreneur Glenn Hammond Curtiss opened his winter flying school for prospective "aeroplane pilots."Among his first class of students was Navy Lieutenant Theodore G. "Spuds" Ellyson, who would become the first Naval Aviator. In 1917, the U.S. Congress appropriated the island to support World War I effort and two airfields occupied the sandy flats - the Navy's "Camp Trouble" and the Army Signal Corps' Rockwell Field. The Army vacated Rockwell Field in 1935, at which time the Navy expanded its operations to cover the whole island. Many aviation milestones originated from North Island including the first seaplane flight in the United States in 1911.
San Diego, California was designated the "Birthplace of Naval Aviation" by the Armed Services Committee of the United States House of Representatives on 24 March 1961.
Erected 2011 by California State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the
this page online
Location. 32° 41.987′ N, 117° 10.307′ W. Marker is in Coronado, California, in San Diego County. It can be reached from the intersection of Orange Avenue and 1st Street. Marker is located in Coronado's Centennial Park on the west side of the pedestrian path that leads to the Skyline Viewpoint, just short of the viewpoint. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Coronado CA 92118, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular Ranges. It is also in the American Borderlands and on the Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexico’s Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Centennial Park (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Coronado Ferryboat Terminal (about 400 feet away); First Firehouse Site - 1892
Photographed by James F. Jamison, April 26, 2018
2. Birthplace of Naval Aviation Marker
The USS Midway Museum is visible on the other side of the San Diego Bay from the Birth of Naval Aviation historical marker.
Photo courtesy of the University of Wisconsin Brittingham Lantern Slides Collection, February 26, 1911
3. Coronado, Calif. Curtiss ready to fly
"Aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss preparing for a flying demonstration. Curtiss made the first publically observed 1 km. flight in 1908. Though he was involved in a protracted legal battle with the Wright brothers over patent infringement, their two companies eventually merged into the Curtiss-Wright Corporation." - Univ. of Wisconsin
Kearny Photo Service (photo courtesy of California State Library), 1918
4. Planes over Rockwell Field in flight over San Diego
"View from rooftop shows airplanes from Rockwell Field in flight over San Diego. Shows Hotel St. James and other buildings; people gathered on roofs to watch." - CSL
Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2018, by Col. James F. Jamison, USMC (Ret) of Coronado, California. This page has been viewed 1,354 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 26, 2018, by Col. James F. Jamison, USMC (Ret) of Coronado, California. 3, 4. submitted on April 26, 2018. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
