Athens in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Ben T. Epps

Georgia's Pioneer Aviator

— 1888-1937 —

Ben T. Epps Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, September 24, 2007

1. Ben T. Epps Marker

Inscription. Ben T. Epps - Georgia's First in Flight -- designed, built and in 1907 flew the first airplane in the State of Georgia. He was born in Oconee County, educated in Clarke County, and attended Georgia Tech. A self-taught aviator, aircraft designer, and builder, Epps built the 1907 Monoplane in his shop on Washington Street in Athens and designed and flew new airplanes in 1909, 1911, 1916, 1924, and 1930. The 1924 Epps Monoplane weighed only 350 pounds, had a wingspan of 25 feet, and was powered by a two-cylinder motorcycle engine. Designed for the average man, easy to fly, and inexpensive to operate, it would get 25 miles per gallon at 60 miles per hour.

Epps began operation of an airport at this location in 1917, and operated a flying service for the next 20 years. In 1937, he died of injuries here after engine failure and the crash of his light biplane on take-off.

Erected 1987 by Georgia Department of Natural Resources. (Marker Number 029-16.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 33° 57.111′ N, 83° 19.429′ W. Marker is in Athens, Georgia, in Athens-Clarke

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County. Marker is on Ben Epps Drive, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located in front of the passenger terminal at the Athens Ben Epps Airport. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1010 Ben Epps Drive, Athens GA 30605, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Carr's Hill (approx. 2.4 miles away); Original Oconee Street Methodist Episcopal Church bell (approx. 2.4 miles away); Chapters in Athens Heritage (approx. 2½ miles away); a different marker also named Chapters in Athens Heritage (approx. 2½ miles away); a different marker also named Chapters in Athens Heritage (approx. 2½ miles away); a different marker also named Chapters in Athens Heritage (approx. 2½ miles away); a different marker also named Chapters in Athens Heritage (approx. 2½ miles away); a different marker also named Chapters in Athens Heritage (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, June 19, 2021

2. Ben T. Epps Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,667 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 25, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on June 19, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.