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

First Flight in Georgia

Site of Ben Epps' Garage

Photographed by David Seibert, July 13, 2008

1. First Flight in Georgia Marker

Inscription. Georgia’s pioneer aviator, Benjamin Thomas Epps, was born in Oconee County in 1888. He opened Athens’ first automobile repair garage at this location on East Washington Street in 1907. That same year, nineteen-year-old Epps designed and built his first airplane here – a monoplane with an upright buggy seat, bicycle wheels, and a 35-foot wingspan powered by a fifteen-horsepower French Anzani engine. Its successful flight earned him recognition as the father of Georgia aviation. Epps tested his aircraft and operated a flying service at what is now Athens-Ben Epps Airport. He died of injuries suffered in a plane crash in 1937 at the age of forty-nine.

Erected 2007 by Georgia Historical Society, Athens-Clarke County Government Aviation Hall of Fame, and the Epps Cousins Club. (Marker Number 29-5.)

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 1888.

Location. 33° 57.533′ N, 83° 22.617′ W. Marker is in Athens, Georgia, in Athens-Clarke County. It is on E. Washington Street 0 miles east of North Lumpkin Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 E Washington Street, Athens GA 30601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Classic City Area

and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Georgia Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Dedicated to the Veterans of 1898 to 1902 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Athens Double-Barrelled Cannon (about 400 feet away); First Presbyterian Church (about 500 feet away); Dr. Moses Waddel (about 500 feet away); Morton Building (about 500 feet away); Hot Corner (about 600 feet away); Commeration of the Golden Anniversary of a Classic Partnership (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Another marker about Ben Epps.

Photographed by David Seibert, May 30, 2009

2. First Flight in Georgia 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 1,852 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 25, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on May 31, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.