North Arroyo near Pasadena in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Founders Plaque
Photographed by Craig Baker, August 24, 2023
1. Jet Propulsion Laboratory Marker
On October 31, 1936 at a site approximately 400 yards to the southeast, in the Arroyo Seco River Bed, a group of students and co-workers from the Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory, California Institute of Technology (GALCIT), with the encouragement of Dr. Theodore Von Karman, fired their first rocket motor burning gaseous oxygen and methyl alcohol.
This test led to the creation of the Galcit Rocket Research Project in 1937, formal government sponsorship of Galcit Rocket Research in 1939-1940, and the subsequent founding of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1944.
Individuals who participated in the first Galcit Rocket test were:
Frank J. Malina Edward S. Forman John W. Parsons William C. Rockefeller William A. Bollay Carlos C. Wood Apollo M.O. Smith
This bronze memorial honors participants in the first rocket test in the Arroyo. The memorial was unveiled in 1968. It is known as the founders' plaque.
Not all participants were founders, and not all founders were participants. The makers omitted Qian Xuesen and Weld Arnold, who were not there, and Jeanne Bollay, who was.
In support of inclusion and historical accuracy, and to the best of current knowledge, this is the full list of those involved in the tests and research of 1936-38 that gave rise to the
this page online
JPL Founders:
Weld Arnold - Funding and photography. Edward S. Forman - Fabrication. Frank J. Malina - Analysis, theory and management. John W. Parsons - Chemistry. Apollo M. O. Smith - Analysis and theory. Qian Xuesen - Analysis and theory.
Observers and Assistants:
William and Jeanne Bollay, Nickolas G. Ivanoff, William C. Rockefeller, Rudolph Schott, Phillip E. Saurenman, Carlos C. Wood.
2023
Erected 1968 by Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Education • Science & Medicine. A significant historical date for this entry is October 31, 1936.
Location. 34° 11.987′ N, 118° 10.491′ W. Marker is near Pasadena, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in North Arroyo. It can be reached from Oak Grove Drive 0.3 miles north of Foothill Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena CA 91109, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles and in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Voyager Spacecraft - Interplanetary Explorers (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Space Flight Operations Facility (about 400 feet away); O. Oliver Goodall (approx. 0.8 miles away); Who was Robert Owens of El Prieto Canyon?
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. Jet Propulsion Laboratory Marker
More about this marker. Located on the JPL campus and can only be visited in one of three ways:
1. During a JPL open house. This does not occur every year.
2. Work at JPL or be a student at Cal Tech.
3. Tours of JPL are offered year-round, must be reserved in advance, and space is limited.
Photographed by Adam Margolis, June 10, 2018
3. Jet Propulsion Laboratory Marker
Photographed by Adam Margolis, June 10, 2018
4. Jet Propulsion Laboratory Marker
Photographed by Adam Margolis, June 10, 2018
5. JLP Open House
Photographed by Craig Baker, May 18, 2019
6. Theodore Von Karman Dedication
Located in the auditorium lobby.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2018, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 1,000 times since then and 76 times this year. Last updated on June 14, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on August 25, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on March 25, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 11, 2018, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 6. submitted on May 21, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
