Marina in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation

The Pioneers 1911-1924

Photographed by Denise Boose, June 21, 2015

1. San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation Marker

Inscription. Six weeks after the arrival of the USS California in San Diego Harbor, aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss established a flying school in an inlet just across the bay to your left where you are standing. There he trained Lieutenant Theodore Ellyson and three Army officers who became our nation’s first military pilots.

In addition to training pilots, Curtiss developed a “hydroaeroplane” that could take off from and land on water. On January 28, 1911, Curtiss proved the adaptability of this airplane when he flew his new aircraft across the bay, landed in the water, had it hoisted aboard the cruiser Pennsylvania, then lowered it back into the water alongside the ship. After flying his aircraft back to his base in Spanish Bight, it was hard for anyone to deny that aircraft could indeed play a practical role in our nation’s Navy.

On September 25, 1917, the Navy established its first permanent Naval Air Station on North Island, directly across the bay from where you are standing. This station consisted of a pilot training station, a mechanics’ school, and a patrol plane base.

By 1924, the U.S. Naval Air Station North Island had grown to a modern facility sporting a number of red tiled administrative building above which stood a control tower you can still see today directly across the bay.

Erected by

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

USS Midway Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 32° 42.826′ N, 117° 10.607′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in Marina. It is on North Harbor Drive, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 910 North Harbor Drive, San Diego CA 92101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation (a few steps from this marker); San Diego's Guardians of the Southwest (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation (a few steps from this marker); Bridle-Arrest "Horns" (a few steps from this marker); A National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

Photographed by Denise Boose, June 21, 2015

2. San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation Marker

San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation Marker detail image. Click for full size.

3. San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation Marker detail

Glenn Curtiss sitting at the controls of one of his aircraft designs. Note the aileron control rods he operated with his shoulders. This was an improvement over the Wright brothers' system for changing the direction of the aircraft.

February 17, 1911

4. San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation Marker detail

On February 17, 1911, Curtiss stood atop the upper wing of his aircraft while it was being hoisted aboard the USS Pennsylvania.

March 30, 1911

5. San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation Marker detail

Curtiss worked at improving his early version of the hydroaeroplane at this base in Spanish Bight. The Navy ordered three aircraft from him but required that he mount flotation devices on the wings of the aircraft.

6. San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation Marker detail

By 1924, Naval Air Station North Island had grown into a major naval installation. Note the aircraft parked next to the two landing and takeoff areas marked with arrows.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 352 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 3, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.