Mt. Pulaski in Logan County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Bi-Plane - Train Race 1910

Photographed By Al Wolf, October 5, 2008

1. Bi-Plane - - Train Race 1910 Marker

Inscription. The historic race between a Wright Brothers bi-plane (2 wings) and an Illinois Central Steam train took place September 29, 1910 from Washington Park in Chicago to the State Fairgrounds in Springfield. Wilbur Wright was a passenger on the train. Walter R. Brookins piloted the bi-plane. The win established the first airline route in Illinois and won the $10,000 prize offered by the 'Record Herald' newspaper. Two World records were set at this landing - - sustained flight of 88 miles plus the record for long distance flight of 169 miles. The bi-plane averaged 33 MPH at the height of 1,000 ft., despite losing 1 wheel at Mt. Pulaski. The open field marking the second refueling of the epoch making flight was owned by F. W. Obermiller.

Erected 1984 by City of Mt. Pulaski and Logan County Tourism Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Railroads & Streetcars • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is September 29, 1858.

Location. 40° 0.245′ N, 89° 17.133′ W. Marker is in Mt. Pulaski, Illinois, in Logan County. Marker is at the intersection of South Illinois Street and East Scroggin Avenue, on the left when traveling north on South Illinois Street. From downtown Mt. Pulaski - Go South on South

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Washington Street to McDonald Street. Cross over the railroad tracks. Marker is on Right just over the railroad tracks. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mount Pulaski IL 62548, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mt. Pulaski Court House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lincoln's Law Practice (approx. 0.3 miles away); Circuit Court Stop (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pig Hip Restaurant (approx. 9½ miles away); Lincoln's Elkhart Connection (approx. 9.9 miles away); Elkhart Cemetery (approx. 9.9 miles away); a different marker also named Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District (approx. 10 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mt. Pulaski.

Also see . . .
1. Chicago to Springfield Race. Walter Brookins: “The propeller worked nicely, and I was only compelled to descend to the ground because my supply of gasoline was giving out and needed replenishing. The distance, after deducting stops, was made in five hours and forty minutes. I was unable to hear any sounds from the earth, not even the whistling of the locomotive of the Illinois Central train which was running with me, as I kept at a high altitude owing to the current of air in which I was traveling.” (Submitted on February 1, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)

2. Eyewitness Story

Looking North - - Railroad Tracks Yet Exist image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Al Wolf, October 5, 2008

2. Looking North - - Railroad Tracks Yet Exist

. (Courtesy: Genealogy Sleuth) The grand-daughter, Cheryl Rothwell retells the eyewitness story of the events of September 29, 1910 great "Plane Train Race" at Mt. Pulaski as seen (a photo included) by grand-mother, Ethel Ryan Downing. (Submitted on February 1, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)

Full View of Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Al Wolf, October 5, 2008

3. Full View of Marker

Two items strike me about this location:
1. The Marker seems to be on private property - and - is lovingly well kept, and
2. In all my picture taking this is the first time I was able to capture the American Flag at full extension by the wind. (This must be a blessed place.)

“Brookins Leaving Mt. Pulask Ill. in Wright Biplane” image. Click for full size.

unknown photographer. It appears to be an uncredited mass-printed postcard via logancoil-genhist.org, September 29, 1910

4. “Brookins Leaving Mt. Pulask Ill. in Wright Biplane”

Notice the crowd lining the field in the distance.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 3,360 times since then and 73 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week September 29, 2019. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 10, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 4. submitted on September 29, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.