Montgomery in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

The Wright Brothers Flying School

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 21, 2020

1. The Wright Brothers Flying School Marker

Inscription. On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first controlled, powered, and sustained heavier-than-air human flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Over the next seven years, the brothers continued to develop their flying machine and had several breakthrough inventions, which significantly improved the success of their aircraft. In hopes of retaining a share of the newly emerging aviation market, the brothers formed a touring company to conduct flying exhibitions to promote the sale of their airplanes, train pilots who would fly in exhibitions, and teach buyers how to fly. In February 1910, an acquaintance suggested Wilbur Wright visit Montgomery, Alabama, which he described as having "mild climate and flat farmland". After arriving in Montgomery, Wilbur visited several sites before selecting an old cotton plantation owned by Frank D. Kohn as the site for the Wright Brothers first civilian flying school in the United States. The Commercial Club of Montgomery led the effort to construct a hangar and make improvements to the flying field using donations from local businesses. On March 26, 1910, Orville Wright made

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the first powered airplane flight in Alabama from the newly opened flying school. Walter Brookins and Arch Hoxsey, members of the Wright Brothers' exhibition team, made the first airplane night flight in history from the Wright's Montgomery airfield, which later became Maxwell Air Force Base, home of the Air University.

Erected by the City of Montgomery.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1910.

Location. 32° 22.664′ N, 86° 19.232′ W. Marker is in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. It can be reached from Maxwell Boulevard east of North Holt Street, on the right when traveling west. Located in Wright Brother's Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 544 Maxwell Boulevard, Montgomery AL 36104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Tri-Counties River Region.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Marker is on the left of the two mounted on the brick foundation. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton

2. Marker is on the left of the two mounted on the brick foundation.

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

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Maxwell Air Force Base and the Air University (here, next to this marker); Maxwell Air Force Base/Air University (a few steps from this marker); Native Americans (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Clay Street Missionary Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Unforgettable (approx. ¼ mile away); Alabama River: The Grand Avenue (approx. 0.4 miles away); Dr. King: "How Long?" (approx. 0.4 miles away); Struggle of Racial Injustice (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montgomery.

Also see . . . The Encyclopedia of Alabama article on the Wright Brothers Flying School. (Submitted on March 21, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Wright Brothers replica plane looking north towards the Alabama River. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton

3. Wright Brothers replica plane looking north towards the Alabama River.

Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1905. image. Click for full size.

Public domain, 1905

4. Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1905.

Wright Brothers replica plane builder. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 26, 2020

5. Wright Brothers replica plane builder.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,255 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 21, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 5. submitted on March 27, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.