Near Dayton in Greene County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The First Airport
Huffman Prairie Flying Field
— Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park —
In 1904, the Wrights knew they had to coax more from their brainchild than their 59-second straight-line hop at Kitty Hawk. For aviation to take its next steps, they needed a convenient, private place - a flying field - closer to home.
It took eighteen months of bumps, crashes and creative problem solving here to learn how to safely launch, land, turn, and bank. By the end of 1905, the Wrights had a flying machine that was no longer a balky mechanical toddler, but a graceful, fully functional creature of the air.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.
Location. 39° 48.417′ N, 84° 3.767′ W. Marker is near Dayton, Ohio, in Greene County. Marker is on Marl Road, 1˝ miles north of Springfield Street (Ohio Route 444), on the right when traveling north. Visit the Interpretive Center first to get driving directions. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dayton OH 45433, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Huffman Prairie Flying Field (a few steps from this marker); Trials in an Old Swamp (within shouting distance of this marker); Flying Field to Air Force Base (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Huffman Prairie Flying Field (within shouting distance of this marker); Commuter Flyers (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Birthplace of Flight (about 400 feet away); Miss that Tree! (approx. 0.2 miles away); Follow the Flight Path (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 581 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on April 22, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on April 22, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 13, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.