Near Kitty Hawk in Dare County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Jockey's Ridge

National Landmark of Soaring

courtesy National Soaring Museum

1. Jockey's Ridge Marker

Inscription. The steady winds and gently sloping dunes of soft sand on North Carolina's Outer Banks have been attracting soaring pilots since the early 20th century. The Wright brothers flew many pioneering glider flights at Kitty Hawk between 1900 and 1903 with Orville Wright returning to set a 9 minute 45 second soaring record there in 1911. The area again achieved soaring fame when Francis Rogallo and others introduced hang gliding in the 1970s. These same coastal winds and dunes continue to bring pilots from around the world to soar Jockey's Ridge today.

Erected 2011 by the National Soaring Museum, the Foundation for Free Flight, the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, and The Rogallo Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 35° 57.831′ N, 75° 37.913′ W. Marker is near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in Dare County. It can be reached from Carolista Drive 0.3 miles west of South Croatan Highway (U.S. 158). Located at Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding School in Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Touch for map.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Marker is at or near this postal address: 302 Carolista Dr, Nags Head NC 27959, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Outer Banks.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A Natural Wind Laboratory (here, next to this marker); Jockey’s Ridge State Park (within shouting distance of this marker); About the Park (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Carolista Baum (approx. 0.2 miles away); Francis & Gertrude Rogallo (approx. half a mile away); Wreck of the U.S.S. Huron (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Mystery Wreck (approx. 2.3

courtesy Kitty Hawk Kites

2. Jockey's Ridge Marker

miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.3 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Wreck of the Huron (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding School. (Submitted on September 13, 2020.)

Hang Gliding Lesson at Jockey's Ridge image. Click for full size.

courtesy Kitty Hawk Kites

3. Hang Gliding Lesson at Jockey's Ridge

1902 Wright Glider Replica image. Click for full size.

courtesy Kitty Hawk Kites

4. 1902 Wright Glider Replica

Available for the public to fly, at Kitty Hawk Kites.

1970’s Hang Glider image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, 1980

5. 1970’s Hang Glider

This 1978 Seahawk model, manufactured by Seagull Aircraft in Santa Monica, has the standard factory colors. It was a popular training glider at Jockey’s Ridge. This one is being flown by contributor Craig Baker.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 605 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 13, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.