Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Fly To-Day

The Greatest Sport of All

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 30, 2020

1. Fly To-Day Marker

Inscription. On this site, from 1916 to 1921, some of the finest airplanes in early American aviation were built. John K. Northrup, a 1919 Santa Barbara High School graduate, joined with Allan and Malcolm Loughead (later known as Lockheed) to build the largest seaplane of its era, the 10 passenger F-1. These early planes were mostly constructed with wood and Irish linen.

They also created a sleek sports plane with an aerodynamic designed laminated wooden fuselage. The concept of "lamination” was to forever change how planes were designed.

Although they were leading innovators in their field, business success eluded them. They closed shop in Santa Barbara in 1921.

Hand-painted tile by S.H. Dunbar www.dunbarstudios.com

Erected 2012 by Native Sons of the Golden West Santa Barbara Parlor No. 116.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 28, 1918.

Location. 34° 24.785′ N, 119° 41.444′ W. Marker is in Santa Barbara, California, in Santa Barbara County. Marker is at the intersection of State Street and West Mason Avenue, on the right when traveling south on State Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 State Street, Santa Barbara CA 93101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Burton’s Mound (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Santa Barbara Railroad Station (about

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600 feet away); Santa Barbara's First People (about 700 feet away); Santa Barbara Veterans' Memorial Building (about 800 feet away); Burton Mound (approx. 0.2 miles away); Private Railcar Spurs (approx. 0.2 miles away); Moreton Bay Fig Tree (approx. 0.2 miles away); El Capitán Portolá (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Barbara.

Also see . . . Loughead F-1 (Wikipedia). "The Loughead F-1 "Flying-boat One" was an early American ten-passenger biplane flying boat made by the Loughead brothers' new company the Loughead Aircraft Manufacturing Company, the forerunner to Lockheed....The F-1 first flew from Santa Barbara Bay on 28 March 1918. Allan Loughead and a crew of three flew it from Santa Barbara to San Diego in April 1918, setting a record of 181 minutes for the 211-mile flight...." (Submitted on December 1, 2020.)

Fly To-Day Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 30, 2020

2. Fly To-Day Marker - wide view

Fly To-Day Marker - closeup of artwork showing an F-1 over the coast image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 30, 2020

3. Fly To-Day Marker - closeup of artwork showing an F-1 over the coast

Lockheed F-1 image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of the San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives (via Flickr), 1918

4. Lockheed F-1

Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 191 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 1, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.