Williamsburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

First Balloon Flight in Virginia

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 7, 2009

1. First Balloon Flight in Virginia Marker

Inscription. On May 7, 1801, J. S. Watson, a student at William and Mary, wrote a letter detailing attempts at flying hot air balloons on the Court House Green. The third balloon, decorated with sixteen stars, one for each of the existing states, and fueled with spirits of wine, was successful. Watson wrote, "I never saw so great and so universal delight as it gave to the spectators." This is the earliest recorded evidence of aeronautics in the Commonwealth.

Erected 1991 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-40.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1942.

Location. 37° 16.437′ N, 76° 42.791′ W. Marker is in Williamsburg, Virginia. It is at the intersection of Richmond Road and Stadium Drive, on the right when traveling east on Richmond Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Williamsburg VA 23186, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

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 walking distance of this marker: Arthur Azo Matsu (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First Baptist Church (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named First Baptist Church (about

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700 feet away); MLK Triangle (approx. 0.2 miles away); College Camp (approx. ¼ mile away); Bicentennial Washington (approx. 0.3 miles away); Alumni of the College of William and Mary (approx. 0.3 miles away); Priorities of the College of William and Mary (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.

Also see . . .
1. Flying thro’ the Air. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Submitted on November 14, 2021.)

2. College of William & Mary. (Submitted on November 14, 2021.)

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 7, 2009

2. First Balloon Flight in Virginia Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,677 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 7, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.