Near Dayton in Greene County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Trials in an Old Swamp
Huffman Prairie Flying Field
| | Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park | |
Photographed by Don Morfe, July 19, 2013
1. Trials in an Old Swamp Marker
Wilbur Wright to Octave Chanute, June 24, 1904
Before settlers began to farm the Dayton area in the early 1800s, this flood plain was covered by tall-grass prairie. In the fields to the left of the flying field you see 109 acres of Huffman Prairie, the largest natural prairie remnant found in Ohio.
The Nature Conservancy works with the Air Force to remove non-native plants and reseed tall-grass prairie species on the site.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical date for this entry is June 24, 1904.
Location. 39° 48.416′ N, 84° 3.753′ W. Marker is near Dayton, Ohio, in Greene County. It can be reached from the intersection of Marl Road and Symmes Road, on the right when traveling east. Located along the walking path south of Marl Road. Visit the Interpretive Center first to get driving directions.
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Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Miami Valley. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Flying Field to Air Force Base (here, next to this marker); The First Airport (within shouting distance of this marker); Huffman Prairie Flying Field (within shouting distance of this marker); Corner Boundary No. 6 (within shouting distance of this marker); A School for Flyers (within shouting distance of this marker); Later Test Flights (within shouting distance of this marker); Those Daring Young Men (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Huffman Prairie Flying Field (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by Don Morfe, July 19, 2013
2. Trials in an Old Swamp Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 664 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on April 28, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 13, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
