Port Clinton in Ottawa County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

World's Shortest Airline

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 21, 2021

1. World's Shortest Airline Marker

Inscription. In 1936, Milton Hersberger, an early barnstormer and accomplished aviator, purchased the first Ford Tri-Motor to be used for air service to the nearby Lake Erie Islands. Affectionately known as the "Tin Goose," the legendary all-metal Ford Tri-Motor was a true workhorse that played a vital role in hauling passengers, mail, and cargo to and from the islands. Pushing a top speed of 85 mph, the complete 17 mile roundtrip from Port Clinton consisted of 12 take-offs and landings and took less than 45 minutes. The airline earned its reputation as "The Shortest Airline in the World" averaging a trip of less than 10 minutes between each stop.

Erected 2008 by EAA "Tin Goose" Chapter 1247 and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 16-62.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.

Location. 41° 30.57′ N, 82° 52.214′ W. Marker is in Port Clinton, Ohio, in Ottawa County. It can be reached from the intersection of East State Road

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(County Road 8) and Gypsum Road, on the right when traveling west. The marker stands in a small open area just behind the first main building on the west side of the airport. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3255 East State Road, Port Clinton OH 43452, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Lake Erie Shore

and in the Toledo Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Call to Duty Salute (approx. ¾ mile away); a different marker also named Call to Duty Salute (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Call to Duty Salute (approx. 0.9 miles away); Australovenator (approx. 1.3 miles away);

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 21, 2021

2. World's Shortest Airline Marker

Dilophosaurus (approx. 1.3 miles away); Dromaeosaurus (approx. 1.3 miles away); Angustinaripterus (approx. 1.3 miles away); Pygmy (Mini) Goat (approx. 2 miles away).

World's Shortest Airline image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 21, 2021

3. World's Shortest Airline

Located at Erie-Ottawa International Airport at Carl R Keller Field

Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 532 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 22, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.