Tuthill Park in Sioux Falls in Minnehaha County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Birthplace of the Modern Hot Air Balloon

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

May 4, 2022

1. Birthplace of the Modern Hot Air Balloon Marker

Inscription.
Sioux Falls based Raven Industries development team led by Ed Yost, under contract with the United States Navy, worked from 1958 through 1960 to develop a self-powered hot air balloon capable of sustained flight. The first flight conducted on Oct. 22, 1960 marked the beginning of a new era of balloon flight. Over the next decades, the sport of hot air ballooning developed and spread worldwide with Raven leading the way.

Erected by Sioux Falls Ballooning Association/Aerostar.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is October 22, 1960.

Location. 43° 30.751′ N, 96° 42.482′ W. Marker is in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. It is in Tuthill Park. It can be reached from South Cliff Avenue 0.1 miles north of East Otonka Trail, on the right when traveling north. Located in Tuthill Park in Sioux Falls, on the east side of the parking lot on the way to the park restrooms. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3500 S Cliff Ave, Sioux Falls SD 57103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this

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marker is in East River.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: "RISE" and the Big Sioux River (approx. 0.3 miles away); Patrick Henry (approx. one mile away); Sioux Falls (approx. 1.3 miles away); Sioux Falls Municipal Band (approx. 1.4 miles away); Helen Gale McKennan (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Playgrounds & Baseball Field (approx. 1½ miles away); Buffalo Bill (approx. 1½ miles away); The McKennan Park Pond & Wading Pool (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sioux Falls.

Sioux Falls and the Birth of the Modern Hot Air Balloon image. Click for more information.

via SDPB, 1960

2. Sioux Falls and the Birth of the Modern Hot Air Balloon

South Dakota Public Broadcasting website entry
Click for more information.

Birthplace of the Modern Hot Air Balloon Marker, from the west image. Click for full size.

May 4, 2022

3. Birthplace of the Modern Hot Air Balloon Marker, from the west

Birthplace of the Modern Hot Air Balloon Marker, from the east image. Click for full size.

May 4, 2022

4. Birthplace of the Modern Hot Air Balloon Marker, from the east

Credits. This page was last revised on December 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2022. This page has been viewed 567 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 8, 2022. 2. submitted on December 16, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4. submitted on May 8, 2022.