Brea in Orange County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Humming Bird

Photographed by Adam Margolis, June 5, 2022

1. The Humming Bird Marker

Inscription. Approximately 50 feet south of this spot in February 1928, the first full-cantilever, low-wing monoplane was built in the United States. Named the "Humming Bird", this tiny plane was designed and built by young Austrian immigrant Fred Thaheld and financed and co-built by garage owner and former race car driver William D. Tremaine.

Weighing just 250 lbs., it was 15 ft. in length, had a wingspan of 21 ft. and was powered by a 3-cylinder engine designed for a top speed of 92 M.P.H.

On the afternoon of April 24, 1926, despite a series of successful test flights, the humming bird crashed due to structural failure during an air meet at the Brea Airport, killing 21-year-old pilot Ray Freeman.

Thaheld and Tremaine, however, went on the following year to construct two larger low-wing monoplanes here in Brea, one of which was to compete in the famous 1927 Dole race from Oakland to Honolulu.

A short time later, Thaheld moved to Dallas, Texas, and turned his efforts to designing diesel engines for aircraft and military tanks. Currently, two of these engines are on display at the Smithsonian.

in 1925, Tremain became

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Brea's constable and held that position until his retirement in 1942.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1928.

Location. 33° 55.247′ N, 117° 53.872′ W. Marker is in Brea, California, in Orange County. It is on Brea Boulevard 0.3 miles north of Imperial Highway, on the right when traveling north. Located in front of Fire Station No. 2. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 192 N Brea Blvd, Brea CA 92821, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Old City Hall (approx. half a mile away); Richard Nixon in City Hall Park (approx. half a mile away); Many a Child (approx.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, June 5, 2022

2. The Humming Bird Marker

The marker is in the landscaping.

half a mile away); Brea Plunge (approx. half a mile away); Ralph E. Barnes Bandstand (approx. half a mile away); City Hall Park (approx. 0.6 miles away); Brea Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Brea American Legion Building (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brea.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 617 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 9, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.