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Governors Island in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

The Early Birds

 
 
The Early Birds Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C., July 18, 2009
1. The Early Birds Marker
Inscription. Early aviation history was made here when these pioneers flew powered aircraft to and from this site between 1909—1916.

Wilbur Wright • Lincoln Beachy • Glenn H. Curtiss • Eugene Ely • Charles K. Hamilton • Hugh A. Robinson • Harry N. Atwood • James J. Ward • Harry M. Jones • Albert S. Heinrich • Harold Kanther • Victor Carlstrom • Steve MacGordon • Raynal C. Bolling • Ruth B. Law

From May 1916 to March 1917, members of the Governors Island Training Corps flight trained here.

Captain Philip A. Carroll—Commanding
Filip A. Bjorklund—Instructor

Charles Reed • Lawrence Sperry • J. Walter Struthers • Hobart A. H. Baker • William A. Aarned • Al Sturtevant • Frederick T. Blakeman • Edwin M. Post, Jr. • Stedman S. Hanks • William Walton • Cord Meyer • Albert B. Gaines, Jr. • Charles D. Wiman • Howard G. Lapsley • James E. Miller • John M. L. Rutherford • Seth Low

Major General Leonard Wood, U.S.A.—Commanding
Headquarters, Eastern Department

Erected under the auspices of the Early Birds, an organization of those who flew solo before December 17, 1916.
 
Erected by the Early Birds.
 
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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & SpaceNotable Events. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1917.
 
Location. 40° 41.35′ N, 74° 1.167′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is on Governors Island. It is on Early Bird Road near Main Street. Monument is on Govenors Island, New York. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10004, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. 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 New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Flight on Governors Island (here, next to this marker); Demolition on South Island (a few steps from this marker); Liggett Hall (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Clayton Road (about 400 feet away); Division Road (about 400 feet away);
The Early Birds Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
2. The Early Birds Marker
Slate Roofs on Colonels Row (about 500 feet away); Polo on Governors Island (about 500 feet away); Purchase of Governors Island Monument (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
 
The Early Birds Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
3. The Early Birds Marker
The propeller on the front of the monument was cast directly from a mold made from one of the Wright Brothers' wooden propellers.
The Early Birds Marker - Propeller Plaque image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C., July 18, 2009
4. The Early Birds Marker - Propeller Plaque
This bronze propeller was cast directly from one of the Wright Brothers' wooden propellers. Two were used to propel the first United States Military Aeroplane, a 1909 Wright. The original was loaned to the Early Birds by the Smithsonial Institution, National Air Museum - Paul E. Garber, Head Curator.
The Early Birds Insignia image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C., July 18, 2009
5. The Early Birds Insignia
Early Birds Marker (Profile) image. Click for full size.
Photographed by R. C.
6. Early Birds Marker (Profile)
The Early Birds Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Dan, September 27, 2024
7. The Early Birds Marker
The Early Birds Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Dan, September 27, 2024
8. The Early Birds Marker
The Early Birds Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Dan Newell, September 27, 2024
9. The Early Birds Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2009, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,725 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 20, 2009, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas.   7, 8, 9. submitted on September 27, 2024, by Dan of Bronx, New York. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
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Jul. 9, 2026