DeWitt Township near Lansing in Clinton County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Philip Orin Parmelee
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 7, 2023
1. Philip Orin Parmelee Marker — side 1
Side 1
Philip Orin Parmelee, noted early aviator, lived a tragically brief but venturesome life. Born in 1887 in Matherton, Michigan, Parmelee grew up in nearby St. Johns, Clinton County, where he developed a keen interest in mechanical devices. This led him to join the Ohio flying school run by Orville and Wilbur Wright. After training he went on to become a famous flier for the Wright Exhibition Team. Fascinated with aircraft, Parmelee was the first pilot to transport merchandise, drop live test bombs from a plane, and search from the air for criminals.
Side 2
Nicknamed "Skyman," Parmelee held world endurance, speed, and altitude records, and performed at flying exhibitions. During one such flight on June 1, 1912, in North Yakima, Washington, Parmelee's plane crashed and he was killed, ending a promising career dedicated to the then perilous adventure of flying. He was buried in East Plains Cemetery in Clinton County. By constant experimentation with their primitive planes, Parmelee and other early fliers contributed to a science of aviation which was the forerunner of today's sophisticated and safe air travel.
Erected 1978 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L568.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is
this page online
Location. 42° 46.481′ N, 84° 35.428′ W. Marker is near Lansing, Michigan, in Clinton County. It is in DeWitt Township. Marker is on West Cirlce Drive, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located at the west end of the Capital Region International Airport terminal building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4100 Capital City Boulevard, Lansing MI 48906, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Michigan School for the Blind / Administration Building (approx. 2.3 miles away); Turner-Dodge House (approx. 2˝ miles away); The Woman's Christian Temperance Union Fountain (approx. 2.6 miles away); The Pulver Brothers / The Filling Station (approx. 2.7 miles away); North Presbyterian Church (approx. 2.7 miles away); a different marker also named North Presbyterian Church (approx. 2.7 miles away); First Evangelical Lutheran Church (approx. 2.8 miles away); The Kaplan House (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lansing.
Also see . . .
1. Philip Orin Parmelee. Wikipedia
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 7, 2023
2. Philip Orin Parmelee Marker — side 2
2. Wright Flying School. Wikipedia article (Submitted on September 27, 2023, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 7, 2023
3. Philip Orin Parmelee Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2023, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 70 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 27, 2023, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
