Douglas in Coffee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Raymond-Richardson Aviation School

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2009

1. Raymond-Richardson Aviation School Marker

Inscription. Wesley Raymond, Robert Richardson and others founded a school here in 1939 to teach basic flight skills to college students. With the start of World War II, the school became the 63rd Flight Training Detachment Airbase and provided primary flight training for several thousand young men. In addition to working clerical and food preparation jobs, many local women served as civilian base dispatchers and aircraft mechanics. Although officially closed in 1944, the airstrip and hangers have continued in use as a municipal airport and the barracks and administration buildings have seen a wide variety of community uses.

Erected 2000 by The Georgia Historical Society,Wiregrass Historical Society and the City of Douglas. (Marker Number 34-1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.

Location. 31° 28.782′ N, 82° 51.084′ W. Marker is in Douglas, Georgia, in Coffee County. It is on South Peterson Avenue (US 441.US 221,SR 31) near Airport

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Circle, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Douglas GA 31535, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Wiregrass.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 63rd Army Air Forces Contract Pilot School (Primary) (a few steps from this marker); Tri - Hi - Y International (approx. 2 miles away); Martin Theater (approx. 2 miles away); Coffee County (approx. 2 miles away); Tanner Mercantile Company (approx. 2 miles away); a different marker also named Coffee County (approx. 2 miles away); Coffee County Confederate Monument (approx. 2 miles away); a different marker also named

Raymond-Richardson Aviation School Marker looking south along South Peterson Avenue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, November 8, 2009

2. Raymond-Richardson Aviation School Marker looking south along South Peterson Avenue

Tanner Mercantile Company (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Douglas.

Raymond-Richardson Aviation School Marker at the gate to the flight school, as seen today image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, November 8, 2009

3. Raymond-Richardson Aviation School Marker at the gate to the flight school, as seen today

Raymond-Richardson Aviation School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, November 8, 2009

4. Raymond-Richardson Aviation School

Raymond-Richardson Aviation School Marker, looking north image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, November 8, 2009

5. Raymond-Richardson Aviation School Marker, looking north

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,810 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 20, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.