Hadley Township in University City in St. Louis County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Aeronautic Concourse of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition
AIAA Historic Aerospace Site
Photographed by Craig Baker, May 2, 2025
1. Aeronautic Concourse Marker
The world's first flying competition was organized and conducted on this site during the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (popularly known as the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair). Aviators and aeronauts came here from around the world to participate in events held on the Aeronautic Concourse, roughly 14 acres leased from Washington University. These aeronautics events constituted some of the highlights of the fair.
Erected 2004 by American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. In addition, it is included in the AIAA Historic Aerospace Sites series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.
Location. 38° 38.952′ N, 90° 18.578′ W. Marker is in University City, Missouri, in St. Louis County. It is in Hadley Township. It can be reached from Throop Drive east of Big Bend Boulevard, on the right when traveling east. Located in Washington University on the south-facing wall of McMillan Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 29 Pink St, Saint Louis MO 63105, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Francis Olympic Field (approx. 0.2 miles away); 100th Anniversary of Kappa Sigma at Washington University (approx. Ό mile away); Francis Field and Gymnasium (approx. Ό mile away); William Greenleaf Eliot (approx. half a mile away); Michael McDonald (approx. half a mile away); Marsha Mason (approx. half a mile away); Ed Macauley (approx. half a mile away); Paul C. Reinert, S.J. (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in University City.
Regarding The Aeronautic Concourse of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. To publicize developments in the newly evolving realm of aeronautics,
Photographed by Craig Baker, May 2, 2025
2. Aeronautic Concourse Marker
To accommodate the aerial events, a fenced aeronautic concourse was established on the exposition grounds, leased from Washington University. The field was west of todays Olin Library, extending to the Field House. Numerous flights were made by various airships, including Tom Baldwins California Arrow, Americas first successful dirigible.
The Wright brothers, who had made their flights at Kitty Hawk only months earlier, did not participate, having concluded that the performance required in the grand prize contest was unachievable.
The aeronautical activities were the highlight of the fair the first time in history that a mass flying contest had been organized and conducted.
Also see . . . List of AIAA Historic Aerospace Sites. 58 plaques were dedicated by AIAA between 2000 and 2013, and they began dedicating new plaques again in 2025. (Submitted on May 1, 2025.)
Photographed by Craig Baker, May 2, 2025
3. Aeronautic Concourse Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker, May 2, 2025
4. McMillan Hall - Erected 1906
Photographed by Craig Baker, May 2, 2025
5. Aeronautic Concourse Location
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 292 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 30, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4. submitted on May 2, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on April 30, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
