Kill Devil Hills in Dare County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Remembering First Flight

Wright Brothers National Memorial

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

Remembering First Flight Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 13, 2025

1. Remembering First Flight Marker

Inscription.
Since its dedication in 1932, the Wright Brothers Monument dominated the undeveloped Outer Banks. Its towering presence atop the Big Kill Devil Hill highlights the desire to remember and honor the Wright brothers' successful powered flights on December 17, 1903. Designed in the shape of a propeller, this historic landmark also honors the legacy of their achievement as it ushered in an unprecedented wave of human ingenuity.

Nearly every year since, the local community, visitors, and aviation supporters have gathered on these grounds each December 17 to honor the genius and achievement of the Wright brothers and acknowledge the support they received from the curious native Outer Bankers.

This exhibit was provided by Outer Banks Forever who, along with The Town of Kill Devil Hills and the Outer Banks Tourism Bureau, supported the completion of the sidewalk in front of Wright Brothers National Memorial.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Landmarks • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is December 17, 1903.

Location. 36° 1.223′ N,

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75° 39.914′ W. Marker is in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, in Dare County. It is at the intersection of North Croatan Highway (U.S. 158) and Wright Memorial, on the right when traveling south on North Croatan Highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1105 North Croatoan Highway, Kill Devil Hills NC 27948, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Outer Banks.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

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 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 walking distance of this marker: From Ohio to the Outer Banks (within shouting distance of this marker); Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center (about 700 feet

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 13, 2025

2. Remembering First Flight Marker

away, measured in a direct line); They Taught Us to Fly (about 700 feet away); Wright Brothers (about 800 feet away); Wind, Sand, & Isolation (approx. 0.2 miles away); The First Flight (approx. 0.2 miles away); Field for Flight (approx. 0.2 miles away); Four Powered Flights (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kill Devil Hills.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 149 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 21, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.