Bellefonte in Centre County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Bellefonte Air Mail Field

By Craig Swain, May 31, 2010

1. Bellefonte Air Mail Field Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The initial stop on the first scheduled west-bound air mail flight was made here by Pilot Leon D. Smith on December 18, 1918. The site for the field was chosen by pioneer aviator Max Miller and was in regular use for air mail until 1925.

Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Communications. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, and the Postal Mail and Philately 📭 series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1866.

Location. 40° 54.835′ N, 77° 45.7′ W. Marker is in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, in Centre County. Marker is at the intersection of Bishop Street (State Highway 550) and School Street, on the right when traveling east on Bishop Street. Located in front of the Bellefonte Area High School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 830 East Bishop Street, Bellefonte PA 16823, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Union Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); James A. "Billboard" Jackson (approx. ¾ mile away); John Montgomery Ward

By Craig Swain, May 31, 2010

2. Bellefonte Air Mail Field Marker

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. ¾ mile away); To All Who Served (approx. 0.8 miles away); Centre County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Centre County Courthouse (approx. 0.8 miles away); Andrew Gregg Curtin (approx. 0.8 miles away); Centre County (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bellefonte.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Photos of the Airfield. From the Fred D. Smith Collection from Bellefonte Historical and Cultural Association. (Submitted on June 22, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Air Mail Pioneers. Web site detailing the work of the early air mail pilots and crew. (Submitted on June 22, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Bellefonte Area High School image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, May 31, 2010

3. Bellefonte Area High School

The school occupies the site of the air mail field.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,139 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 22, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.