Willoughby Spit in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Birthplace of Naval Aviation

Photographed by Kevin W., July 21, 2010

1. Birthplace of Naval Aviation Marker

Inscription. On Nov. 14, 1910, man proved that planes could fly from ships when a Curtiss Bi-Plan piloted by E. B. Ely took off from the deck of the cruiser U.S.S. Birhingham, at anchor off Old Point Comfort, flew two miles to Willoughby Spit and landed on the beach near here.

Erected by the City of Norfolk.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Notable Events. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1893.

Location. 36° 58.026′ N, 76° 17.537′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Willoughby Spit. It is at the intersection of West Ocean View Avenue (Virginia Route 168) and Rallston Street, in the median on West Ocean View Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norfolk VA 23503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Battle, Monitor and Merrimack (approx. 0.2 miles away); We remember turret two ... (approx. 1.4 miles away); Virginia and Monitor (approx. 1.4 miles away); Naval Air Station Norfolk (approx. 1.4 miles away); Fort Wool (approx. 1.4 miles away); USS Cole (DDG 67) Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); a different marker also

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named Fort Wool (approx. 1½ miles away); USS Cole DDG 67 (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Photographed by Kevin W., July 21, 2010

2. Birthplace of Naval Aviation Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2010, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,044 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 27, 2010, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.