Augusta in Richmond County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Signal Corps Aviation School

1911 - 1913

Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 6, 2010

1. Signal Corps Aviation School Marker

Inscription. On the Barnes farm, south and east of this marker, one of the first military aviation training centers in the U.S. was established in 1911. After successful test flights of the second Wright airplane in 1909, the Wright brothers agreed to the establishment of an Army Aviation School at College Park. Md. The latitude of College Park being unsuitable for winter flying, the War Department chose Augusta for a winter school. Arriving in Augusta November 29, 1911, the College Park School was welcomed by Mayor Thomas Barrett, Jr. in Jan., Wilbur Wright visited the school which returned to Maryland in April 1912. The school was reopened at the Barnes farm Nov. 19, 1912. Due to strained relations with Mexico, all men and equipment were moved to Texas Feb 28, 1913, to become a part of the Second Division. The two days previous to the departure from Augusta were spent preparing for what would have been the first military use of airplanes by the U.S had military operations deveoped. The evacuation in 1913 marked the end of the Augusta school. Amoung the aviators trained at this school were Col. T.D. Milling, Chief of Staff of

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Brig. Gen. William (Billy) Mitchell in World War I, and Gen. Harley (Hap) Arnold, Commander of the U.S. Air Forces in World War II.

Erected 1967 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 121-44.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1912.

Location. 33° 27.821′ N, 81° 56.492′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Georgia, in Richmond County. It is at the intersection of Sand Bar Ferry Road (State Road 28) and Oak Street, on the right when traveling east on Sand Bar Ferry Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Augusta GA 30901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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

Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 6, 2010

2. Signal Corps Aviation School Marker

States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Home of Governor Telfair (approx. half a mile away); Georgia’s First School of Medicine (approx. 0.7 miles away); De L Aigle Brick Yard (approx. 0.8 miles away); Prisoners Of War Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); This Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Troop K Georgia Cavalry (approx. 0.8 miles away); Thankful Baptist Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Bicentennial Augusta, Ga (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. the relationship, Army Aviation School at College Park. Md.

Signal Corps Aviation School Marker, along Sand Bar Ferry Road (State Road 28), at Oak Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 6, 2010

3. Signal Corps Aviation School Marker, along Sand Bar Ferry Road (State Road 28), at Oak Street

Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,121 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 30, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.