Bladensburg in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

First Unmanned Balloon Ascension (1784)

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 12, 2021

1. First Unmanned Balloon Ascension (1784) Marker

Inscription. On June 17, 1784, the first documented balloon ascension in America took place in a field near the town of Bladensburg. The man responsible for this remarkable event was an enterprising Prince George's County innkeeper and lawyer named Peter Carnes. Carnes conducted the balloon ascension as a public exhibition. It was originally intended to be a tethered, manned ascent, but while the balloon was being brought closer to town for the exhibition, a gust of wind blew the passenger basket against a fence and damaged it severely. Because of this mishap, it was unsafe for anyone to go aloft with the balloon, so a tethered, unmanned balloon ascent took place instead. However, one week later Carnes conducted another public exhibition of his balloon. This time the location was Baltimore, and the tethered balloon was sent aloft with a 13 year-old boy as a passenger.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is June 17, 1784.

Location. 38° 56.131′ N, 76° 56.332′ W. Marker is in Bladensburg, Maryland, in Prince George's County. It can be reached from the intersection of Annapolis Road (Maryland Route 450) and 46th Street. Marker is in Bladensburg Waterfront Park,

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.2 miles south of the entrance at this intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bladensburg MD 20710, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

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 one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Historic Bladensburg Waterfront Park - Port Town History (within shouting distance of this marker); The Incidental Cause of the Star-Spangled Banner (1814) (within shouting distance of this marker); Dinosaur Alley (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of Bladensburg (1814) (within shouting distance of this marker); Duels and the Bladensburg Dueling Grounds (within shouting distance of this marker); Encampment of Coxey's Army (1894) (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonial Ropemaking (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First Telegraph Line (1844) (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bladensburg.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 12, 2021

2. First Unmanned Balloon Ascension (1784) Marker

Bladensburg Balloon Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 18, 2010

3. Bladensburg Balloon Park

The park is located north of the waterfront park, along Baltimore Avenue (US Alternate Highway 1).

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,848 times since then and 79 times this year. Last updated on November 18, 2011, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 12, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on July 18, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.