Chanute in Neosho County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Octave Chanute and "The Problem of The Ages"
Chanute - Wright Memorial
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 11, 2011
1. Octave Chanute and "The Problem of The Ages" Marker
Mr. Chanute moved to Chicago in 1889 and began working on solving "the problem of the ages" - heavier-than-air flight.
Chanute corresponded with men all over the world interested in flight. He gathered all the information he could find, looking into records of experiments going back 300 years.
He devoted his full time to flight until his death.
Erected 2003.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Education • Exploration • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 37° 40.874′ N, 95° 27.182′ W. Marker is in Chanute, Kansas, in Neosho County. It can be reached from West Main Street. Marker is along the south walking path at the Chanute-Wright Memorial, near Main Street and the former railroad grade crossing. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chanute KS 66720, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Octave Chanute and the Founding of the Town of Chanute (a few steps from this marker); Octave Chanute's Progress in Flying Machines (within shouting distance of this marker); Chanute Announces Wright Brothers' Flight (within shouting distance of this marker); Thoughts on a Successful Flying Machine
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Octave Chanute. National Perk Service website entry (Submitted on April 14, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Flights Before the Wrights: Octave Chanute. (Submitted on July 8, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. City of Chanute, Kansas Official Website. (Submitted on July 8, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
via NPS, unknown
2. Octave Chanute
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 11, 2011
3. Octave Chanute and "The Problem of The Ages" Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 571 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 8, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 2. submitted on April 14, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on July 8, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
