North Omaha in Douglas County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Fort Omaha Balloon School
Fort Omaha Walking Tour
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 17, 2012
1. Fort Omaha Balloon School Marker
Until after World War I, no other method equaled a soldier’s ability to send intelligence information directly to the ground by telephone from an observation balloon.
Fort Omaha entered America’s balloon and aviation history in April 1909 when the first free balloon, inflated with hydrogen gas, started a journey with Captain Charles Chandler, pilot, and Lieutenant J. Ware, passenger. They made a good landing in Iowa but lost the bag when a static discharge set it on fire.
The army soon learned successful enemy observation could only be made from a balloon controlled in flight. Therefore, free-flown balloons were discontinued and captive (stationary) balloons were developed. Several captive balloons were tested at the Fort Omaha Balloon School.
Erected by Metropolitan Community College, Historical Society of Douglas County, and Nebraska Committee for the Humanities. (Marker Number 4.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Education • Forts and Castles • War, World I. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1909.
Location. 41° 18.598′ N, 95° 57.506′ W. Marker is in Omaha, Nebraska, in Douglas County. It is in North Omaha. Marker is on North Road, on the
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Observation Balloon Training at Fort Omaha (within shouting distance of this marker); General Crook's Headquarters at Fort Omaha (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Omaha Knights of Columbus Assembly Hall (about 400 feet away); Crook House (about 500 feet away); Quartermaster's Office and Commissary (about 500 feet away); History of Fort Omaha (about 500 feet away); President's House (about 500 feet away); Fort Omaha Guardhouse (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Omaha.
Also see . . .
1. Fort Omaha. (Submitted on August 7, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. U.S. Army Ballooning History. (Submitted on August 7, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 17, 2012
2. Fort Omaha Balloon School Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 17, 2012
3. Fort Omaha Balloon School Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 759 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 7, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
