Rothschild in Marathon County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Wisconsin's First Home-Built Flying Machine

Photographed by Keith L, June 8, 2008

1. Wisconsin's First Home-Built Flying Machine Marker

Inscription. On June 23, 1911, near this location, Wausau native John Schwister became a pioneer of Wisconsin aviation. Research indicates that on this date Schwister flew the state's first home-built airplane capable of sustained, powered flight. Constructed of wooden ribs covered with light cotton cloth and powered by an early-model aircraft engine, Schwister's biplane flew for several hundred feet at a maximum altitude of twenty feet. Calling his plane the Minnesota-Badger, Schwister began the design and construction of his "flying machine" in St. Paul, Minnesota, but finished it in Rothschild, Wisconsin. Initially, Schwister flight-tested his biplane as a glider, towing it behind an automobile like a kite. He also built his own airplane hangar here. Schwister made many flights in 1911, including a 27-mile flight in which he soared to 2,000 feet, higher than nearby Rib Mountain. In 1912, Schwister was seriously injured in a plane crash, yet he continued to construct and fly his own airplanes making him Wisconsin's first successful "home-builder."

Erected 1998 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 385.)

Topics and series.

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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1862.

Location. 44° 54.097′ N, 89° 36.878′ W. Marker is in Rothschild, Wisconsin, in Marathon County. It is on Kort Street west of West Grand Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Marker is at the north edge of Rothschild Park, between West Grand Avenue and Park Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rothschild WI 54474, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fallen Soldiers Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Pine Grove Cemetery G.A.R. Memorial (approx. 2.6

Photographed by Keith L, June 8, 2008

2. Wisconsin's First Home-Built Flying Machine Marker

miles away); Historical Memorial Park (approx. 2.8 miles away); Welcome to the Mountain-Bay State Trail (approx. 3.1 miles away); Over the Hills and through the Woods... (approx. 3.3 miles away); The Pineries (approx. 3.6 miles away); Cutler Post Monument (approx. 3.9 miles away); World War I Guardian Angel Monument (approx. 3.9 miles away).

Also see . . . John Schwister. Born: 12/07/1882; Died: 02/07/1927 (Submitted on March 8, 2008.)

Photographed by Keith L, March 8, 2008

3. Wisconsin's First Home-Built Flying Machine Marker

Photographed by Joel Seewald, May 30, 2017

4. Wisconsin's First Home-Built Flying Machine Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,797 times since then and 90 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 15, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on March 8, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on July 4, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.