Abilene in Taylor County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Lindbergh in West Texas
(September 26, 1927)
Photographed By Chris English, April 9, 2011
1. Lindbergh in West Texas Marker
Four months after his record-setting trans-Atlantic solo flight, Charles Augustus Lindbergh (1902-1974) landed here for one hour and thirty-six minutes during a nationwide publicity tour. Touching down at Kingsolving Field (now the site of Abilene Zoo) after an almost nine-hour flight from Santa Fe, "Lucky Lindy" was given a hero's welcome by thousands of West Texans. His famous Ryan Monoplane, "Spirit of St. Louis," was taxied into a fenced area and surrounded by National Guard Troops for protection. An escort plane landed later.Heading a parade into Abilene were seventy-one mayors and countless officials. Lindbergh was escorted by Mrs. Mildred Moody (1897-1983), wife of Governor Dan Moody and an Abilene native; Mayor Thomas Edward Hayden (1891-1949); and Chamber of Commerce president Charles William Bacon (1871-1947). The young pilot reportedly balked at a "throne" rigged for him in an open Nash automobile, and rode with Mrs. Moody through the town to Federal lawn.
Lindbergh delivered a brief speech over loud speakers praising the ideal terrain and weather in Texas for developing civil and military aviation. He was
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Erected 1986 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3085.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Heroes • Notable Events.
Location. 32° 24.709′ N, 99° 40.799′ W. Marker is in Abilene, Texas, in Taylor County. Marker is on Airport Boulevard, 0.7 miles south of Texas Highway 36, on the right. Located at the escalator for entering the upper deck of the Abilene Regional Airport. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2933 Airport Boulevard, Abilene TX 79602, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Texas 36th Division Memorial Highway (approx. half a mile away); The 'Real' Camp Barkeley (approx. 1.9 miles away); Judge Walter R. Ely (approx. 2.4 miles away); Abilene State School (approx. 2.7 miles away); Parramore Post #57, American Legion (approx. 3 miles away); Eugenia Pickard (approx. 3˝ miles away); Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (approx. 3.7 miles away); First Exploratory Oil Well in Taylor County (approx. 3.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abilene.
Photographed By Chris English, April 9, 2011
2. Lindbergh in West Texas Marker
Marker in relation to the airport escalator.
Also see . . .
1. Charles Lindbergh, An American Aviator Web Page. The stop at Abilene is logged and recorded on this comprehensive Lindbergh web page. (Submitted on January 9, 2013, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona.)
2. The Abilene Stop was Part of the Guggenheim Tour. The tour promoted aviation in the USA. (Submitted on January 9, 2013, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona.)
Photographed By Chris English, April 9, 2011
3. Lindbergh in West Texas Marker
View East of the Lindbergh in West Texas Marker.
Photographed By Chris English, April 9, 2011
4. Lindbergh in West Texas Marker
View West of the Lindbergh in West Texas Marker. On the lawn, "Born to be Free" a welded metal sculpture by Doug Graves.
Photographed By Chris English, April 9, 2011
5. Lindbergh in West Texas Marker
View South of the Lindbergh in West Texas Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2013, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. This page has been viewed 944 times since then and 128 times this year. Last updated on January 11, 2013, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 9, 2013, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
