Near Dayton in Greene County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Trials in an Old Swamp

Huffman Prairie Flying Field

— Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park —

Trials in an Old Swamp Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 19, 2013

1. Trials in an Old Swamp Marker

Inscription. We are in a large meadow of about 100 acres…skirted on the west and north by trees…Also the ground is an old swamp and is filled with grassy hummocks some six inches high so that it resembles a prairie dog town. This makes tracklaying slow work.
Wilbur Wright to Octave Chanute, June 24, 1904

Before settlers began to farm the Dayton area in the early 1800s, this flood plain was covered by tall-grass prairie. In the fields to the left of the flying field you see 109 acres of Huffman Prairie, the largest natural prairie remnant found in Ohio.

The Nature Conservancy works with the Air Force to remove non-native plants and reseed tall-grass prairie species on the site.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical date for this entry is June 24, 1904.

Location. 39° 48.4′ N, 84° 3.75′ W. Marker is near Dayton, Ohio, in Greene County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Marl Road and Symmes Road, on the right when traveling east. Located along the walking path south of Marl Road. Visit the Interpretive Center first to get driving directions. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dayton OH 45433, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Flying Field to Air Force Base (here, next to

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this marker); The First Airport (within shouting distance of this marker); Huffman Prairie Flying Field (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Huffman Prairie Flying Field (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Commuter Flyers (about 500 feet away); Birthplace of Flight (about 500 feet away); Miss that Tree! (about 700 feet away); Follow the Flight Path (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 19, 2013

2. Trials in an Old Swamp Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 476 times since then and 9 times this year. Last updated on April 28, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 13, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.