Oakland Airport in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Australian Aviators

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, March 24, 2023

1. Australian Aviators Marker

Inscription.
To the memory of the Australian aviators Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith and Captain Charles T. P. Ulm.
This plaque is dedicated by the Board of Port Commissioners of the City of Oakland as a permanent tribute to the courage and foresight of these gallant airmen.
Their aeronautical exploits – starting in 1928 with the pioneering flight of the Southern Cross from Oakland to Australia and thence continued around the globe by Kingsford-Smith to complete at Oakland the aerial circumnavigation of the world – contributed greatly to the progress of aviation and demonstrated the practicability of regular transoceanic air service.

Erected by Port Commissioners of the City of Oakland.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 37° 43.632′ N, 122° 12.302′ W. Marker is in Oakland, California, in Alameda County. It is in Oakland Airport. It is on Earhart Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9255 Earhart Road, Oakland CA 94621, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: First Successful Non-stop Trans-Pacific Air Flight (here, next to this marker); Hawker Siddeley TAV-8A HARRIER (approx.

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0.6 miles away); Amelia Mary Earhart (approx. 0.6 miles away); Veterans Memorial Park (approx. 2.2 miles away); Lest We Forget (approx. 2.2 miles away); San Leandro Depot (approx. 2.2 miles away); Still on Patrol (approx. 2.3 miles away); Peralta Home – Alta Mira Club (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oakland.

Another marker is no longer nearby. San Leandro Oyster Beds (was approx. 2.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. Kingsford Smith, Sir Charles Edward - Australian Dictionary of Biography. His contribution to civil aviation was an effort of faith and stamina and places him among the world's notable pioneers. Lean, with 'cool blue eyes', generous mouth and terse manner, he is featured on the Australian $20 note. Sydney's airport is named after him and there is a memorial to him, Taylor and Ulm at Anderson Park, Sydney. The Southern Cross is on view at Brisbane airport. (Submitted on January 10, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

2. Southern Cross (aircraft) - Wikipedia. Southern Cross is the name
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 9, 2014

2. Australian Aviators Marker
of the Fokker F.VIIb/3m trimotor monoplane which in 1928 was flown by Australian aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and his crew in the first ever trans-Pacific flight to Australia from the mainland United States, about 7,250 miles (11,670 km). (Submitted on January 10, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 9, 2014

3. Australian Aviators Marker

The marker is on the right.

Business Jet Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 9, 2014

4. Business Jet Center

This building was the original terminal at Oakland Municipal Airport.

Historic Terminal Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, September 24, 2021

5. Historic Terminal Building

Charles T.P. Ulm and Charles E. Kingsford-Smith image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown, circa 1928

6. Charles T.P. Ulm and Charles E. Kingsford-Smith

The "Southern Cross" takes off from Oakland, Cal. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown, May 31, 1928

7. The "Southern Cross" takes off from Oakland, Cal.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 730 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 3, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 10, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 5. submitted on September 25, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6, 7. submitted on January 10, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.