Marina District in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Lincoln Beachey
March 3, 1887 - March 14, 1915
Lincoln Beachey was born in San Francisco and called the city “home” all his short life. His aerial adventures started at age 18, flying dirigibles. Beachey made the world’s first air mail delivery during an air show in Portland, Oregon, in 1905. At 23 he apprenticed himself to Glenn Curtiss, first as a mechanic, then a pilot. Beachey flew with the Curtiss team for several years. Everyday that he preformed he earned more than the yearly national average income. Beachey retired from flying in 1913 after being held responsible for the deaths of other aviators when they attempted his maneuvers. His retirement ended when he learned that a Frenchman had looped an airplane. He returned to the air in an fully aerobatic Curtis biplane dubbed “Little Looper.” After a successful 1914 national tour, Beachey returned home to fly in the Panama Pacific Exposition. For this event he and his brother Hillery built a new monoplane, “Le Taube.” Preforming for exposition visitors, Beachey took off from the Marina Green on March 14, 1915. Both wings of “Le Taube” failed, folding to the rear, and Breachey dived into the bay near this spot. The father of aerobatics was gone at age 28.
Erected 1998 by E Clampus Vitus, Yerba Buena Chapter No. 1.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 14, 1915.
Location. 37° 48.398′ N, 122° 26.909′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in the Marina District. Marker is on Yacht Road near Old Mason Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3699 Yacht Road, San Francisco CA 94123, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Save the Palace (approx. ¼ mile away); The PPIE Experience (approx. ¼ mile away); Homeland of the Yelamu (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bernard Maybeck (1862-1957) (approx. 0.3 miles away); A City Undaunted (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Palace Lagoon (approx. 0.3 miles away); Wetlands Renaissance (approx. 0.3 miles away); Marina Air Field (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.
Also see . . .
1. Lincoln Beachey : Dare Devil/Promoter. The National Aviation Hall of Fame website entry (Submitted on November 8, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Ceremony marks stunt pilot Lincoln Beachey’s death 100 years ago. SF Gate website entry:
On March 14, 1915, Lincoln Beachey, the most daring airplane pilot of his day, crashed into San Francisco Bay off Fort Mason after the wings of his new stunt plane folded. (Submitted on March 15, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
3. Lincoln Beachey and Barney Oldfield Race - Youtube. This is a 3-minute video clip. (Submitted on March 15, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 585 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 15, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.