West Carrollton in Montgomery County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Wright Seaplane Base
Dayton Aviation Heritage Aviation Trail Site
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009
1. Wright Seaplane Base Marker
Here on the Miami River in 1913, Orville Wright made the first successful takeoff and landing from water in a Wright Model C airplane fitted with a pontoon. Rivers and lakes could provide no-cost runways for seaplanes, unimpeded by such obstacles as power lines, bridges, buildings, or roads. This stretch of river bends 90 degrees, enabling pilots to take off or land into the wind from nearly any direction.
[Photo caption]
Orville Wright makes adjustments to an early model seaplane flown here from the Miami River in 1913.
Other Aviation Trail Sites
The complete Aviation Trail includes about 45 sites that highlight Dayton and the Miami River valley's significant contributions to the invention of flight and the aviation industry.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 39° 40.952′ N, 84° 13.847′ W. Marker was in West Carrollton, Ohio, in Montgomery County. It could be reached from
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in Ohio’s Dayton Metro and in the Miami Valley. It was also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Wright Model G Seaplane (here, next to this marker); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans of Foreign Wars Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away); Veterans of Foreign Wars Hammond Memorial Post 3438
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009
2. Wright Seaplane Base Marker
Looking north along the Great Miami River and recreational trail, with the Main Street Bridge in the background.
Also see . . .
1. Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park. Nation Park Service website entry (Submitted on March 25, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. National Aviation Heritage Area. Website homepage (Submitted on March 25, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Additional commentary.
1. No Longer Here
This marker, is no longer located here at this placement.
— Submitted March 3, 2015, by Douglas Williams of Dayton, Ohio.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009
3. View South from Wright Seaplane Base Marker
Looking along trail toward K-Station and VFW Post 3438.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009
4. K-Station Marker
in honor of
"Mama Kay"
Kathryn Huffman
Mother of news columnist
Dale Huffman
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009
5. K-Station and Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009
6. VFW Post 3438 Past Commanders Marker (Front)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009
7. VFW Post 3438 Past Commanders Marker (Rear)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009
8. VFW Post 3438
Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,482 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on April 5, 2015, by Douglas Williams of Dayton, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on March 25, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
