McCook Field
Cradle of Aviation Innovation
Cradle of Aviation Innovation
Interest in the new field of aeronautics grew dramatically when the United States entered the World War I in 1917. The army chose Dayton as the site for a research-and-development program for military aviation because of the area’s transportation links to major cities and its engineering and testing facilities. McCook Field, north of downtown between Keowee Street and the Great Miami River, was charged with researching, developing, and testing military airplanes and accessories. For nearly a decade, many advancements in aviation occurred at McCook Field. They included new aircraft, controllable-pitch propellers, bulletproof gas tanks, free-fall parachutes, and night-observation cameras. In the 1920s, larger and more-powerful aircraft overwhelmed the small field, which featured a large sign to warn pilots: “This field is small. Use it all.” In 1927, aeronautical engineering was transferred to newly-created Wright Field, now a part of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Side B:
Cradle of Aviation Innovation
Ca. 1917
(Ohio WWI logo)
Erected 2017 by City of Dayton and The Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 27-
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine • War, World I.
Location. 39° 46.451′ N, 84° 11.459′ W. Marker is in Dayton, Ohio, in Montgomery County. It is in McCook Field. Marker is at the intersection of North Bend Blvd and East Helena Street, on the right when traveling south on North Bend Blvd. marker is along the Great Miami River Trail adjacent to Kettering Field. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 444 North Bend Blvd, Dayton OH 45404, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Testing, Testing, Testing (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named McCook Field (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Peace Plaza (approx. half a mile away); Neil Armstrong (approx. half a mile away); John Glenn (approx. half a mile away); Wright-Patterson AFB (approx. half a mile away); Inventing Flight: The Centennial Celebration (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named McCook Field (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2018, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 514 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 18, 2018, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
