Athens in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
First Flight in Georgia
Site of Ben Epps' Garage
Photographed By David Seibert, July 13, 2008
1. First Flight in Georgia Marker
Inscription.
First Flight in Georgia. Site of Ben Epps' Garage. Georgia’s pioneer aviator, Benjamin Thomas Epps, was born in Oconee County in 1888. He opened Athens’ first automobile repair garage at this location on East Washington Street in 1907. That same year, nineteen-year-old Epps designed and built his first airplane here – a monoplane with an upright buggy seat, bicycle wheels, and a 35-foot wingspan powered by a fifteen-horsepower French Anzani engine. Its successful flight earned him recognition as the father of Georgia aviation. Epps tested his aircraft and operated a flying service at what is now Athens-Ben Epps Airport. He died of injuries suffered in a plane crash in 1937 at the age of forty-nine.
Georgia’s pioneer aviator, Benjamin Thomas Epps, was born in Oconee County in 1888. He opened Athens’ first automobile repair garage at this location on East Washington Street in 1907. That same year, nineteen-year-old Epps designed and built his first airplane here – a monoplane with an upright buggy seat, bicycle wheels, and a 35-foot wingspan powered by a fifteen-horsepower French Anzani engine. Its successful flight earned him recognition as the father of Georgia aviation. Epps tested his aircraft and operated a flying service at what is now Athens-Ben Epps Airport. He died of injuries suffered in a plane crash in 1937 at the age of forty-nine.
Erected 2007 by Georgia Historical Society, Athens-Clarke County Government Aviation Hall of Fame, and the Epps Cousins Club. (Marker Number 29-5.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.
Location. 33° 57.533′ N, 83° 22.617′ W. Marker is in Athens, Georgia, in Athens-Clarke County. Marker is on E. Washington Street, 0 miles east of North Lumpkin Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 E Washington Street, Athens GA 30601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Another marker about Ben Epps.
Photographed By David Seibert, May 30, 2009
2. First Flight in Georgia Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,504 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on September 25, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on May 31, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
