Longwood in Clarke County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Forerunner of Wireless Telegraphy

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 18, 2007

1. Forerunner of Wireless Telegraphy Marker

Inscription. From nearby Bear's Den Mountain to the Catoctin Ridge, a distance of fourteen miles, Dr. Mahlon Loomis, dentist, sent the first arial wireless signals, 1866-73, using kites flown by copper wires. Loomis received a patent in 1872 and his company was chartered by Congress in 1873, but lack of capital frustrated his experiments. He died in 1886.

Erected 1948 by Virginia Conservation Commission. (Marker Number T-11.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 39° 6.983′ N, 77° 50.811′ W. Marker was in Longwood, Virginia, in Clarke County. Marker was at the intersection of Harry Byrd Highway (Virginia Route 7) and Blueridge Mountain Road (Virginia Route 601), on the right when traveling west on Harry Byrd Highway. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 232 Harry Byrd Hwy, Bluemont VA 20135, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Mt. Airy Fight (here, next to this marker); Appalachian Trail and Bears Den

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(approx. 0.3 miles away); The Lives And Times Of The Snickersville Academy (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Snickersville Academy (approx. 0.7 miles away); Bluemont (approx. ¾ mile away); Snickersville Turnpike (approx. ¾ mile away); Bluemont Historic District (approx. ¾ mile away); a different marker also named Snickersville Turnpike (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Longwood.

Also see . . .
1. The Loomis Patent. (Submitted on June 19, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Mahlon Loomis Biography. (Submitted on June 19, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Virginia Markers T 10 and T 11 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 18, 2007

2. Virginia Markers T 10 and T 11

Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,558 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 19, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.