McCook Field in Dayton in Montgomery County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
McCook Field
1917
This field is small. Use it all.
-sign at McCook Field
Entering World War I, the United States urgently needed to advance this new field of aeronautics. Thanks to the area's industrial strength, the military chose Dayton as the sight of a new aeronautical center. McCook Field, located north of downtown Dayton between Keowee Street and the Great Miami River, was charged with researching, developing, manufacturing, and testing all military airplanes and accessories.
Nearly all significant aviation developments in the decade after 1917 were achieved at McCook Field. New airplanes were only part of the work. Aircraft weapons systems, bullet-proof gas tanks, free-fall parachutes, and night observation cameras were invented at the field as well.
Soon, however, the larger, more powerful aircraft overwhelmed McCook Field. The Air Force needed a more permanent site, and Dayton was once again determined to provide it. In a 48-hour fundraising effort, the community raised $425,000 to purchase 4,520 acres northeast of Dayton. With that land, the groundwork was laid for the next generation of aeronautical innovation in the Miami Valley.
Erected 2003 by Inventing Flight and Dayton Power & Light Company Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Science & Medicine • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.
Location. 39° 46.097′ N, 84° 11.204′ W. Marker is in Dayton, Ohio, in Montgomery County. It is in McCook Field. Marker can be reached from Great Miami River Recreational Trail. Marker is in Centennial Park, within Deeds Point MetroPark, off Webster Street, about 450 feet NNE of the confluence of the Mad and Great Miami Rivers. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 510 Webster Street, Dayton OH 45402, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wright-Patterson AFB (here, next to this marker); Huffman Prairie (here, next to this marker); John Glenn (a few steps from this marker); J. Bradford Tillson (a few steps from this marker); The Solution: Wing Warping (within shouting distance of this marker); The Peace Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); Sir George Cayley (within shouting distance of this marker); Montgolfier Brothers (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.
More about this marker. Inventing Flight: The Centennial Celebration Series #7
Also see . . . McCook Field. Out of the Box website entry (Submitted on April 7, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,150 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 23, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.