Governors Island in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Flight on Governors Island
Governors Island
The new Governors Island landfill was only just complete – a largely empty dust blown expanse of over 100 acres – when it gained fame for its role in the budding aviation industry. In 1909, the Hudson-Fulton Celebration took place to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage up the Hudson River. It also celebrated the 100th anniversary of Robert Fulton’s innovative paddle wheel steamer which traveled from New York City to Albany, ushering in the era of steamship travel. A series of demonstration flights were planned as part of the celebration. Wilbur Wright was paid to make a number of flights and was promised a $15,000 prize for a flight of over ten miles. Wright flew from Governors Island around the Statue of Liberty and back. The flight, though not long enough to win the prize, is considered the first successful flight over water in America. Days later, Wright succeeded in flying over ten miles from the Island up the Hudson, around Grant’s Tomb and back.
During World War I, the Island’s use in flight diminished. The flat expanse of the south island was filled with support structures for the war effort, including the “World’s Shortest Railroad.” The one mile long track allowed supplies to be carried from the piers to workshops and warehouses across the south island.
In the 1920s, New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia advocated the use of this open, flat land as a municipal airport. A heated conflict emerged as the Army held fast to its original vision of an expanded army post, and stalled the idea of the airport. Ongoing debates continued for two decades, until progress in the aviation industry rendered the site inadequate. Instead, a new city airport, La Guardia, was opened in Queens in 1939.
The monument erected here honors the pioneers of solo flight, nicknamed “The Early Birds,” including the Wright Brothers, Glen Curtiss and Ruth Law. Dedicated in 1954, the monument features a bronze cast of the propeller from Wilbur Wright’s first military flight in 1909.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.
Location. 40° 41.351′ N, 74° 1.171′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is on Governors Island. Marker is on Division Road, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located on Governors Island. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Early Birds (here, next to this marker); Demolition on South Island (within shouting distance of this marker); Liggett Hall (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Clayton Road (about 400 feet away); Division Road (about 400 feet away); Slate Roofs on Colonels Row (about 500 feet away); Polo on Governors Island (about 500 feet away); Purchase of Governors Island Monument (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
More about this marker. Two photos appear on the right side of the marker. One shows “Wilbur Wright at flight shed in 1909.” And the other depicts “Orville, Wilbur and Charles Taylor examin[ing] the Wright airplane with a canoe attached, while military personnel look on.”
Also see . . . Governors Island National Monument. National Park Service website. (Submitted on September 13, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Additional keywords. Glenn Curtiss Glenn H. Curtiss Glenn Hammond Curtiss
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 652 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on October 28, 2013, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 13, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6. submitted on April 7, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.