Dayton Aviation What Dreams We Have The Wright Brothers and Their Hometown of Dayton, Ohio

NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARKS

Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial, designated December 29, 1962.

SIGNIFICANCE¹: From 1904 until his death, this modest two story red brick building was the residence of Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906), the distinguished poet. His poetic use of dialect to convey both the joys and sorrows of an oppressed people brought him national acclaim.

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¹Each National Landmark's significance statement is taken from its description as found on the National Park Service website, www.nps.gov.

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Huffman Prairie Flying Field, designated June 21, 1990

SIGNIFICANCE: The Huffman Prairie Flying Field is the site used by the Wright brothers from 1904 to 1905 to develop and test the world's first practical airplane, the Wright Flyer III. It was on this field that the Wright brothers continued their quest to conquer the air after their return from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in 1903. During these years the Wright brothers perfected the technique of flying and developed a powered airplane completely controllable by the pilot; able to bank, turn, circle, and make figure eights; withstand repeated takeoffs and landings; and remain airborne and trouble free for more than half an hour.

Wright Cycle Company Building, designated June 21, 1990

SIGNIFICANCE: This building is the site where, from 1895 to 1897, Wilbur and Orville Wright began to manufacture their own line of bicycles. This activity contributed the know-how and financial resources critical to their experiments in aviation. Their years of working with sprockets, spokes, chain drives, tires, metals, lathes, drills, and engines were of great value to the pair in designing and building their first gliders and flying machines. The Wright brothers also operated the Wright Printing Shop on the second floor of the building during those years.

Wright Flyer III, designated June 21, 1990

SIGNIFICANCE: The Wright Flyer III (1905) is the world's first airplane capable of sustained controlled flight and satiable for practical applications. It was with this airplane that the Wright brothers perfected the technique of flying and developed a utilitarian flying machine that ushered in the aviation age. With the development of the Flyer III, the Wright brothers had for all practical purposes completed their conquest of the air.

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTIES

West Third Street Historic District, designated March 10, 1988

SIGNIFICANCE: The West Third Street area of Dayton was home of the Wright brothers as well as a very multicultural neighborhood. Found within this district are the Dayton Aviation Heritage properties of the Hoover Block, home of the Wright Printing Shop from 1890 to 1895, The Wright Cycle Company building at 22 S. Williams, and 30 South Williams, which serves as an administrative building for the park.

Dunbar Historic District, designated June 30, 1980

SIGNIFICANCE: The Paul Laurence Historic district centers around the Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial, which served as the final home of the poet.