Historical Markers of Carson City


Nevada Landmarks Home Page


*HM 134*


-- Trans-Sierran Pioneer Flight (March 22, 1919) --


Location: Carson City
Directions: Along William Street (SR 530), 3 miles E of Carson Street

Location: 2
Visibility: 4
Accessibility: 2
Marker type: St. (L)
   

Date Conquered: 6/2/07
Nearest Intersection: Between Saliman Rd & Rand Ave.
Quick Description: A marker honoring the first-authenticated air flight over the Sierra Nevada.
Signed: Yes -- Historically, this marker was signed. (No signs exist today.)

GPS: LAT, N39° 10' 20.5"     LON, W119° 44' 56.2"

NOTES: #134 makes itself surprisingly hidden when you're trying to spot it alongside busy William Street (now SR 530). The marker is easiest to spot if you're heading eastbound. Find the marker on the eastbound side of William, just past Saliman Road and the Auto Zone.


Busy busy William Street and the Carson City Bike Route!

Full Description:
The first authenticated air flight over the Sierra Nevada was successfully completed when four U.S. Army planes touched down here on an improvised field.

Originating at Mather Field in Sacramento and led by Lt. Col. Henry L. Watson, the squadron was made up of three liberty powered Dehavilands and one 90 HP Curtiss Trainer.

The fliers, personally welcomed by Governor Emmet D. Boyle, were Watson, Lts. Ruggles, Curtis, Krull, Schwartz, Haggett, and Sgt. Conway. It was Haggett who introduced an added surprise by landing his small trainer, unannounced, some minutes after the main flight.

The flight concluded in Reno that afternoon.

Governor Boyle flew as a passenger in one of the planes on its return flight to Sacramento, thus making him the first civilian ever to cross the Sierras in flight.

The inconspicuous nature of Nevada. To be continued...

#134 when viewed from across US 50.
Notice the empty field in the left b.g. This is the original site of the Trans-Sierran landing, an event known only because of this marker.

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Copyright © Paul Sebesta

Updated, Oct. 3, 2009