Maxwell Air Force Base - Montgomery, Alabama
Posted by: 
xptwo
N 32° 22.901 W 086° 20.718
16S E 561582 N 3582932
Marker giving historical information about events happening at the site of Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, which is named for an Alabama native killed in a plane crash.
Waymark Code: WME4QG
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 04/03/2012
Views: 11
In the early 20th century, this area was part of a cotton field, but in 1910, the Wright brothers established athe nation's first civilian flying school. The school closed at this site after a few months, but during World War I the property was purchased for military use and has been used by the Army and Air Force since that time. The marker is located near Academic Circle by a static display of a B-25 bomber.
Marker Name: Maxwell Air Force Base
Marker Type: Urban
Addtional Information::
The marker text reads:
Maxwell Air Force Base
Military forces arrived in 1540 with Desoto at Indian village of Towassa. Here in 1910, the Wright brothers established the nation's first civilian flying school and made first recorded night flights. A repair and engine depot was established in 1918 for airplanes used for training in World War I. After the war, the 22nd Observation Squadron and 4th Photo Section assigned to the post made aerial photos of the Tennessee Valley, delivered first airmail to Montgomery, and in 1929 airdropped supplies for flood relief. The Base was named for Lt. William C. Maxwell of Atmore, AL, killed in a plane crash in the Philippines in 1920.
Alabama Historical Association
1993
Date Dedicated / Placed: 1993
Marker Number: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
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