Hello all, the objects pictured in this thread were removed from the mentioned sight below many years ago. In fact, when they were unearthed, the area was forgotton to history and badly overgrown. Today, the site has received national and state historical recognition as the birthplace of the US Air Force, snd id s nationsl landmark thst is well-maintained. I am very happy to be the conservator of the items shown.
Before posting the items, I would like to offer a brief history for you. I hope you enjoy.
From the Texas City Library:
The First Aeronautical Division of the U.S. Army was established in August of 1907. The
Wright Brothers designed and tested the first military plane delivered to the Army, which met
specifications of being able to fly 40 miles per hour, remain aloft for one hour with a crew of
two, and be transportable in a four-wheeled, mule driven wagon. The contract with the Wrights
also included training of two officers in the "handling and operation of this flying machine."
Although an aviation school was established in College Park, Maryland, and experimental flights
were conducted in west Texas, Georgia, Virginia, Ohio, California, and the Philippines, the
Signal Corps did not establish the First Aero Squadron until the spring of 1913, when the Second
Division was encamped at Texas City.
Here, on an airfield located on the land now part of Bay Street Park, the early aviators with the
U.S Army experimented with nine of the Army's Planes for a period of ten months (March 2
through November 28th, 1913.) Eight flying officers, one doctor, and twenty-one enlisted men
composed the Aero Squadron, commanded by Captain Charles Deforest Chandler.
Here, flight records for speed and distance were set. Among those young officers assigned to
Texas City was Lieutenant Eric Ellington, for whom Ellington Air force Base, south of Houston,
is named.
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