Appendix B
National Historic Landmarks And
National Register Properties Within Dayton Aviation Heritage National
Historical Park
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.
1Each National Landmark's significance statement is taken from its
description as found on the National Park Service website, www.nps.gov.
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.
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