Heritage Area, Local Business Team Up To Honor Historic Flight
Date:
10/27/2009Summary:
Among the many "firsts" in Yuma's history was the first plane ever to land in the state of Arizona. And local business owners have joined with the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area to commemorate the occasion.Contact:
First Arizona Landing To Be Honored With Statute
Yuma, Arizona - Among the many "firsts" in Yuma's history was the first plane ever to land in the state of Arizona. And local business owners have joined with the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area to commemorate the occasion.
On Oct. 25, 1911, pilot Robert G. Fowler landed his Wright Model B biplane (also known as a "Cole Flyer") near what was then a ballpark between 1st and 3rd streets on 4th Avenue. That property is now the Best Western Coronado Motor Hotel and Yuma Landing Restaurant, and owners John and Yvonne Peach have long honored that historic flight with historical markers in front of their restaurant.
Now, the Peaches have teamed up with the Heritage Area to commission a hero-size statue of Fowler at Yuma Landing. Work is now under way on the foundation and plaza, and the statue, sculpted by Arizonan Laurie Slenning, is expected to be unveiled in early 2010.
Funds for the project have come from the Peaches, the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area and the Early Birds Association.
Fowler's 800-pound biplane took off from Santa Monica, Calif., before it landed in Yuma. Eventually he flew it to Miami over a 50-day period. The plane housed a 30-horsepower engine rented from the famous Wright Brothers. It had a top speed of 45 mph.
The first Arizona flight landing ranks among a number of important "firsts" for Yuma: The first train to enter Arizona did so at Yuma in 1877, and the Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge provided the link in the first U.S. highway to travel coast to coast.
For More Information
For further information, please contact Greg Hyland, CPM, the City of Yuma's Director of Communications & Public Affairs at (928) 373-5023 or by e-mail or Dave Nash, City of Yuma Public Affairs Coordinator at (928) 373-5015 or by e-mail.
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Media Contacts
Members of the media may contact Director of Communications and Public Affairs Greg Hyland, CPM at (928) 373-5023 or (928) 580-4751, or Public Affairs Coordinator Dave Nash at (928) 373-5015, or (928) 941-0199.
