Lindbergh in West Texas
Abilene, Taylor County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Four months after his record-setting trans-Atlantic solo flight, Charles Augustus Lindbergh (1902-1974) landed here for one hour and thirty-six minutes during a nationwide publicity tour. Touching down at Kingsolving Field (now the site of Abilene Zoo) after an almost nine-hour flight from Santa Fe, "Lucky Lindy" was given a hero's welcome by thousands of West Texans. His famous Ryan Monoplane, "Spirit of St. Louis," was taxied into a fenced area and surrounded by National Guard Troops for protection. An escort plane landed later. Heading a parade into Abilene were seventy-one mayors and countless officials. Lindbergh was escorted by Mrs. Mildred Moody (1897-1983), wife of Governor Dan Moody and an Abilene native; Mayor Thomas Edward Hayden (1891-1949); and Chamber of Commerce president Charles William Bacon (1871-1947). The young pilot reportedly balked at a "throne" rigged for him in an open Nash automobile, and rode with Mrs. Moody through the town to Federal lawn. Lindbergh delivered a brief speech over loud speakers praising the ideal terrain and weather in Texas for developing civil and military aviation. He was escorted back to this plane and flew two hours and forty-two minutes to his next stop in Fort Worth. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Four months after his 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic, Charles Lindbergh touched down at Abilene's Kingsolving Field during a nationwide goodwill tour, drawing thousands of West Texans to welcome 'Lucky Lindy.' His 'Spirit of St. Louis' was ringed by National Guard troops while a parade of mayors and officials escorted him — alongside Mrs. Mildred Moody, wife of the governor — into town. In a brief speech Lindbergh praised Texas's terrain and weather as ideal for developing civil and military aviation before flying on to Fort Worth.
Why it matters
Lindbergh's stop marks the moment aviation captured the public imagination, and his prophecy about Texas skies foreshadowed the state's central role in American flight and air power.
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Related people
- · Charles Augustus Lindbergh
- · Mildred Moody
- · Thomas Edward Hayden
Related events
- · Lindbergh's 1927 nationwide goodwill tour
Themes & tags
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