Wedell's Corner
Texas City, Galveston County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Site, childhood home of Jimmy (1900-1934) and Walter (1901-1935) Wedell -- aviation pioneers. Jimmy designed, built, raced planes. With financier Harry Williams, operated early airline. At time of death in crash, held world's land plane speed record. Walter died in a later air disaster.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
This corner was the childhood home of brothers Jimmy and Walter Wedell, self-made aviation pioneers of the 1920s and '30s. Jimmy designed, built, and raced airplanes, partnered with financier Harry Williams to run an early airline, and held the world land-plane speed record at the time of his death in a 1934 crash. Walter died in a later air disaster—both brothers gone within a year, casualties of the daring age of speed flight.
Why it matters
The Wedells belong to the reckless, inventive generation of barnstormers and record-chasers who pushed American aviation into the modern age.
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Related people
- · Jimmy Wedell
- · Walter Wedell
- · Harry Williams
Themes & tags
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