Bridgeport, Connecticut: First Airplane Flew Here (Gone)

A small fountain topped with replica of an early flying machine prototype marks the spot where Gustave Whitehead supposedly flew the first airplane in 1901 (before the Wright Brothers). Unveiled in 2012, but had vanished by January 2021.

Directions:: Just north of I-95 exit 25. The monument-fountain is in the median of State St. Ext. at its intersection with Hwy 130/Fairfield Ave.
Hours:: Jan. 2021: Reported gone.
Status:: Gone

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First Airplane Flew Here

As reported in January 2021, it's gone.

[Richard Shroyer, 06/03/2023]

First Airplane Flew Here

The model airplane is missing from the pole. Showing Gustave some love anyway.

[Annie, 01/10/2021]

Perhaps a temporary weather or maintenance-related grounding...

First Airplane Flew Here

As of 4/7/19, the replica aircraft is not affixed to the pole at the memorial. Has it flown the coop?

[Kurt Deion / kurtshistoricsites.com, 04/15/2019]

The aircraft is spindly, so maybe the city takes the replica indoors for the winter?

First flight monument.

First Airplane Flew Here

The First Flight monument is on an island in a busy intersection -- a little dangerous if you want to get close. Good views from the side street, though. We talked to a few locals in Stratford, who confirmed that Connecticut's favorite son was years ahead of the Wright Brothers. He just didn't have a good publicity agent. Gustav!

[Gloria Z., 08/12/2018]