Trans-Sierran Pioneer Flight
(March 22, 1919)

"Here's one that's easily missed! A few seconds ago a guy was looking at me like I had lobsters growing out of my ears because I was taking pictures of this marker. I guess he had never seen an historic marker before in Carson City especially in such an awkward location ..." -- June 2007

Along William Street, 2 miles E of Carson Street

Original Date Visited: 5/27/07
Last Confirmed: 11/18/21
Signed: No

Notes: The mini-metro that lines William Street conceals Marker 134 surprisingly well! This one is easiest to spot if you're heading eastbound on the busy four-lane street (which seems to get busier for every passing year.) From downtown, head east on William and cross Saliman Road. Look to the plaza on your right where you'll find it on the sidewalk on eastbound side of William just past Saliman Road.

Here's what you'll see!

Marker 134 along William Street This marker sees thousands of commuters every single day The pretty vanilla Marker 134 This one really blends in!

Exact Description:
The first authenticated air flight over the Sierra Nevada was successfully completed when four U.S. Army planes touched down here on an improvised field.

Originating at Mather Field in Sacramento and led by Lt. Col. Henry L. Watson, the squadron was made up of three liberty powered Dehavilands and one 90 HP Curtiss Trainer.

The fliers, personally welcomed by Governor Emmet D. Boyle, were Watson, Lts. Ruggles, Curtis, Krull, Schwartz, Haggett, and Sgt. Conway. It was Haggett who introduced an added surprise by landing his small trainer, unannounced, some minutes after the main flight.

The flight concluded in Reno that afternoon.

Governor Boyle flew as a passenger in one of the planes on its return flight to Sacramento, thus making him the first civilian ever to cross the Sierras in flight.