See the Original Wright Brothers III at Carillon Park in Dayton, Ohio

There's only one place in the world where you can see the world's first practical airplane, the Wright Brothers III, made in 1905. It was the first airplane in the world to be successfully flown for more than very short distances. It's also the only place in the world where you can see the first automobile self-starter, and you can also see the1835 B&O steam locomotive (Grasshopper). You can see it all, as well as costumed interpreters from historic eras, horse-drawn wagons, settlement exhibits built in the 1700's and 1800's and much more at Carillon Park in Dayton, Ohio. The museum is open year round. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for children 3-17 and free for children younger than 3.

The first flight of the Wright Brothers I flew only 120 feet. The last flight the same day went 852 feet and lasted 59 seconds. By 1908 the Wright Brothers III had been perfected. It could fly 25 miles and be airborne for 30 minutes at a speed of 40 miles per hour. The same year a newspaper reporter witnessed a 1000 foot flight, and the Wright Brothers became famous. By that time a pilot could fly in circles and make figure 8's. Although the Wright Brothers opened a factory to manufacture airplanes, Wilbur died in 1912. Orville lived to see how the airplane changed the world. You can see the Wright Brothers III at the Carillon Park in Dayton, Ohio.

You can also see the Wright Bicycle Shop and Deeds Barn. The two buildings are where the first airplanes were developed and where the first automobile starter was developed. Besides seeing the famous plane and the starter, you can see the representation of other inventions throughout the park, such as the cash register. Innovations, such as the Miami Conservancy for Flood Control are represented. The 1930's print shop represents printing in the Miami Valley in Ohio, which is near Dayton. Various industries, such as the Huffy Corporation, are represented throughout the park.

You can see a variety of historic buildings at Carillon Park in Dayton, including the Newcom Tavern, built in 1796. The building was the center of community life in Dayton at the time. The building was used as a home, church, courthouse, and school. In 1815 the William Morris house was built of sturdy stone, and you can see it at the park. You can see the one-room Locust Grove School number 12 built in 1896 near Springfield, Ohio. It served as a school for 1^st grade through 7^th grade.

Besides the Wright Brothers III and the 1835 B&O steam locomotive, you can see the horse driven carriages of the pioneer area, the first Chevy S10 truck assembled in 1988, and the polished brass and enameled metal found on motorcycles found on early automobiles. You can see an exhibit from even further back by stopping at the Miami and Erie County Bed and Lock.

Hawthorne Hill, the mansion Orville Wright called home for 35 years is available for educational tours on Wednesdays and Saturdays for those who have paid in advance. Wright had such visitors as FDR, former Ohio Governor James Cox, and Charles A. Lindbergh. While you are at the Carillon Park, you can also see the Patterson Homestead, the home of Dayton's influential Patterson family, which is furnished with family artifacts and 18^th and 19^th century antiques. There is also an exhibit honoring the National Cash Register Company.

Nearby you can see the Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial, which honors the first African American poet to become famous internationally.

"We visited Carillon Park and thought it was super, "kysusann said on tripadvisor.com "There is a lot to see in the park and well worth the $8. Combine it with a picnic and you have a wonderful outing."

"Thank you for your excellent presentation and information you provided my students last week!" The comments were made by an unnamed person from Morehead State University on daytonhistory.org. "They benefited a great deal from visiting your park, and I am sure each of them will visit again!"

Citations:

Wright Brothers 3, no author listed, kyrene.org
Celebrating Our Creative Heritage, no author listed, daytonhistory.org

Carillon Historical Park: Traveler Reviews, no author listed, tripadvisor.com