NPS - National Park Service
03/27/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/28/2023 01:45
Wright Company Fire
The Wright Company Factory, the place where the Wright brothers started the modern aviation industry with the first purpose-built airplane manufacturing site in the United States, was damaged in a fire that started around 2:00 am on Sunday, March 26 and burned throughout the day. At the time of this release, the Dayton Fire Department crews are still on site to prevent the fire from restarting.
The Wright Company Factory site is closed at this time as fire crews work to evaluate the extent of the fire and clear the area. All other park locations are open normal operating hours.
The investigation into the cause of the fire remains ongoing.
"Despite over 100 years of intense use, the Wright Company Factory still had most of its original wood roof, windows, and other historic fabric intact. We are working with our partners to assess the damage to this irreplaceable resource," said Superintendent Kendell Thompson. "I am thankful for the hard work and dedication of the firefighters who worked diligently through the night to quell the blaze and prevent further destruction of this unique part of aviation history."
The Wright Company Factory site was added to the legislative boundary of Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park in 2009 and is currently owned by the City of Dayton. The region's involvement in the invention of early flight and airplane manufacturing started in the back of a bicycle shop and grew to a full-fledged industry that today supports world travel and the exchange of goods and services across the globe. The Wright Company Factory opened in 1910 as the first factory in the United States designed especially for building airplanes, a testament to the brothers' attempt to commercialize their invention. Students at the Wright School of Aviation also came to the Factory to learn flight controls on a simulator. Beyond the Wright Company, the site was used extensively and became part of a larger automotive manufacturing complex.
The Wright Company Factory site is closed at this time as fire crews work to evaluate the extent of the fire and clear the area. All other park locations are open normal operating hours.
The investigation into the cause of the fire remains ongoing.
"Despite over 100 years of intense use, the Wright Company Factory still had most of its original wood roof, windows, and other historic fabric intact. We are working with our partners to assess the damage to this irreplaceable resource," said Superintendent Kendell Thompson. "I am thankful for the hard work and dedication of the firefighters who worked diligently through the night to quell the blaze and prevent further destruction of this unique part of aviation history."
The Wright Company Factory site was added to the legislative boundary of Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park in 2009 and is currently owned by the City of Dayton. The region's involvement in the invention of early flight and airplane manufacturing started in the back of a bicycle shop and grew to a full-fledged industry that today supports world travel and the exchange of goods and services across the globe. The Wright Company Factory opened in 1910 as the first factory in the United States designed especially for building airplanes, a testament to the brothers' attempt to commercialize their invention. Students at the Wright School of Aviation also came to the Factory to learn flight controls on a simulator. Beyond the Wright Company, the site was used extensively and became part of a larger automotive manufacturing complex.