Montgomery Hill

The bronze counts fifty-five successful flights and was dedicated on October 31, 1967, fifty-six years to the day after the flight it leaves out. On October 31, 1911, John Montgomery stalled his glider, the Evergreen, struck his head on an exposed bolt and died on the hill. He had lost a pilot before: Daniel Maloney was killed in a 1905 demonstration. The plaque has since been moved about half a mile west, beside a glider-wing sculpture, so its three-quarters of a mile northeast was measured from somewhere else.

What the plaque says

Montgomery Hill Three-quarters of a mile northeast is Montgomery Hill, site of the 55 successful flights of the 'aeroplane' of John Joseph Montgomery which demonstrated aerodynamic developments still indispensable to modern aircraft. Here the basic principles of aerodynamics discovered by Montgomery were combined by his engineering skill and technology to produce a heavier-than-air flying machine which had complete control: the cambered wing, rear stabilizer, flexible wingtips, and the wing-warping aileron. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 813 Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the County of Santa Clara and the University of Santa Clara, October 31, 1967.

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Edwin Markham Home — 5.1 mi
• Guadalupe Mission of San Jose — 5.5 mi
• First Normal School — 6.7 mi
• Site of California's First State Capitol — 6.9 mi