Site of First Water-to-Water Flight

Martin flew that morning because a rival meant to fly to Catalina from Long Beach the next day. He took off from Newport Bay under overcast in a pusher biplane built in a disused Santa Ana church, an inflated bicycle tube round his neck, landed at Avalon thirty-seven minutes later and flew back. The 1963 state bronze, which cast his first name Glen and claimed two firsts, was removed in the pier remodel around 2010. The city's relief bronze that replaced it drops both firsts and says only fastest and longest over water.

What the plaque says

First Water-to-Water Flight Glen L. Martin flew his own plane, built in Santa Ana, from the waters of the Pacific Ocean at Balboa to Catalina Island, May 10, 1912. This was the first water-to-water flight and the longest and fastest over-water flight to that date. Martin, on his return to the mainland, carried the day's mail from Catalina--another first. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 775 Plaque placed by the California State Park Commission in cooperation with the City of Newport Beach, May 10, 1963. Historic Flight On May 10, 1912, Glenn L. Martin flew his hydroplane, built in Orange County, from the sea near the Balboa Pier to Catalina Island. This was the fastest and longest flight over water at that time.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Puvungna — 18 mi
  The Acjachemen and Tongva place of creation: twenty-two acres of open ground on a university campus, still not in the hands of its people.
• Terminal Island and Furusato — 23 mi
  Three thousand Japanese Americans built a village here they called Furusato, and in February 1942 were given forty-eight hours to leave it.
• The Port of Los Angeles — 24 mi
  The busiest container port in the country, sitting on ground that was dredged into existence: marsh, then landfill, then Pier 400.
• Point Fermin Lighthouse — 24 mi
  The first light into San Pedro Bay, lit in 1874 by two sisters, dark since Pearl Harbor, on a bluff that is still sliding.

More markers nearby

• Balboa Pavilion — steps away
• Old Landing — 1.1 mi
• McFadden Wharf — 1.7 mi
• Crystal Cove Historic District — 3.8 mi