Historical Markers StoppingPoints.com Historical Markers, Sightseeing & Points of Interest Scenic Roads & Points of Interest
About Us | Photo Gallery | Free Widgets | Featured States | Search Site
Register or Edit LoginRegister
Home Texas Midland County Midland John Valentine Pliska
     

John Valentine Pliska

  Texas Historical Markers
Texas & Baird St., Midland, TX, USA

Latitude & Longitude: 31° 59' 46.28778", -102° 4' 23.0802700008"
 
    Texas State
Historical Marker
     Mechanical genius who made and flew first locally-owned aircraft. Born in Austria, Pliska came with parents to Texas, and after 1903 followed blacksmith trade in Midland. He built (1912) and flew at intervals up to 15 minutes an aeroplane of his own invention. (plane now in museum at Midland-Odessa air terminal.) Pliska was a master Smith. Gen. John J. Pershing had U. S. Army horses shod here during border trouble prior to World War I. Branding irons for a large west Texas area were also made here. Pliska married Louis Hundle. They had seven children.

This page last updated: 7/15/2008

John Valentine Pliska Historical Marker Location Map, Midland, Texas