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First Forest Patrol Flight
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Wisconsin Historical Marker near Trout Lake. The marker recognizes the first ever forest patrol flight.The marker text reads:"FIRST FOREST PATROL FLIGHT was made from Trout Lake by Jack Vilas June 29, 1915. Vilas was commissioned "Official Aviator" by the Wisconsin State Board of Forestry (now Wisconsin Conservation Department) and on his own request received no salary other than "many thanks". During July and August, 1915, patrol flights were made almost daily in a Curtiss Flying Boat. Vilas had shipped his plane from Chicago to Trout Lake by train. In those days the 350 mile flight from Chicago would have taken several days and a crew of special mechanics following in a train, to keep the 'flying machine' going. The flights from here by Jack Vilas marked the first time anywhere that an aircraft was used in detecting and locating forest fires and patrolling large forest areas."
1955
Harrington, C. L.
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W0126FO
WHi 107654
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Curtiss Flying Boat at Trout Lake
1915
View from shoreline of Trout Lake of a group of six men posed with the pilot, possibly Jack Vilas, on an early seaplane or flying boat floating in the water at the shoreline. The six men are dresse...
Vilas Flying Boat
July 1, 1913
The Curtiss flying boat in which Jack Vilas made the first flight across Lake Michigan. Vilas, a Chicago businessman, was greeted by a crowd of aerial enthusiasts. His achievement was not only the ...
First Forest Patrol Flight
October 15, 1955
Neil LeMany, Chief Forest Ranger at the Forest Protection Headquarters in Tomahawk, C.L. Harrington, superintendent of the Forest and Parks Division of the Wisconsin Conservation Department, speaki...
Planting Camp North End of Trout Lake
May 1911
Trout Lake was the site of the first forest planting or nursery. This camp was at the north end of Trout Lake.
First Forest Patrol Flight Historic Marker
Hwy. M, 6 mi. S of Boulder Junction
First Forestry Building at Trout Lake Headquarters
1911
The first forestry building at Trout Lake Headquarters. It served the crew for eating and sleeping while they were clearing for the nursery site in progress for first seeding in 1911. There is a lo...
