FIRST FOREST PATROL FLIGHT

	First Forest Patrol Flight.

The First Forest Patrol Flight was made from Trout Lake by Jack Vilas June 23, 1915. Vilas was commissioned "Official Aviator" by the Wisconsin State Board of Forestry (now Wis- consin Conservation Department) and on his own request re- ceived 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. The above is the text shown on the marker

 

Historical Marker Dedication

You are cordially invited to be present at the dedication of an Historical marker erected by the Wisconsin Historical markers Commission to commemorate the "First Forest Patrol Flight" made by Jack Vilas at Trout Lake, Wisconsin, June 23, 1955. The dedication is to be on Saturday, October 15, 1955 at 1:30 p.m. at the marker site, Trout Lake, Vilas County, Wisconsin

 

UNVEILING CEREMONY

Remarks

Mr. Jack Vilas Evanston, Illinois

Band Music SELECTED

The Arbor Vitae-Woodruff High School Band Kenneth Daniels, Director

Documents courtesy of Harry Jones, 8-17-07

 

ONLINE RESOURCES      If you search for "Jack Vilas" +Wisconsin, using the Google search engine, (9-26-07), you will find about 235 links. Our good friend Greg Powers has alerted me to this one.

 

Vilas Flying Boat      This page has a beautiful photo of his flying boat which he used to spot forest fires in Wisconsin. You can access the site by clicking on the title above.

 

Back