By TOM RARY / Guest Columnist

While many know the first heavier-than-air flight by Wilbur and Orville Wright occurred in the Outer Banks of North Carolina in 1903, most do not know that the first flight school was located in Alabama.

Yet in 1910 that is exactly what happened. The same famed Wright brothers on a former cotton plantation outside of Montgomery (a location that is now Maxwell Air Force Base) established the first commercial flight school in existence.

While this particular school failed commercially, the history of Alabama’s involvement in aviation early in 1917 at the outset of the American military involvement in World War I is that the U.S. Army Air Service established a permanent military flight presence in our capital city cementing our state’s place in aviation history.

Thomas Rary, director of the Columbiana Public Library, invites flight enthusiasts and all lovers of history to come learn about the fascinating story of aviation’s early years in the South.

Thursday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m., the Columbiana Public Library will host a presentation on the history of southern aviation presented by noted Alabama historian Jim Phillips.

Mr. Phillips is an avid historian and noted public speaker who over the course of his professional life developed an affinity for the late 19th and early 20th century.

Mr. Phillips has produced a number of videos on varying historical topics, and presents oral history presentations around the state, of particular interest the accompanying video presentation during Mr. Phillips’ presentation will show early aerial footage of downtown Columbiana from the late 1920s or early 1930s.

Come enjoy free food, have some fun, and learn about our collective history, as the Friends of the Columbiana Public Library will provide light refreshments.

This evening of fun and learning will leave you with a desire to know more of the wondrous history of the community of Columbiana and the great state in which we all live, Alabama.

Tom Rary is the director of the Columbiana Library.