John V. Pliska, born in Tyne, Austria, came to Texas with his parents in 1897
and settled in Flatonia. In 1903, he started on a trip to Mexico by train. When
the train stopped in Midland, he got off to look over the local blacksmith shop.
Pliska was hired as a blacksmith and became the first person in Midland County
to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. Fascinated by airplanes, Pliska planned to
build one and, by 1909, had started gathering materials. In 1911, a Wright
Brothers Model B plane landed in Midland on a cross-country flight. Pliska
viewed it and began to build his own plane along with Gary Coggin, a local auto
mechanic. Pliska flew his plane in 1912. Pliska's flying machine can be viewed
daily in the Midland International Airport lobby.
432/560-2200.
City: Midland
Region: Big Bend Country
With so many amazing things to do in Texas, there’s not enough room to feature them all. So check out some popular attractions to see just how much fun your Texas vacation can be.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
City: Canyon
Region: Panhandle Plains
Lakes near Dallas
City: Dallas
Region: Prairies and Lakes
Lake Conroe Park
City: Conroe
Region: Piney Woods
Galveston Island Beach
City: Galveston
Region: Gulf Coast
Lakes near San Antonio
City: San Antonio
Region: South Texas Plains
Devil’s Backbone
City: Wimberley
Region: Hill Country
Balmorhea State Park
City: Balmorhea
Region: Big Bend Country
