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First Flight Society

The First Flight Society was created in 1927, by W.O. Saunders, the editor and publisher of Elizabeth City's weekly newspaper, The Independent. The First Flight Society was founded as the Kill Devil Hills Memorial Association to build a monument to the Wright Brothers first powered, controlled flight in Kitty Hawk North Carolina. This would eventually become what is known as the Wright Brothers National Memorial.

He persuaded U.S. Rep. Lindsay C. Warren to seek legislation to build a memorial to Wilbur and Orville Wright's first flight in 1903 at the base of Big Kill Devil Hill.The bill passed, but there was no money or design to build a monument. At the time the site was in private hands and virtually inaccessible.

Saunders decided to round up a group of Elizabeth City business leaders to promote the project. The 46 businessmen formed the Kill Devil Hills Memorial Association. This later became The First Flight Society. Saunders was chosen as the first president. The association was later named the Kill Devil Hills Memorial Society. Years later it was renamed The First Flight Society.