Bald Eagles Nested Above Historic Dayton Plane

A pair of bald eagles successfully hatched two eaglets above the 1905 Wright Flyer III at Carillon Historical Park.

Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in National Parks

Bold vector editorial illustration of an eagle nest in a sycamore tree, evoking the natural resurgence in a historic city park. — Bald eagles have successfully hatched two eaglets in a sycamore tree at Dayton’s Carillon Historical Park, directly above the historic 1905 Wright Flyer III. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Bald eagles have established a nest in a sycamore tree directly above the 1905 Wright Flyer III at Dayton’s Carillon Historical Park. This pair recently hatched two eaglets, named Liberty and America.

Why it matters

The nesting site draws a symbolic connection between the national bird and the 1905 Wright Flyer III, which was named Ohio's official state airplane in 2025. Congressman Mike Turner formally recognized this unique occurrence by entering the story into the Congressional Record.

Bald eagles returned to the Dayton area in 2008 after a 70-year absence and began nesting at Carillon Historical Park in 2018. The nest sits in a sycamore tree located above the 1905 Wright Flyer III in Wright Hall.

The players

Mike Turner

He is a U.S. Congressman who represents Ohio's 10th congressional district and serves as the ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Mike DeWine

He is the current Governor of Ohio, previously serving as the state's attorney general and as a United States Senator.

The details

The presence of the eagles was officially documented in the Congressional Record in September 2026. This natural milestone highlights the resurgence of the species in the region since they first returned to the area nearly two decades ago.

1782: The Second Continental Congress adopted the bald eagle as the national symbol.
2008: Bald eagles returned to the Dayton area.
2018: Bald eagles began nesting at Carillon Historical Park.
2025: Governor Mike DeWine designated the 1905 Wright Flyer III as Ohio's official state airplane.
September 2026: Congressman Mike Turner entered the eagle story into the Congressional Record.

Travel Outlook

The regional comeback of the bald eagle population follows a pattern of recovery established by the protections under the Endangered Species Act. This local nesting activity reflects the broader success of wildlife conservation efforts across the American Midwest.

Visitors to Carillon Historical Park should remain observant of posted signage and keep a respectful distance from the sycamore tree near Wright Hall to avoid disturbing the wildlife. The park remains open, but guests should be aware that certain areas near the nest may be subject to temporary closures to ensure bird safety.

The takeaway

This event serves as a reminder of the successful recovery of bald eagle populations in urban environments across the United States. Residents and visitors are encouraged to appreciate these birds from a distance to ensure they continue to thrive in their historical park habitat.