SHENANDOAH Crash Sites
Why it's listed
Three separate locations in Noble County, Ohio, mark where the Navy airship USS Shenandoah came down on September 3, 1925, after a violent storm broke it apart. Site 1 centers on a c.1870 two-story frame farmhouse and garden near Ava, where the control car fell and Commander Zachary Lansdowne and six crewmen died. Site 2, an open field across I-77, is where the 400-foot stern section came to rest; concrete blocks now outline its shape. Site 3, about six miles southwest near Sharon, is where the bow section was tied to two trees and the surviving crew landed. Markers placed in 1975 commemorate the event. The Shenandoah was the first rigid airship built in the United States and the first inflated with helium. The wreck led to stronger hull construction, more powerful engines, and better weather forecasting for later airships. It also drew public attention through the court of inquiry and the court-martial of Billy Mitchell.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the crash was a major event in the history of Noble County and southeastern Ohio. It also ties to the Navy's airship program and to Commander Zachary Lansdowne, who died in the wreck. Study of the disaster led to stronger hull designs, better engines and improved weather forecasting for later airships.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 89000942, listed July 25, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Near I-77 and Co. Rt. 37 and OH 78 W of Caldwell, Caldwell |
|---|---|
| County | Noble County |
| Listed | July 25, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89000942 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1925 |
| Architectural style | Site No. 1: No style; Sites No. 2 and 3: N/A |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military, Transportation |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The Gamary farmhouse at site 1 is listed as vacant, with doors, windows, mantels and plaster removed. Site 2 is marked by concrete blocks and a sign. Site 3 has tree stumps, a gravel drive and a granite marker. |
| Acreage | 11 |
| Coordinates | 39.78381, -81.56799 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 89000942.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.