Though not as well-known as other geoglyphs around the world, the United States is home to a unique set of manmade creations meant to be seen from above. These creations are large concrete navigational arrows that were originally used to guide the U.S. Postal Service in airmail delivery in the early 20th century.
Around 1,500 of these arrows were constructed almost 100 years ago to help expedite the movement of mail during the early days of flight. Today, under 200 of these arrows remain, scattered across various locations in the U.S. Many of them are hidden in remote areas or covered by vegetation, making them difficult to find.
The history of these navigational arrows dates back to the early days of airmail in the U.S. At that time, airmail was still a slow process, as flights were restricted to daylight hours and mail would be transported by train during the night. To improve the speed and efficiency of airmail delivery, the federal government developed a plan to create a connect-the-dots pathway from coast to coast.
The pathway consisted of 51-foot metal towers with beacons placed approximately 10 miles apart. At the base of each beacon, a concrete arrow measuring 50 to 70 feet was built and painted bright chrome yellow for visibility. These arrows were aimed to direct pilots to the next navigational complex, which would then guide them to the next complex until they reached their destination.
In addition to the arrows, rotating beacons with lights of 2 million candlepower were used to guide pilots. Emergency airfields were also constructed every 25 miles to assist pilots in case of any problems during flight. The arrows pointed towards the eastern terminus on east-to-west routes and to the most northern stop on north-to-south routes.
These navigational arrows played a significant role in the development of airmail routes in the U.S. Many major commercial airlines today can trace their roots back to the incomes generated by contracts for these early airmail routes.
Finding these navigational arrows today requires research and determination. Many of them are located in off-the-beaten-path areas or near major highways but hidden under vegetation or other obstructions. The thrill of discovering one of these arrows is akin to finding a hidden treasure, and it offers a glimpse into the history of early aviation and airmail delivery.
While the era of the navigational arrows has come to an end, with most of the towers disassembled and the arrows destroyed, a few still remain to be seen by curious travelers. These arrows are a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the early days of flight and serve as a reminder of the progress made in navigation and technology. For those seeking unique and offbeat adventures, searching for these arrows can be an exciting and rewarding experience.