Down a country road near the South East Kansas town of Rago, one will find an old run down, seemingly unremarkable farm. On the land, there are the typical structures of a white farmhouse, a red barn, and a small chicken coop. However, there are two buildings on this farm that are not average whatsoever. There are two aircraft hangers, one is large and aluminum, the other older and still holding canvas for wings. This 40-acre farm was the residence of Clyde Cessna: aviator, inventor, and founder of Cessna Aircraft Co. 

Clyde Cessna had an impressive aviation career that spanned decades in the early 20th century. It saw him innovate in the new field of aeronautics. Clyde Cessna also as put his exceptional mind to work tinkering with farm equipment as he was a successful thresher. Central to Cessna’s career was his Rago farm where he worked on both aviation and agriculture. He used it to support himself and his family through his innovative and risky career as an aviator. The farmstead that was home to Kansas aviation pioneer Clyde Cessna was foundational to his success and to his development as an inventor both in the air and on the ground. 

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