Calbraith “Cal” Rodgers, the first man to fly across the United States, landed near this spot on Oct. 10, 1911, during a 49-day flight. Nebo was one of 68 recorded landing sites. Rodgers flew a Wright EX biplane named the “Vin Fiz” after a popular soft drink of the day. Following the railroad from coast to coast, he was accompanied by a special train carrying mechanics, spare parts, and his wife. The arrival of the “Vin Fiz,” the first airplane most people there had ever seen, brought great excitement to the village of Nebo, Illinois, that October morning in 1911.