Only 38,308 people visited three Wright sites the Park Service is currently developing in Dayton. Those sites include the brothers' restored bicycle shop, one of their airplanes and a field used for later flights. Mr. Mottley pointed out that several of those subsequent Ohio flights probably passed over wheat fields. Just how much money visitors spend in Ohio and North Carolina while visiting the competing Wright sites isn't known. Tourism statistics were hard to find for the Dayton area and are obscured by other attractions in North Carolina's Outer Banks.
Beaches are the main tourist draw in Dare County.
The Air Force Museum in Dayton, which drew 1.5 million visitors last year, is one big contributor to Montgomery County's tourism numbers. While the nattering over credit continues, both sides acknowledge there can be room for two Wright museums. Ferg Norton, director of North Carolina's First Flight Centennial Committee, said he's worked hand in hand with Dayton area officials planning 2003 events. Mr. Norton also said he heard disparaging remarks about North Carolina during a recent air show he attended in Dayton. A view of the rising sun between the hills of Mount Logan, as seen from the home of U.S. Sen. Thomas Worthington.