Aviation Pioneer: Zoilo H. Garcia
Explore the legacy and immigration story of Zoilo H. Garcia, the Dominican engineer who reshaped aviation technology.
By CUNY Dominican Studies Institute
Based on research by Vivian Guerrero Aquino for CUNY DSI’s Ellis Island Project, documenting Dominican immigrant arrivals and stories.
Airplane Invented by Zoilo H. Garcia, Dominican Civil Engineer (1911) by UnknownCUNY Dominican Studies Institute
The origins of Zoilo Garcia
Zoilo Hermógenes García, born in La Vega, Dominican Republic, in 1881, came from a family of prominence. His father, Zoilo García, was a general, former governor, and a prosperous coffee and tobacco exporter. His mother was María Dolores Peña.
Dominican Civil Engineer Zoilo H. Garcia, Inventor of Airplane Model (1911) by UnknownCUNY Dominican Studies Institute
Zoilo Garcia: Civil Engineer
In 1911, Zoilo H. García arrived from La Vega, DR, via Ellis Island. He was traveling to D.C. to work as a civil engineer. According to a Dominican magazine, Garcia invented a new airplane model.
S. S. Cherokee Ellis Island Manifest of Zoilo H. Garcia (1911-05-08) by D. E. Archibald, Ellis Island Immigration ClerkOriginal Source: www.diariolibre.com. 2011. Rinden Homenaje Al Destacado Piloto Dominicano Tirso García.
Garcia's 1911 Manifest
Zoilo H. Garcia's manifest from the S.S. Cherokee documented his 1911 arrival at Ellis Island, en route to Chicago.
Airplane Invented by Zoilo H. Garcia, Dominican Civil Engineer (1911) by UnknownCUNY Dominican Studies Institute
Garcia's Airplane for the U.S. Government
Zoilo H. Garcia designed and built this plane for the U.S. government in 1911. His work aimed to solve the problem of aircraft stability using his own innovative calculations.
Source: Academia Superior de Ciencias Aeronáuticas ASCA
Ellis Island Port of Arrival Document for Zoilo H. Garcia, Dominican Civil Engeer (1911-05-14) by U.S. Immigration Officer at Ellis IslandCUNY Dominican Studies Institute
Arrival at Ellis Island
His son Tirso de Jesus would later move to Puerto Rico and become involved with airplanes and flying. In 1983, he flew his gyrocopter called the Cabra Loco, the Mad Goat, from Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic giving the D.R. a World Guinness record. See Line 4.
S.S. Iroqouis Manifest of Zoilo H. Garcia and Family, Dominican Civil Engineer (1914-04-24) by S.S. Cherokee Manifest Clerk - Name UnkownCUNY Dominican Studies Institute
Zoilo's return to New York with his family
In 1914, Zoilo returned to NYC with his wife Teresa, their children Zoilo and Hena, and his sister-in-law Luisa. They resided on W. 123rd St., where he was listed as a "Civil Engineer – Government."
Unlike the other stories of Dominican immigrants of his time, Zoilo did not move to the U.S. permanently. He returned to the Dominican Republic.
Sadly, Zoilo passed away at the age of 34 on December 11, 1916, in his hometown of La Vega. He was 10 days away from his 35th birthday when he suffered a high fever.
Based on research by Vivian Guerrero Aquino for CUNY DSI’s Ellis Island Project, documenting Dominican immigrant arrivals and stories.
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