Browsing the internet one afternoon, I stumbled upon an interesting blog by Heather Burdo at the website AZAnimals.com that lists the nine oldest airports in the United States. (Not really sure why a blog about animals has a list of airports on it, but then again, why not?)
Think you could name them or guess which states they are in? You might be surprised.
Most people know that College Park Airport in Maryland is the oldest airport in the country, established in 1909.
That was followed by one clear across the country — Pearson Field in Vancouver, Washington — which was established in 1911.
Other airports followed in Texas, California, Illinois, Minnesota, Florida, New York, and South Carolina.
Read the full blog here to find out all about those historic airports.
And then there is the wonderful web site of Paul and Terry Freeman. All the “FORGOTTEN” airports 😎
In the past year, entries for an additional 91 airfields have been added to the “Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields” website at http://www.airfieldsfreeman.com. This brings the site’s coverage to a total of 2,694 airfields, across all 50 states.
KTAN in MA was 1919 and the original grass/dirt runway is still active.
Are you any relation to Sherman Lutz operator of SCE (closed) in State College, PA?
https://www.kgun9.com/absolutely-az/the-long-forgotten-history-of-the-douglas-airport
Little Douglas, Arizona may not have the glamour of some others on this oldest list but is from the 1920s and has the added distinction of being the first International US airport. While tucked away in the far southeastern corner of AZ on the US Mexico border it still operates and hold a special place in Arizona and US aviation history.
They left out the little airport that time forgot, Flabob airport (KRIR) in southern California in operation since 1925 and home to EAA chapter #1.
https://www.flyingmag.com/pilots-places-fly-dine-flabob-airport-krir-little-airport-time-forgot/
Not even close. The oldest airports were used on the first mail route. Were they referring to the oldest AIRLINE airports?
I’m sure the list was of only old airports that remain open as airports. Janice Woods, who wrote this, may have just accidentally omitted that info.
then there’s Bowman Field KLOU continuously operating since 1919….
Robertson Airport, Plainville, CT, 4B8, where I’m based, said to have opened in 1911 – oldest airport in CT.