E.P. Dedicated first Municipal Airport In 1928

September 11, 1968

It was a memorable day, 40 years ago, when El Paso dedicated its first Mnmcipal Airport.

With one small hangar and no artificial runways, that first airport was primitive compared to the present International Airport. But among the 10,000 El Fasoans assembled for the dedication therewere those who lad envisioned a new age of aviation ahead.

ONE OF THESE was Mayor R. E. Thomason, now a federal judge, who was the main speaker at the dedication on the afternoon of Sept. 8, 1928.

"Today we drive another stake in the progress of El Paso," Mayor Thompson said, speaking at a makeshift podium under a striped tent. "This city today becomes one of the country's future air centers.

To take its first step Into the dawning era of commercial aviation, El Paso chose for its airport the only City land available, a 260-acre tract inside the angle, formed by Fred Wilson road and the
Southern Pacific tracks. Across the tracks to the west was what is now the Ft. Bliss Golf Course. To the east lay the Cavalry and Artillery drill ground that had been established as a military flying field in 1918 because of the depredations of Pancho Villa. This later became Biggs Field.

ONE OF THE PRIME movers in efforts to create a civilian airport was pioneer aviator Stacy Hinkle of El Paso, who recalls that the original-inspiration for the-project came indirectly from Charles A. Lindberg.

Following his historic trans-Atlantic flight, Lindberg made a goodwill tour of various U.S. cities, including El Paso. In August of 1927, planning,a big reception for the famous flier, Mayor Tbomason asked 10 World War I aviators, including Mr. Hinkle, to drive official cars in a motorcade downtown.

These flying men and others met on Sept. I6 1927 to form  an Aero Club. Its main objectives were t0 get a municipal airport, commercial airlines and air mail service for El Paso.

THE CLUB appointed Hinkle and Fred Wilson, also an ex-Army flier, to draw up plans for an airport. Their plans were approved by an airport committee named by Mayor Thomason and headed by Alderman Robert N. Mullin.

They recommended expenditure of $25,000 for clearing and grading, a hangar 60 by 100 feet; boundary lights and a rotating searchlight to guide pilots . Unfortunately, no money was available.

Finally the County agreed to spend $3500 for clearing the land, after Alderman Mullin got a ruling from County Atty. Dave Mulcahy that a municipal airport could be classed as a public highway.

Then the City figured out a. way to issue tax-pledged 'warrants to be redeemed in 1929 by a $32,000
bond issue.

MAYOR THOMASON and the City councilmen, R. E. Sherman,- W.S. Berkshire, R. E. McKee and A. B. Poe. okayed the plans and work proceeded. The Mayor appointed Arthur E. Johnson, formerly
of the 12th Aero Squadron at Ft. Bliss, airport manager.

The new airport got off to a flying start. On the day before the dedication, Rayma L. (Andy) Andrews, a World War I pilot, landed at the field and was greeted by Manager Johnson: "You are  the first  one to land,  Andy. How many gallons of gas do you need?"

Mr. Andrews flew on to Tucson that afternoon to make preparations to receive fliers in a National Air Derby between New York and Los Angeles. Some of the racers landed the next day during
dedication ceremonies.

IN HIS DEDICATION speech, Mayor Thomason paid tribute to three El Paso aviators who gave their lives for their country: Lt. James B. Biggs, for whom Biggs Field was named in 1925; Lt. Bruce
Strothers and Lt. Ben Jenkins, all victims of-air crashes.

Arthur M. Lockhart was master of ceremonies. Frank B. Fletcher of the Chamber of Commerce spoke on "Value of a Municiapl Airport on a Transcontinental Airway."

Brig. Gen. George v. Moseley, Ft. Bliss commander, attended the ceremony. at his request the Army sent 21 airplanes from Kelly Field to thrill the large crowd with aerial acrobatics. Three days later Amelia Earhart, who had flown the Atlantic, landed at the new airport.

Over the years El Paso's municipal airport has grown from a $25,000 investment into a $30 million complex, fulfulling the needs of the jet age. It also bears out Mayor Thomason's prediction of 40 years ago that El Paso was to become a great air center.

Comments

[madmangunner]

I really appreciate these looks into El Paso's past.
Really great stuff that I'm sure is not hard to come by. Any chance of looking into the story about the cavern under the Murchison street area?
I don't know exactly when it first was discovered, but supposedly workers laying down sewer lines in the area tapped into a huge cavern with running water, but were told to cover it up.

[madmangunner]

Oops! Meant to say not EASY to come by!