Airports Sites

Construction of New York's LaGuardia Airport was among the largest undertakings of the New Deal's Works Progress Administration (WPA) and included both today's main airport (then the "landplane field") and what is now the Marine Air Terminal (then the "seaplane division"). The airport was constructed between 1937 and 1939 and dedicated in March 1940. At the time it was among the most advanced airports in the world. The 1939 WPA Guide to New York City (p.567) describes the new project: "The seaplane division is designed to accommodate regular transaltlantic airplane travel and will be used by Pan American Airways, Air France Transatlantique,...

“United States Marine Corps Airbase—The completion during the year of a P.W.A. project for the construction of a Marine Corps airbase at Lindbergh Bay estate has been important both because it has given employment to local labor and because it has established a permanent base for the marine unit stationed at St. Thomas. Extensive aviation maneuvers were carried on in the winter months using this newly established air field as a base. Further maneuvers are planned for the coming year, and it is believed that the facilities at Lindbergh Bay will continue to attract similar activities in the future which...

This New Deal airport, originally known as Mt. Bullion Airfield, was constructed as relief work paid for by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) c. 1934-35 (New York Times 1935). It was later improved by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) c 1938-39.  On August 4, 1938, the Fresno Bee reported: "Improvement of the Mt. Bullion Airport, completion of the forest service road from Acorn Inn to Darrah and work on the part of the route already existing is foreseen as a result of action taken by the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors. The work will be done with the assistance of the Works Progress...

Built between 1936 and 1939, just prior to and in preparation for WWII. It is now an office park but several of the buildings remain.

McGhee Tyson Airport was constructed by the Works Progress Administration, a New Deal program. Tennessee Encyclopedia: "Some of Tennessee's largest WPA projects reflected the arrival of the age of flight. WPA workers ... built major airports in Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Nashville, and at the Tri-Cities." Van West: "In its brief existence during the winter of 1933-34, the CWA began planning for the development of a major airport between Knoxville and the company town of Alcoa in Blound County. Officials in both Knoxville and Blount County wanted a rural location so the airport could easily expand in the future; the Alcoa Highway (U.S....

McKellar–Sipes Regional Airport was developed by the Works Progress Administration, a New Deal program. Tennessee Encyclopedia: "Some of Tennessee's largest WPA projects reflected the arrival of the age of flight. WPA workers helped complete landing fields and airports at Jellico, Cookeville, Lebanon, Jackson, and Milan."

"McKinnon worked tirelessly to secure Works Progress Administration and other federal funds. In 1933, Coffin and Jones donated a sizeable tract of land for the new airport. The major portion of the Sea Island Co. land was once part of the Retreat Plantation. Glynn County purchased adjoining tracts, fragments of the old Kelvin Grove Plantation, and other privately owned parcels for the new airport. As land was being cleared in 1935, workers discovered evidence of a Native American settlement beneath the soil that had grown famed Sea Island cotton in the 19th century. Work was halted to allow archaeologists from the...

Memphis International Airport was developed in part by the Works Progress Administration, a New Deal program. Tennessee Encyclopedia: "Some of Tennessee's largest WPA projects reflected the arrival of the age of flight. WPA workers ... built major airports in Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Nashville, and at the Tri-Cities."

Both the original Merced Municipal Airport and the newer airport at this site were built with WPA funds. The earlier airport "was located off Highway 99 at the intersection of Snelling Road near the Santa Fe Railroad, three miles northwest of the city of Merced. Dedicated on 3 April 1932, the City of Merced had sought to expand its 66-acre site to 123.25 acres utilizing Works Project Administration (WPA) funds and in May 1936 had begun the task of expanding the property, grading and drainage of the field, construction of one 8-hangar unit and a cobble stone administration building." - https://www.militarymuseum.org/NewMercedAuxField.html "In 1940,...

This small airport was originally built as Glenn Curtiss Field in the early 1900s and became the Miami Municipal Airport in 1928. It was later renamed Amelia Earhart Field "in honor of the famous aviatrix stopping there on her ill-fated flight around the world in 1937." The airport closed in the 1950s. (www.pbase.com) The archival photo pictured here describes WPA improvements to the site in the 1930s: "A view from the Control Tower recently erected by the WPA at the Miami Municipal Airport showing the work which has been done. In front of the hangar is the new apron from which...

The federal Works Progresss Administration (WPA) constructed what is now Middlesboro Bell County Airport; the airport was completed in 1936.

"Millinocket Municipal Airport is operated by the Town of Millinocket. Located on Medway Road, the airport has been in existence since the 1930's when it was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the W.P.A. The airport has two runways, a main terminal, 3 municipally owned hangers, 3 privately owned hangers and 13 tie-downs." Under MERA it received a 2400 x 110 graded cinder runway and a 2000 x 100 graded cinder runway. The town selectman report in 1937 remarked that ninety men were employed and work was progressing satisfactorily. $ 29,066.08 had been spent by 1937 on the construction."   (https://www.millinocket.org) W.P.A. project...

"The Millville airport was dedicated on August 2, 1941, by local, state, and federal officials. The first contingent of Air Corps personnel arrived on 17 December 1942. In less than a year construction of base facilities began, and in January 1943, the Millville Army Air Field opened as a United States Army Air Forces gunnery school for fighter pilots. It was assigned to First Air Force." The Work Projects Administration (WPA) undertook a $740,593.00 project to construct the airport, sponsored by the War Department. Official Project Number: 165‐1‐22‐337.

The Moberly Airport was a WPA project with a total expenditure of $500,000. The city provided $25,000.  It was named after famous son, General Omar Bradley in 1943.

Multiple New Deal agencies were involved in the development of what is now known as Mobile Regional Airport. The Works Progress Administration built runways; and the Civil Works Administration oversaw the construction of terminal buildings and hangars.

Between 1935 and 1942, “the WPA aided the Territory with funds to gradually enlarge and improve the field which was originally a dirt strip (source note 1).

Youth employed by the National Youth Administration carried out maintenance work at the Mona Airfield on Mona Island. “Campos is one of the Mona boys engaged in clearing and maintaining the Mona Air Field, strategic L-shaped landing field controlling historic Mona Passage midway between Santo Domingo and Puerto Rico. Campos is also champion boxer of the project.”

The Work Projects Administration (W.P.A.) undertook construction and development work at what was then Moore Army Airfield, a part of Fort Devens development. "Clear small brush and prepare for construction of a landing field" Official Project Number: 165‐14‐4057 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Devens, U.S. Army "Improve air field" Official Project Number: 165‐3‐14‐528 Total project cost: $624,000.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Devens, U.S. Army "Improve airport" Official Project Number: 165‐3‐14‐628 Total project cost: $514,000.00 Sponsor: War Department "Develop landing field" Official Project Number: 565‐14‐1‐32 Total project cost: $80,989.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Devens, U.S. Army

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the Morgantown Airport in Morgantown. Pictured are WPA crews grading and leveling the runways of the new airfield, in 1936.  

“Work was started on the Morristown Municipal Airport this morning by an engineering party ….It is expected that about 100 men will be put to work tomorrow and Wednesday will see the balance of the men at work… The money that is being allocated to Morristown is an outright grant from the Federal government through the Department of Commerce and has no conditions accompanying it except that at least eighty percent of it be spent for labor….this money…had been designated for airport development and can only be used for such work. Morristown is especially fortunate in securing this grant, which...

Ocean City Municipal Airport in New Jersey was constructed as a New Deal project, with the aid of Civil Works Administration (CWA) labor, in 1934. The facility officially opened in 1935, and it is still in service.

This place is extraordinary, a reminder of the days when air travel was a special occasion for which one dressed up. There's a fireplace in the comfortable waiting lobby, and fountains where you stroll outside to board the planes. It's built with traditional adobe methods, with an abundance of artfully crafted detail. There's also quite a bit of artwork, much of it New Deal-era, displayed in the former waiting lounge. The building currently houses Homeland Security for the Albuquerque Sunport airport, but it is open to the public (sort of.) You can walk in, and walk around the building. The...

Asheville, North Carolina's old airport (since replaced by Asheville Regional Airport, which is located at a different site) was developed in part by the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA). "The Federal Works Progress Administration spends $170,000 to build one paved and two sod runways." (AshevilleNC.gov) The airport was reputedly located in the nearby town of Fletcher, and is most likely the airport that had been known as Asheville-Hendersonville Airport, which is long gone. The facility was located at the site of the present 4NC6: Cane Creek Airport, at the coordinates provided.

"Roswell was one of four New Mexico cities designated to have an art center. The current Roswell Museum and Art Center, built in 1937, was known as the Federal Art Center. The original building has been incorporated into all the remodeling and additions since then. Cahoon Park was built in 1936 and another sunken garden planted. The old Municipal Airport, now the Unity Center for Teens, is another example of WPA funds put to good use." -Phyllis Eileen Banks

Building 228 at Keesler Air Force Base.

The Works Progress Administration built a hangar and administration building for the municipal airport in Tuscaloosa, now known as Tuscaloosa Regional Airport.

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) built a new runway for the Santa Monica Municipal Airport in 1940-41. It was one of many WPA airport projects completed in the run-up to the Second World War. Santa Monica was, at the time, a key locale for aircraft development and production. "Designed especially for the heavier and faster craft of today, the new WPA-built runway, from which the famed B-19 took off on her maiden flight, was a certified national defense project sponsored by the city of Santa Monica. Begun December 30, 1940, the runway project more recently was classified as an 'expedite'...

In 1940-41, the Work Projects Administration (WPA) made a major upgrade to the Long Beach Airport, then known as Daugherty Field, which had been constructed in 1923.  WPA relief workers improved the airport runways and constructed a new terminal building. The project employed roughly 1,000 relief workers. Exactly what runway improvements were done is unknown to us. "The were completed and scheduled for grand opening on December 7, 1941, the day Pearl Harbor was attacked. Instead, it was repainted in camouflage and used a billet for soldiers and military guns. The terminal formally opened on April 26, 1942" (Schipske). The runways,...

In 1940-41, the Works Projects Administration (WPA) made major improvements to the Long Beach Airport, then known as Daugherty Field. WPA relief workers constructed a new terminal and control tower building. The two-story terminal was designed by Horace Austin and Kenneth Wing in the Streamline Moderne style, with a nautical touch. The mosaics inside the building are the work of WPA-artist Grace Richardson Clements. "In the late 1930s, the council approved plans to purchase 255 acres adjoining the municipal airport and the construction of a three-story administration building and tower at the east side of the airfield. The airfield was improved...

Municipal reports for fiscal year 1934 document that the town voted & raised $591 for a C.W.A road project. No details are given as to what was worked on. The 1936 report explains that federal money was spent constructed a road to the local airport as well. The airport itself also received federal funding under FERA, acquiring a 1400 x 100 gravel runway and a 600 x 100 additional feet of construction for existing runways.

The Works Progress Administration constructed concrete runways in 1941 at the newly established Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. The base was closed in 1993; Myrtle Beach International Airport occupies the former Air Force Base site and much of the land of the former base is still in the process of redevelopment for civilian purposes.

Nashua Airport at Boire Field is a public use airport located northwest of Nashua. Municipal reports from the 1930s detail New Deal assistance building the airport. A 1934 report explained that local authorities had been authorized to buy land, which was "acquired to be developed as a C. W. A. Project, and to be used as an Airport." Work on the project by the CWA and FERA began that year. The 1935 report stated that with FERA support a "modern brick hangar and administration building" were erected. More of the landing field was prepared. In 1936, the WPA began helping with...

Nashville International Airport was first constructed by the Works Progress Administration, a New Deal program. Tennessee Encyclopedia: "Some of Tennessee's largest WPA projects reflected the arrival of the age of flight. WPA workers ... built major airports in Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Nashville, and at the Tri-Cities." FlyNashville: "Nashville’s first airport opened in June 1937, culminating a two-year process that began with the selection of a 340-acre site located along the Dixie Highway (now Murfreesboro Road) and built as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project. Named in honor of Colonel Harry S. Berry, state administrator of the WPA, Berry Field consisted of a terminal building,...

The Works Progress Administration built a National Guard Squadron facility at the Municipal Airport in Birmingham, in 1936.

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted improvement and development work at the Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, New Jersey. WPA project details: "Construct and rehabilitate buildings and facilities" Official Project Number: 109‐3‐22‐13 Total project cost: $10,000.00 Sponsor: U.S. Navy Department "Make improvements at Naval Air Station" Official Project Number: 165‐2‐22‐391 Total project cost: $22,758.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Lakehurst Naval Air Station, U.S. Navy "Excavate, clear, and level grounds, and provide bridges, roads, and fences" Official Project Number: 265‐2‐22‐40 Total project cost: $153,464.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Lakehurst Naval Air Station, U.S. Navy "Improvements at Lakehurst NAS" Official Project Number: 709‐2‐44 Total project cost: $16,107.00 Sponsor: U.S. Navy Department "Improvements at Lakehurst NAS" Official Project...

The former Squantum Naval Reserve Aviation Base / Naval Air Station was improved and expanded in part during the 1930s with federal Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) funds and labor. W.P.A. project details: "Install telephone systems" Official Project Number: 165‐14‐4005 Total project cost: $16,633.00 Sponsor: U.S. Navy Department "Erect building" Official Project Number: 265‐14‐4004 Total project cost: $14,027.00 Sponsor: U.S. Navy Department "Demolish building and salvage material, and rough grade area" Official Project Number: 265‐14‐4010 Total project cost: $82,161.00 Sponsor: U.S. Naval Reserve, Mayor, City of Quincy "Enlarge flying field and improve drainage" Official Project Number: 265‐14‐4013 Total project cost: $132,165.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Aviation Base, U.S. Naval Reserve "Construct ditches and grade field" Official...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the airport in Nevada City. In mid 1935, $10,547 from the WPA went into "Airport improvements." WPA Proj. No. 79703, $10,547, Oct. 18, 1935. According to Paul Freeman of the Abandoned Airfields website, "the 1948 USGS topo map depicted the 'Nevada City Airport' as having 2 runways, with 5 small buildings adjacent to the south side, and a 'Historic Monument' on the north side. An article entitled 'Nevada City's Old Airport – What Now' in the 12/21/81 The Independent (courtesy of Greg Archbald), the airport became inactive in 1961 after a fire consumed the hangars. It 'was...

The Works Progress Administration had an active presence in New Bedford, providing funds for massive construction and city improvement efforts. Suggestions for an airfield near New Bedford first appear in documents from 1936, proposing a route “via Fall River and New Bedford to some centrally located point on Cape Cod. This route would be used mainly for summer traffic.” However, formal discussions do not appear until March of 1939, where it was proposed as a Works Project Administration project. Work on the New Bedford airfields officially began on April 9, 1940. It was dedicated a little over two years later,...

The original Newark Airport terminal building, then known as Building 1, was built in 1934-35 with New Deal funding.  Newark Airport holds a special place in aviation history, with the first paved runway and the first terminal that provided a designated place for passengers and a restaurant. It has been called, by one preservationist, "...the single most important and historic passenger facility in the world" and a model for all that followed. (Quote here) It is an Art Deco gem, the work of architect John Homlish (an extensive tour of the building and its details, with fine photographs, can be found...

New Deal agencies greatly improved the Newark Airport, opened in 1928, during the 1930s.  The Public Works Administration (PWA) supplied a $31,635 grant toward an airport repair project whose final cost was $129,978 (PWA Docket No. NJ 1146). Construction on this project occurred between October 1933 and March 1935.   In 1935, $3,500,000 was allocated by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) for the improvement of Newark Metropolitan Airport.  The details of the work are uncertain, but probably included completion of the new Terminal (Administration) Building and new runways.