Airports Sites

Although the exact dates and type of work are not known, the WPA worked on the Santa Rosa Municipal Airport sometime between 1935 and 1939, as noted in Lawson final report on the Works Progress Administration. A source on the airport describes its history in the following way: "The original airport for the town of Santa Rosa was a small field located on the northwest side of Santa Rosa. The date of construction of the Santa Rosa Municipal Airport has not been determined. The earliest depiction which has been located of the Santa Rosa Municipal Airport was on the October 29, 1929...

"The airport’s beginnings date back to early 1939 when government and business leaders from Sarasota and Manatee counties agreed to construct an airport together, designed to serve the aviation needs of the two-county area. A 620-acre site was selected on the Sarasota-Manatee County line through a Federal WPA-CCA Grant...Aviation facilities were completed by early 1942 at a cost of nearly one million dollars. The Authority leased the land to the Army Air Corps later in 1942 as a fighter pilot training base during World War II. During the war, the federal government spent several million dollars in improvements at Sarasota...

Multiple New Deal work relief agencies were involved in the development of what is now known as Sheridan County Airport. The Civil Works Administration (CWA) began and Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) completed improvement work at the Sheridan Airport, in one project. The work included the building of runways. Per a DoD report, a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project involved: "Improve Sheridan Municipal Airport by extending and paving runways, taxiways, sanitary sewers, cattle guard and gate, drainage, lighting." WPA Project No. 265-1-83-24; cost: $9,000; sponsor: Sheridan County.

The Civil Works Administration (CWA) worked to construct / develop an airport in Saratoga, Wyoming, likely the airport now known as Shively Field.

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted a large development / improvement program at the City of Bridgeport's municipal airport, located in Stratford. It is now known as Sikorsky Memorial Airport. Official Project Number: 165‐1‐15‐34 Total project cost: $1,053,827.00 Sponsor: City of Bridgeport

"Federal New Deal employment programs of the Great Depression further upgraded the airfield. In 1933, the Commerce Department’s Aeronautics Branch and the Civil Works Administration (CWA) began a nationwide program of airport development. The CWA funded 13,108 man-hours of labor on Baer Field in 1933 alone, including drainage, lighting, sodding, tree removal, improved heating systems, improved parking areas, and the creation of flowerbeds. By 1934, the airport had improved the concrete runways and aprons, and in 1935 and 1936, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) funded more concrete pavement, lighting upgrades, and radio communication equipment. Old Baer Field was one of...

"In 1937 WPA funds were granted to Snohomish County Airport. $225,000 was granted by the War Department who oversaw all airport construction and renovation between 1933 and 1938."

The WPA built one main runway and two cross runways, in addition to such things as ditches for drainage, fences and a new hangar roof.

Works Progress Administration (WPA) crews built the Salt Lake City Municipal Airport II, now known as South Valley Regional Airport, in 1942.

The Spartanburg Municipal Airport opened in 1927. The Civil Works Administration graded the field, erected two runways and completed a new lighting system in 1933-1934. Work was noted to be started by 22 December 1933 and was to be completed by 15 February 1934. A Spartanburg Herald 1933 article noted that the city sought out an appropriation of $200,000 for the improvement program.

Previously known as Sunset Field, the property was renamed Geiger Field in 1941 and eventually became the Spokane International Airport. After the city leased the area to the military in 1939, the WPA and the army jointly cleared and leveled the land and prepared the runways.

This small airport was part of a massive upgrading of the airports in the state after a January 1934 survey by Capt. Harry M. Jones with the intention of building a chain of airports in coastal towns, inland towns, and lake resorts. The airfield was originally built in 1935 by the Maine Emergency Relief Administration, a state division of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration. It built 1 NW - SE 2,300 x 300 graded runway. It was listed as Calais in the MERA report. "St. Croix Airport apparently was closed at some point between 1996-2004."

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) worked to develop and improve what was then the municipal airport in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The airport is no longer extant. WPA Project No. 165-1-12-32

A 1940 WPA publication cites the WPA as having worked on the Davis State Forestry Airport sometime between 1935 and 1939. Although the exact date and extent of involvement is not known, the airport appears to have been built in the late 30s, so it is likely that the WPA was involved in the entire operation. A separate source on airfields gives the following information about the airfield: "The airfield at the State Nursery may not have yet been formally established by 1938, as it was not listed among active airfields in The Airport Directory Company's 1938 Airport Directory. The earliest aeronautical chart...

Steven A. Bean Municipal Airport (FAA LID: 8B0) is a town owned, public use airport located two nautical miles (4 km) northwest of the central business district of Rangeley, a town in Franklin County, Maine. It has one runway designated 14/32 with an asphalt surface measuring 3,201 by 75 feet (976 x 23 m). For the 12-month period ending August 16, 2010, the airport had 12,350 aircraft operations, an average of 33 per day: 97% general aviation, 2% military, and <1% air taxi. At that time there were 6 aircraft based at this airport: 100% single-engine. This airport was originally developed...

Stinson Field was established by the Stinson family at this location in 1916. The family were accomplished aviators and had been running a flying school at nearby Fort Sam Houston prior to leasing this 500 acre plot of land from the city of San Antonio. The field was the training sight of many military aviators before, during and after World War I. Charles Lindberg kept an airplane at the field while he was stationed at Brooks Field. The field was briefly known as Windburn Field in memory of a reporter who died in an airplane crash; the field was re-named...

What was then Stout Field was developed as part of a massive New Deal project, with funds and labor provided by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). It is sometimes difficult, from sources, to differentiate work done at this facility and work conducted at what is now Indianapolis International Airport. Some of these references may instead apply to that airport, another site of extensive WPA work. Per The Indianapolis Star, "More than 600 WPA workers also prepared Stout Field for entry into World War II by upgrading the facility that had originally opened in 1927. The control tower and hangar were designed...

These WPA archive photos show WPA electricians, mechanics, and workmen installing a new power plant and field lights at Syracuse Municipal Airport. The airport closed down in the late 1940s.

"The development of Drew Field was a WPA project of major importance... In 1933, when Tampa began planning projects to provide work for the unemployed with federal assistance, Drew Field came back into the picture.  The city's lease on the 160-acre tract had expired, but the city finally succeeded after much squabbling, in buying it for $11,654, the amount at which it was appraised by the Tampa Real Estate Board.  This purchase was made on Feb. 10, 1934. Work on improving the field was started as a CWA project 10 days later, $31,000 being allotted for it by the government. ...

'These twin hangars were constructed for permanent use to be part of a future flying field but were made available for temporary use by the exposition. Each structure has mechanically operated doors 200 feet wide and 40 feet high with a possible increase in height to 65 feet at the centers. A one-story shop wing 40 feet wide extends along one side of each building. The two structures were completed in June 1938 at a total cost for both of $709,239.'--Short and Brown, p. 534. The west hangar was the Hall of Transportation and the east hangar was the Palace of...

"Late in the ’30s, the Works Progress Administration built the Tri-City Airport in Endicott, N.Y."

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) helped to construct what was then known as McKellar Field during the Great Depression. Two runways of hard surface material, one 4,000 feet and one 3,000 feet, a two-story administration building with control tower, hangar, water supply system, lighting system, and drainage system were constructed the public airport, which served Kingsport, Bristol, Johnson City, and Sullivan County. At the time of construction it was the largest of the state's WPA airport projects, and cost $800,000 (not adjusted for inflation). The facility is now known as Tri-Cities Regional Airport.

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted a massive development / improvement program at what is now known as Tweed New Haven Airport. Official Project Number: 165‐1‐15‐30 Total project cost: $3,031,708.00 Sponsor: City of New Haven

Between 1935 and 1939 the WPA maintained, expanded, and improved Suiter Field (now Upolu Airport). Upolu still operates today as a small regional airport.

The airport at Virginia Tech, now known as Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport, was enlarged as part of a Work Projects Administration (WPA) project completed in 1940.

The Visalia Municipal airport was founded in 1927. In 1941, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) spent $375,000 improving the airport.  The work included the construction of a new terminal building and a new, longer runway of nearly 5000 feet. WPA work ceased when the War Department took control of the airport in 1942 with the onset of the Second World War. It is unknown if the current terminal building (pictured) is the one built by the WPA or if any other buildings remain from that time.

The Civil Works Administration (CWA) began and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) completed improvement work at the former Wardwell Field airport. The airport, which was six miles north of Casper, is no longer extant; the former airport property is now the site of the town of Bar Nunn. Casper Star-Tribune: "The largest of all work relief projects was the new airport and runways at Wardwell field, completed at a cost of $93,357, itemized as follows: CWA, $46,809; ERA, $12,710; county, $33,838. Wardwell field six miles north on the Salt Creek highway ... The project included construction of an ample,...

A stone airport hangar at Watertown Regional Airport in South Dakota was constructed by the federal Civil Works Administration (CWA) during the Great Depression. The exact location and status of tis structure is presently unknown to Living New Deal.

A 3000' sod airfield that operated from 1925 to 1941 next to the golf course, After 1927 supplies were regularly flown in to supply the large hotel complex. A WPA project Oct. 10, 1935 mentions construction both at Mariposa and Wawona. WPA project 79697. The amount spent was $86,554.

The Works Progress Administration extended and built additional facilities for the Wertz Airport in Charleston. The additions included an administration building. The airport serves today under the name Yeager Airport. In 1930 Wertz field was developed in Institute. Operated by West Virginia Airways, Inc the field was named after Charleston Mayor W.W. Wertz. Commercial flight began with American Airlines in 1933 from the same field. The field was a popular site for air shows. The WPA added improvements to the airport with “grading, ditch-digging and other work” by late 1936. Just after this West Virginia State College began the Civilian Pilot Training Program in...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted a massive improvement and development project at what was then a municipal airport (now Westerly State Airport), in Westerly, Rhode Island. Description: "Excavate, grade, surface runways install lighting and drainage at the Westerly Airport." WPA Project No. 165‐1‐16‐135; $1,149,411. Sponsor: State of Rhode Island

Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) labor worked to develop what is now Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport, then Westfield Air Base. Project details: "Make improvements at airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐14‐237 Total project cost: $1,178,513.00 Sponsor: Mayor, City of Westfield "Improve field by clearing, grubbing, and landscaping" Official Project Number: 265‐3‐14‐78 Total project cost: $1,140,506.00 Sponsor: War Department, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer, Providence

"President Roosevelt signed a $750,000 Works Progress Administration (WPA) project bill for the air base's construction in November 1939. Fourteen hundred WPA and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) workers cleared the land, and actual construction was started in February 1940." W.P.A. project information: "Construct and improve facilities and grounds" Official Project Number: 165‐3‐14‐23 Total project cost: $4,197,055.00 Sponsor: War Department, District Engineer, Corps of Engineers "Construct telephone system" Official Project Number: 165‐3‐14‐340 Total project cost: $98,526.00 Sponsor: Commanding General, 1st Corps Area, U.S. Army "Construct and improve facilities and grounds" Official Project Number: 65‐3‐14‐715 Total project cost: $1,497,384.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Northeast Air Base, Constructing Quartermaster, Westover Field, U.S. Army

"In 1934, Wylie Apte accepted their offer and became the manager of the airport operations at the White Mountain Airport. Wylie persuaded the White Mountain Airport Corporation to clear away the trees so that he could taxi near the highway, and in 1935 a WPA project cleared off the stumps and enlarged the runway to 1,500 feet (460 m)." The WPA also constructed a hangar at the airport. No longer in operation, the airport is no longer extant.

Now officially Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, what was originally Wichita Municipal Airport was improved and developed by the W.P.A. during the 1930s. Improvement work included paving the runways.

"The Wyoming Valley Airport, located in Forty Fort and Wyoming and built in the 1920s, was expanded and given a paved runway through WPA, enabling it to handle passenger and freight traffic – including early air mail -- and help train World War II pilots." (timesleader.com)

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted development / improvement projects at Windham Airport. "Improve airport" Official Project Numbers: 165‐1‐15‐159, 165‐1‐15‐83 Total project cost: $190,377.00 (per project) Sponsor: Town of Windham "Extend landing strips and runways, clear land, grade, drain and pave; install drainage and lighting facilities at Windham Airport." Official Project Number: 265‐1‐15‐67 Total project cost: $695,303.00 Sponsor: State of Connecticut, Department of Public Works

The Civil Works Administration (CWA) worked to construct / develop an airport in Cody, Wyoming. The airport is likely a precursor on the same site as what is now Yellowstone Regional Airport.

The airport which began service July 1st 1941 carried both passengers and mail. According to the Youngstown Vindicator: "In the mid 1930s, the chambers of commerce of Warren, Youngstown, Niles, Hubbard and Sharon, Pa., decided to make the airport project a community effort. In January 1937, a committee that included William F. Maag Jr., then-publisher of The Vindicator, went to Washington to secure Works Progress Administration funds. Eventually, Youngstown took over the whole $2.6 million WPA project. Land for the airport was obtained with the help of Maag and construction began in June 1939. Once again it appeared Youngstown would...