Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then & Now Collection."
STEVE HARMON
Hutch Post Contributor
Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the northeast corner of East 4th and Airport Road.
In the late 1920s, Hutchinson's only airfield was situated on Emerson Carey's farm ground and was called "Albright Airfield" on Avenue G. Emerson's sister ran it, lived there and was married to an Albright.
In 1929, the city promoters wanted Hutchinson to have its own municipal airport. The city purchased another tract of land from Carey at 4th and Airport Road, and the city built the original airplane hangar there. The first photo shows an aerial of that hangar before Airport Road was extended to the south.
This was taken by Nation Meyer, at age 17, while earning his pilot's license. That hangar became the first Hutchinson Municipal Airport facility as shown in the second photo.
It shows a Beechcraft Travel Air biplane being fueled by a Rosier aircraft service truck in 1930.
The third photo shows the facility about 1940 as air traffic was picking up.
This hangar eventually became Rowland Wells Aircraft facility; that finally became the Dillon Companies' primary aircraft service. The fourth photo shows the hangar after it became Wells Aircraft in 1969 with a Lockheed Lodestar, Dillons aircraft in front of it.
Alas, time and age took its toll on the original hangar. The fifth photo shows it right before it was razed in March of 1991.
The sixth photo shows why all this became obsolete. In 1951, the city built a new airport facility and tower. This sixth photo shows the new Hutchinson Municipal Airport in color from the tarmac in 1954 by Nation Meyer.
To purchase a photo print, contact: sharmon5@cox.net.
Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum
Anchor Inn and Anchor Away