Grand Central in Glendale in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Grand Central Air Terminal
1930
Grand Central Air Terminal is an intact example of an early airport passenger terminal and serves as a physical record of pivotal events that helped shape the development of air travel and the aviation industry in Southern California.
The air terminal attracted renowned aviators including Amelia Earhart, Howard Hughes, and Charles Lindbergh; became the base of operations for aircraft designers and manufacturers; and served as the west coast terminus of the first regularly scheduled transcontinental commercial passenger air service.
An integral part of the burgeoning film industry, the airport was a favorite arrival and departure point for film stars and studio moguls. The terminal was also a popular filming venue throughout the 1930s. The building is a rare example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture with art deco influences applied to the design of an early 20th century airport terminal.
Restored by The Walt Disney Company, 2012-2015.
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior, March 27, 2017.
Henry L. Gogerty FAIA, architect.
Erected 2019 by The Walt Disney Company.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space
this page online
Location. 34° 9.793′ N, 118° 17.207′ W. Marker is in Glendale, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Grand Central. It is on Air Way 0.2 miles south of Sonora Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1310 Air Way, Glendale CA 91201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s The Valley the San Fernando Valley, in Greater Los Angeles, and in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Riverside Drive Bridge (approx. 0.6 miles away); Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail (approx. 0.6 miles away); Riverside Drive - Zoo Drive Bridge (approx. 0.7 miles away); Los Angeles River (approx. one mile away); Bel Aire (approx. one mile away); Ollie Johnston Depot (approx. one mile away); Special Delivery (approx. one mile away); Wheeler House (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glendale.
Regarding Grand Central Air Terminal. The terminal building was recently purchased by Disney, completely restored, and reopened as private
Photographed by Craig Baker, August 7, 2019
2. Grand Central Air Terminal Marker
Also see . . . Reserve a Tour. Update: Tours were discontinued during the Coronavirus Pandemic and have not resumed. (Submitted on August 8, 2019.)
Photographed by Craig Baker, August 7, 2019
3. Air Terminal and Marker
The marker is at the far right.
Photographed by Craig Baker (CC0), August 7, 2019
4. Grand Central Air Terminal
Viewed from Grand Central Avenue, which was the location of the airport runway.
Photographed by Craig Baker, August 7, 2019
5. Grand Central Air Terminal
The control tower has sentinels on each corner holding an airplane propeller.
Photographed by Craig Baker, August 7, 2019
7. Entrance
Photographed by Craig Baker, August 7, 2019
8. Inside the Museum
Photographed by Craig Baker, August 7, 2019
9. Museum Display
This shows why traffic had to stop when an airplane landed.
Photographed by Craig Baker, August 7, 2019
10. Passenger Waiting Room
Now used as a conference room.
Photographed by Craig Baker, August 7, 2019
11. Outdoor Display
image courtesy of the Glendale Public Library, circa 1930
12. "Administration Building", Grand Central Airport, Glendale, Calif.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 1,495 times since then and 147 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 8, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 7, 8, 9. submitted on August 22, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 10, 11. submitted on August 28, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 12. submitted on August 21, 2019. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
