Near Lewistown in Fergus County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Pre-War Hangar
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 18, 2019
1. Pre-War Hangar Marker
Inscription.
Pre-War Hangar. . Local businessman Harrison Green established Lewistown’s first airport at this location in 1928, intending to sell it to the city or operate it as a private enterprise. The city, however, established its own airport in 1933 just across the road from Green’s runway. When airmail and air passenger service began in 1933, it quickly became obvious that the city’s airport was inadequate. It was too close to power lines and its runway was too short. After several close calls, the city negotiated relocation of its airport to Green’s facility. In 1937, this became Lewistown’s municipal airport. In 1941, the WPA improved the facility, paving the runways. This hangar first appears in aerial photographs during these improvements. It served as a hangar-field maintenance facility for private aircraft and Inland Air Lines, the commercial company serving this region, just prior to World War II. The World War II airbase sprang up around the hangar. Inland Airlines, and perhaps private pilots, likely continued to use it throughout the war as an airport utility-maintenance hangar for smaller aircraft.
Local businessman Harrison Green established Lewistown’s first airport at this location in 1928, intending to sell it to the city or operate it as a private enterprise. The city, however, established its own airport in 1933 just across the road from Green’s runway. When airmail and air passenger service began in 1933, it quickly became obvious that the city’s airport was inadequate. It was too close to power lines and its runway was too short. After several close calls, the city negotiated relocation of its airport to Green’s facility. In 1937, this became Lewistown’s municipal airport. In 1941, the WPA improved the facility, paving the runways. This hangar first appears in aerial photographs during these improvements. It served as a hangar-field maintenance facility for private aircraft and Inland Air Lines—the commercial company serving this region—just prior to World War II. The World War II airbase sprang up around the hangar. Inland Airlines, and perhaps private pilots, likely continued to use it throughout the war as an airport utility-maintenance hangar for smaller aircraft.
Erected by The Montana National Register Sign Program.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space •
Location. 47° 2.874′ N, 109° 27.395′ W. Marker is near Lewistown, Montana, in Fergus County. Marker is at the intersection of East Aztec Drive and Stratosphere Drive, on the right when traveling east on East Aztec Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lewistown MT 59457, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. This marker is located at the former Lewistown Satellite Airfield, now the Lewiston Municipal Airport.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 18, 2019
2. Pre-War Hangar and Marker
The marker is to the left of the hangar door.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 109 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 16, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
