Long Beach Airport in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Long Beach Airport Terminal

"Daugherty Field"

— Historic Landmark —

Long Beach Airport Terminal Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, June 25, 2016

1. Long Beach Airport Terminal Marker

Inscription.
Long Beach was a center for early aviation, and established the first municipal airport in Southern California here in 1924. It was originally named "Daugherty Field" for aviation pioneer Earl S. Daugherty, who had a flying school nearby and who lobbied successfully for establishing this airport. Aviation is one of the pillars of the city's history and economy. The building is a masterpiece of early architecture and contains unique ceramic mosaic floor murals.

Erected 1990 by City of Long Beach Cultural Heritage Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 33° 49.098′ N, 118° 8.677′ W. Marker is in Long Beach, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Long Beach Airport. It is on Donald Douglas Drive west of Lakewood Boulevard, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4100 Donald Douglas Dr, Long Beach CA 90808, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bay of Smokes (within shouting distance of this marker); First Around the World Globe

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(approx. 0.6 miles away); Douglas Park (approx. 0.6 miles away); Cover Street (approx. 0.6 miles away); Worsham Avenue (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named First Around the World Globe (approx. 0.7 miles away); Seven Decades of Aircraft Production (approx. 0.8 miles away); October 17, 1941 (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Long Beach.

Regarding Long Beach Airport Terminal. Inside are ceramic tile floor mosaics by artist Grace Clements, a project of the federal Public Works Administration (WPA). The terminal and floor murals were restored for the 100th anniversary in 2024.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, June 25, 2016

2. Long Beach Airport Terminal Marker

Photographed by Adam Margolis

3. Long Beach Airport Terminal Marker

<i>Administration Building at Long Beach Municipal Airport</i> image. Click for full size.

courtesy of Long Beach Firemen's Historical Museum and CSU Dominguez Hills, May 14, 1958

4. Administration Building at Long Beach Municipal Airport

"Cars park in front of Long Beach Municipal Airport's Art Deco style terminal and Administration Building. Lettering on the building indicate airport's other name: Daugherty Field. Signs near doors note Clouds Restaurant and Coffee Shop inside the building."

Floor Murals image. Click for full size.

courtesy Brandon Richardson/Long Beach Business Journal

5. Floor Murals

Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 644 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 7, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 4. submitted on January 18, 2022. 5. submitted on December 23, 2024. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.