Sierra Sky Park

May 26, 2006

1. Sierra Sky Park Marker

Inscription. Established October 23, 1946 as America's first aviation community. Through the efforts of Wm. and Doris Smilie, 130 acres of rolling "hog-wallow" and hardpan were transformed into a public use airport, with a sod runway, connecting taxi-way and extra wide streets. This combination would set the precedent for hundreds of similar communities through out the United States and the world. It would allow aviation oriented families to experience the dream of having an aircraft in their own yards and the camaraderie of neighbors with similar dreams.

Erected 1996 by Jim Savage Chapter 1852, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 23, 1946.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 36° 50.357′ N, 119° 52.169′ W. Marker was in Fresno, California, in Fresno County. It was on North Doolittle Drive 0.1 miles south of West Spaatz Avenue, on the left when traveling south. North Doolittle and West Spaatz are both streets fully contained within the boundaries

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of Sierra Sky Park. The marker was below the berm landing strip along Doolittle Drive. The airport moved the marker from its original location to a location north of the airport landing strip. Current GPS coordinates are not know at this time. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 4344 W Spaatz Ave, Fresno CA 93722, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It was also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it was 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 found itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Forestiere Underground Gardens (approx. 2.3 miles away); William Saroyan House Museum (approx. 3.7 miles away); Christmas Tree Lane (approx. 4.1 miles away); Korea "The Forgotten War" (approx. 6.6 miles away); French Merci Train Boxcar

Photographed by Lester J Letson, August 15, 2005

2. Sierra Sky Park Marker

(approx. 6.6 miles away); French Merci Train Boxcar Cover (approx. 6.6 miles away); Fort Washington (approx. 6.9 miles away); Fresno Technical School (approx. 8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fresno.

Another marker is no longer nearby. "100th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Railroad to the San Joaquin Valley" (was approx. 7.6 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. Marker was moved by Sierra Sky Park for a re-alignment of the landing strip. Marker is now located at the north end of the airstrip by verbal notice. No one has taken new GPS coordinates for new location yet

Also see . . . Youtube video of Sierra Sky Park including a view of the historical marker. (Submitted on October 28, 2014, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California.)

Sierra Sky Park dedications image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, October 5, 1996

3. Sierra Sky Park dedications

Members of E Clampus Vitus pose behind the marker during the dedication in 1996.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2014, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 1,488 times since then and 66 times this year. Last updated on December 19, 2025, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 28, 2014, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Location of the marker once it has been re-installed. • Can you help?