Dallas in Dallas County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Love Field: World War II and the 1950s

Photographed by James Hulse, May 15, 2026

1. Love Field: World War II and the 1950s Marker

Inscription.

Love Field: World War II and the 1950s. . , 1942-1945 - In support of the war effort, a rapid and extensive buildup of infrastructure occurs as Love Field becomes host to the Lockheed Aircraft Company's major repair and modification facility as well as the headquarters of the Air Transport Command's Fifth Ferrying Group., Summer 1942 - Braniff Airways transfers its corporate headquarters to Love Field from Oklahoma City. In early September, American Airlines begins the first international service from the airport with DC-3 flights to Mexico City through Fort Worth and Monterrey, Mexico., January 1943 - The first group of female pilots that will eventually become the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) arrives for duty with the Air Transport Command's Fifth Ferrying Group. The squadron will eventually become the largest contingent of WASP anywhere in the country., 1946-1947 - The airport's terminal building adds two wings, to the north and east of the original structure, to increase capacity from five to thirteen gates in response to the rapid increase in postwar demand for air travel. Planning is underway for a new airport terminal., June 4, 1948 - Braniff International Airways begins flights to South America from Love Field with DC-6 service to Ecuador via Havanna, Cuba and Balboa City in the Canal Zone. Braniff eventually becomes the largest U.S. carrier operating to South America., 1955 - Lemmon Avenue along Love Field is relocated 1,000 feet to the east to provide a safety buffer for an extension of the north-south runway (18/36) while also creating room for development on the east side of the airport., October 28, 1955 - Dallas mayor R.L. Thornton pulls a lever to pour the first concrete for the airport's new terminal building at the north end of Cedar Springs Road. The new terminal opens for operations on January 20, 1958, with 26 passenger gates., 1958 - Major capital projects are completed on the east side of the airport by Delta Air Lines, Braniff International Airways, American Airlines, and Southwest Airmotive, the airport's largest fixed base operator.

1942-1945 - In support of the war effort, a rapid and extensive buildup of infrastructure occurs as Love Field becomes host to the Lockheed Aircraft Company's major repair and modification facility as well as the headquarters of the Air Transport Command's Fifth Ferrying Group.

Summer 1942 - Braniff Airways transfers its corporate headquarters to Love Field from Oklahoma City. In early September, American Airlines begins the first international service from the airport with DC-3 flights to Mexico City through Fort Worth and Monterrey, Mexico.

January 1943 - The first group of female pilots that will eventually become the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) arrives for duty with the Air Transport Command's Fifth Ferrying Group. The squadron will eventually become the largest contingent of WASP anywhere in the country.

1946-1947 - The airport's terminal building adds two wings, to the north and east of the original structure, to increase capacity from five to thirteen gates in response to the rapid increase in postwar demand for air travel. Planning is underway for a new airport terminal.

June 4, 1948 - Braniff International Airways begins flights to South America from Love Field with DC-6 service to Ecuador via Havanna, Cuba and Balboa City in the Canal Zone. Braniff eventually becomes the

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largest U.S. carrier operating to South America.

1955 - Lemmon Avenue along Love Field is relocated 1,000 feet to the east to provide a safety buffer for an extension of the north-south runway (18/36) while also creating room for development on the east side of the airport.

October 28, 1955 - Dallas mayor R.L. Thornton pulls a lever to pour the first concrete for the airport's new terminal building at the north end of Cedar Springs Road. The new terminal opens for operations on January 20, 1958, with 26 passenger gates.

1958 - Major capital projects are completed on the east side of the airport by Delta Air Lines, Braniff International Airways, American Airlines, and Southwest Airmotive, the airport's largest fixed base operator.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1943.

Location. 32° 51.136′ N, 96° 50.931′ W. Marker is in Dallas, Texas, in Dallas County. It is on George Coker Circle 0.1 miles west of Lemmon Ave. The markers are located at the Dallas Love Field Aircraft Observation Area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8329 George Coker Cir, Dallas TX 75209, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Love Field: A New Era (here, next to this marker); Love Field: The Airport Matures (here, next to this

Photographed by James Hulse, May 15, 2026

2. Love Field: World War II and the 1950s Marker

The marker is the first marker on the right side.

marker); Love Field: The 21st Century (here, next to this marker); Love Field: Into the Jet Age (here, next to this marker); Love Field: World War I and the Early Years (a few steps from this marker); Love Field Airman Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Garvin Memorial Cemetery (approx. ¾ mile away); Texas’ First Airmail and Passenger Service (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dallas.

Also see . . . Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). Wikipedia

The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP; also Women's Army Service Pilots or Women's Auxiliary Service Pilots) was a civilian women pilots' organization, whose members were United States federal civil service employees. Members of WASP became trained pilots who tested aircraft, ferried aircraft and trained other pilots. Their purpose was to free male pilots for combat roles during World War II. Despite various members of the armed forces being involved in the creation of the program, the WASP and its members had no military standing.

(Submitted on May 20, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Photographed by James Hulse, May 15, 2026

3. Love Field: World War II and the 1950s Marker

The marker is the third marker from the left side.

Photographed by James Hulse, May 15, 2026

4. Love Field: World War II and the 1950s Marker

The markers are located under the Love Field Observation pavilion.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 20, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.