Near Baird in Callahan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Callahan County Airport

Photographed By Duane Hall, November 26, 2014

1. Callahan County Airport Marker

Inscription. Shortly after WWII, the first official Callahan County airport opened. Baird businessmen Ralph Ashlock and Earl Johnson leased this land from William H. Hardy where two decades earlier Mr. Hardy operated a county poor farm. With help from local welder and mechanic Rusty Higgins, they built a large hangar. Ex-military aviators like Reaves Hickman and Wendall Jones continued their flying experiences in surplus aircraft acquired by the airport owners. Jones also gave flight instructions. The most modern plane in Baird, a 1947 Luscombe Silvaire, was owned by Wm. Hardy. Another local, Eldon Dunlap, flew a 1930s Fairchild 24.

Many local residents took their first airplane ride in Baird-based planes with names like “Swee’ Pea” and “Ol’ Yellow and Silver.” Only one significant accident occurred as a plane flying cross-country ran out of fuel and crashed just short of the runway. After about 10 years, interest in flying waned; only Hardy and Dunlap had planes in the hangar when an unusually heavy snowfall collapsed the roof crushing one of the planes and ending operations at the Callahan County Airport.

Erected 2014 by Callahan County Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical year for this entry is 1947.

Location.

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32° 26.377′ N, 99° 23.061′ W. Marker is near Baird, Texas, in Callahan County. Marker is on U.S. 283, 1.7 miles north of County Road 326, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Baird TX 79504, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Captain Andrew Jackson Berry (approx. 2.1 miles away); Ross Cemetery (approx. 2.2 miles away); First Callahan Jail (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Bankhead Highway (approx. 3.2 miles away); Callahan County Courthouse (approx. 3.2 miles away); Callahan County (approx. 3.2 miles away); Callahan County War Memorial (approx. 3.2 miles away); Baby Treaty Oak (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baird.

Photographed By Duane Hall, November 26, 2014

2. Callahan County Airport Marker

View to east

Photographed By Frances Higgins Goates, circa April 1, 2021

3. Callahan County Airport Marker

The marker has faded and is unreadable. R.D. "Rusty" Higgins is the contributor's father.

Photographed By Duane Hall, November 26, 2014

4. Callahan County Airport Marker

View to northeast across US 283

View to North Along US 283 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, November 26, 2014

5. View to North Along US 283

View to South Along US 283 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, November 26, 2014

6. View to South Along US 283

Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 390 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 1, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 3. submitted on May 17, 2021, by Frances Higgins Goates of Calliham, Texas. 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 1, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.