Stateline in Douglas County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Sky Harbor Airport and Casino

Landing on a Wing & a Prayer

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 4, 2012

1. Sky Harbor Airport and Casino Marker

Inscription.
During the late 1940s, this land was used by Sky Harbor Airport and Casino, which flew its wealthy patrons in from San Francisco to spend money in the local casinos. The airport consisted of a dirt landing strip, but with the snow-crested Crystal Range gleaming in the background, it offered great views. Unfortunately, flying in and out was dangerous because of high winds and a steep descent.

After Sky Harbor Airport closed, Lake Tahoe was without an airport until 1958.

"The airport was so poorly engineered that you either took off safely or splashed in the Lake." - anonymous

Erected by US Forest Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1958.

Location. 38° 58.579′ N, 119° 56.565′ W. Marker is in Stateline, Nevada, in Douglas County. It can be reached from the intersection of Kahle Road and Route 50. This marker is located on the Lam Watah Historic Trail. The trailhead and parking lot are on Kahle Road, just off of US 50. The marker is perhaps half a mile in, ~10-12 minutes walk over level ground, just through the first grove of trees when walking towards the lake. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stateline NV 89449, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Sierra Nevada,

in the Lake Tahoe Basin,

and in Greater Reno Area.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Friday’s Added Station (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Pony Express (approx. 1.1 miles away); Lakeside Beach History (approx. 1.2 miles away in California); Pony Express State Line Crossing (approx. 1.2 miles away); Jack’s Ranch (approx. 1.6 miles away in California); Henry Van Sickle (approx. 1.6 miles away in California); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.9 miles away in California); Washoe Woman (approx. 1.9 miles away in California). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stateline.

Also see . . . 'Sky Harbor Casino': The history of Tahoe's deadly defunct airport. SF Gate website entry (Submitted on December 18, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Additional commentary.
1. Tom Kiernan, owner
My husband started Sky harbor. I have all the original plans. Including interior photos. Also all the planes lined up on the fields. Tom saved the flight books. He was best friends with John Payne and Bill Cummings. Which is why he flew in a lot of movie stars. They're in his logs with their home phone numbers. The old photos capture beautiful details of the area.

In memory of Tom Kiernan, 1912-1999

— Submitted March 9, 2026, by Mrs Tom Kiernan of Sacramento, California.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 4, 2012

2. Sky Harbor Airport and Casino Marker - Wide View Looking North

Sky Harbor Airport and Casino Marker - Wide View Looking South image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 4, 2012

3. Sky Harbor Airport and Casino Marker - Wide View Looking South

Sky Harbor Airport and Casino image. Click for full size.

via SF Gate, unknown

4. Sky Harbor Airport and Casino

Tom Kiernan, He Started Sky Harbor image. Click for full size.

from the Carol Kiernan Collection, used with permission, March 17, 2026

5. Tom Kiernan, He Started Sky Harbor

Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2015, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,284 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 28, 2015, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 4. submitted on December 18, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 5. submitted on April 20, 2026, by Mrs Tom Kiernan of Sacramento, California.