Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Macon County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

New Vistas

Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 16, 2016

1. New Vistas Marker

Inscription. Moton Field was built by Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University, in 1941 after the school contracted with the U.S. Army to provide primary flight training for the nation's first African American military pilots. By the end of World War II almost 1,000 African Americans had earned their wings, and their flight training began here. Thousands of military and civilian support personnel helped them reach their goal.

My eyes were opened to new vistas. I mean, I just didn't imagine that I, as a black person at that time, would have this opportunity.
George Abercrombie, 2001

[Photo caption]
From here you can see Moton Field
from nearly the same viewpoint
as this historic photograph, taken
about 1945. The hangar nearest you
built in 1941, was the first hangar
built at Moton Field. The farther
hangar with the control tower
followed in 1943 as part of the rapid
expansion of the flying program.

Erected by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Air & Space • War, World II. In addition,

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it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 32° 27.395′ N, 85° 40.84′ W. Marker is in Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, Alabama, in Macon County. It can be reached from Chappie James Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1616 Chappie James Ave, Tuskegee AL 36083, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

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 the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

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: The Place Where We Learned to Fly (here, next to this marker); Hangar No. 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); A Bit to Eat (within shouting distance of this marker); Ghost Structures (within shouting distance of this

New Vistas Marker is on left in far background. Moton Field is to left and below. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 16, 2016

2. New Vistas Marker is on left in far background. Moton Field is to left and below.

marker); Oil Storage Shed (within shouting distance of this marker); Waiting for the Bus (within shouting distance of this marker); FIRE! (within shouting distance of this marker); Bath and Locker House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site.

View of the hangars, control tower and other Moton Field buildings. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 16, 2016

3. View of the hangars, control tower and other Moton Field buildings.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 522 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 24, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.