Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields:
Alabama: Huntsville area
© 2002, © 2007 by Paul Freeman. Revised 9/23/07.
Huntsville Airport (1st location) (revised 10/4/06) - Huntsville Airport (2nd location) (revised 9/23/07)
Jacksonville Airport (added 4/3/04) - Jasper Airport / (Original) Walker County Airport (revised 4/8/05)
South Huntsville Airport (revised 5/28/05) - Valley Airport (revised 6/18/04)
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34.71 North / 86.58 West (South of Downtown Huntsville, AL)
A photo of an unidentified biplane taken at the dedication of the Huntsville Flying Field in July 1931 (courtesy of Mike Sparkman).
According to Mike Sparkman, “The original airport in Huntsville was known as Huntsville Flying Field or Mayfair Airport.
It had sod runways & no lighting.
It opened in the early 1930's.”
The earliest depiction which has been located of the original Huntsville Airport
was a photo of an unidentified biplane taken at the dedication
of the Huntsville Flying Field in July 1931 (courtesy of Mike Sparkman).
However, no airfield in Huntsville was yet listed among active airfields
in The Airport Directory Company's 1933 Airport Directory (according to Chris Kennedy).
The 1934 Department of Commerce Airport Directory (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
described Huntsville as a commercial field having 4 dirt & sod runways,
with the longest being the 2,400' northeast/southwest strip.
The original Huntsville Airport was labeled as “Landing Field” on the 1937 USGS topo map (courtesy of George Wade).
The last aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of the original Huntsville Airport
was on the April 1941 Chattanooga Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
According to Mike Sparkman, “The original airport in Huntsville... was closed in 1941.”
By the time of the was on the January 1942 Chattanooga Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy),
the original Huntsville Airport was no longer depicted (having been replaced by a new field somewhat to the south).
As seen in the 2002 USGS aerial photo,
not a trace of the original Huntsville Airport remains at the site.
The site of the original Huntsville Airport is located
southwest of the intersection of Whitesburg Drive & Bob Wallace Avenue.
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34.69 North / 86.59 West (South of Downtown Huntsville, AL)
The 2nd location of the Huntsville Airport, as depicted on the January 1942 Chattanooga Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
According to Mike Sparkman, “The second [Huntsville] Airport opened in 1941.
It had two paved runways”, with Runway 18/36 initially being 4,000' long.
Mike continued, “The terminal building was a wooden shack... located at the northeast end of Runway 5/23.”
The earliest depiction which has been located of the 2nd Huntsville Airport
was on the January 1942 Chattanooga Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The April 1944 US Army/Navy Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Ken Mercer)
described Huntsville Airport as having a 4,000' hard-surfaced runway.
According to Mike Sparkman, “Airline service started in 1944 by PCA & Eastern in 1946.”
The 1950 USGS topo map (courtesy of the University of Alabama Map Library)
depicted the field as having two 4,000' paved runways,
with two small buildings (hangars?) located northeast of the runway intersection.
A September 1950 photo (courtesy of Johnny Johnston) of the Huntsville Madison County Airport's original terminal building,
as seen during a meeting of Eastern Airlines President Eddie Rickenbacker with 24 of the airline's top corporate officials.
The sign on the right side of the building says “Air Cargo Terminal, Eastern Air Lines”.
Mike Sparkman indicated that the original wooden terminal building was used “until the building [pictured below] was built in 1951.”
Runway 8/36 “was extended to 5,200' in the mid-1950s.
The control tower was built in late 1956.
Southern came in 1958.”
A circa 1956-68 photo (courtesy of Mike Sparkman) of the original terminal building, with the new control tower in the background.
The Huntsville office of the National Weather Service opened at the Huntsville Airport in 1958.
A 1962 Soil Conservation Service aerial photo of the Huntsville Airport,
courtesy of Thomas Kallsen of the University of Alabama Map Library.
The photo showed that the north/south runway had been lengthened to 5,000',
and had gained a parallel taxiway.
A paved ramp had also been added, northeast of the runway intersection,
along with several hangars & a terminal building.
Over a dozen light aircraft were visible parked on the field,
as well as two larger commercial aircraft at the passenger terminal.
A 1962 photo (courtesy of Mike Sparkman) of a Lockheed Electra in front of the control tower at Huntsville Madison County Airport.
Mike recalled, “We saw scheduled service at that airport with 727-100's of Eastern & United and DC-9's of Southern.”
USGS topo map 1964 (courtesy of the University of Alabama Map Library).
The 1965 Chattanooga Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
depicted Huntsville Airport as having two paved runways,
with the longest being the 5,200' north/south runway.
According to Mike Sparkman, the 3rd location of the Huntsville Airport (southwest of the town) was opened in October of 1967.
“General aviation continued to use the old airport until early 1968 when the FBO facility was finished at the new airport.”
This location of the Huntsville Airport was labeled "Abandoned Airport"
on the 1968 Chattanooga Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
By 1977, the former airport was no longer depicted at all on USGS topo maps.
James Cochrane recalled, “The old control tower was being used as a police headquarters
and for the police academy when I lived in Huntsville in the 1980s.
Sometime in the mid-1990s the control tower itself was removed,
and new roads cut through the old airport (the old roads through the airport followed the runways & taxiways).
Police recruits used a section of runway for physical training (West & South of the old control building)
and another section was used for legal racing (the north section of runway) & for hosting county fairs.
The south section of runway is also used for police driving practice,
and there is a National Guard armory to the west of that section.
At the far southern end is a nature trail and police training area,
this is also where the police K-9 kennels were located, and a trailer for the SWAT team's offices.
In 1989, a tornado crossed through this area, damaging the training facilities at the south end of the runway,
going past the National Guard armory, past the police academy, past the fire station,
and through the intersection that is just off the picture to the right of the old control tower (it mostly followed the old crosswind runway),
killing a number of people in the strip malls, streets, and buildings east of the old airport.
Loss of life was actually fairly low, given that it struck during rush hour,
and that is one of the main intersections connecting north & south Huntsville,
and the fact that the police, fire, and National Guard facilities were not damaged
meant there were rescue resources immediately on scene
(the National Guard guys used their radios to contact state government in Birmingham
to advise them of the situation before they started loading trucks with supplies,
they had just received their annual allocation of chemical marker lights
a few weeks prior to the tornado & used all of them that night).”
As seen in the 1998 USGS aerial photo,
a baseball stadium (the Joe W. Davis Municipal Stadium) had been built over the northern end of the primary runway,
and the middle portion of the former airport has been reused as John Hunt Park.
However, substantial portions of the north/south runway & its parallel taxiway still existed,
as well as a smaller length of the crosswind runway.
The primary runway had been bisected by a new road, Johnson Road SW.
The former terminal building & at least one hangar also appeared to still exist.
As seen in the 2002 USGS aerial photo,
substantial portions of the north/south runway & its parallel taxiway still existed,
as well as a smaller length of the crosswind runway.
A close-up from the 2002 USGS aerial photo,
showing the former terminal building & hangar,
as well as a helipad marking just southwest of the terminal.
Alan Cagle reported in 2004, "The old municipal airport is now a museum & fire training site."
A 2007 photo by Ron Plante looking northeast along the remains of Runway 5.
Ron Plante reported in 2007, “The site has been developed a lot in the 10 years since my last visit.
The runways are pretty much split by an east-west street named - get this - Airport Road.
South of the road, the runways are barely recognizable.
In addition to the older golf course on the east side, there are now tennis courts,
soccer and baseball fields, and an Army National Guard facility.
Using the 2002 aerial photo, I was able to match up the runway intersection but not much else.
The largest piece of remaining runway is north of the road, where about half of Runway 18/36 is still intact.
Southeast of this are more athletic fields, a children’s play area, fire station, fire/police training area,
and a Veteran’s Memorial Museum in what used to be the jail.
A firefighter said the tower/terminal was demolished about 6 years ago.
The building foundation remains, along with tile & linoleum from the terminal floors.”
A 2007 photo by Ron Plante looking north from Airport Road along the remains of Runway 36.
A 2007 photo by Ron Plante looking east at the site of the control tower / terminal building, with the fire training area in the background.
A 2007 photo by Ron Plante of the tile floor which remains at the site of the airport terminal building.
The site of the second Huntsville Airport is located
west of the intersection of South Memorial Parkway & Airport Road SW.
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34.54 North / 86.61 West (South of Huntsville, AL)
A 1970 Soil Conservation Service aerial photo of the South Huntsville Airport,
courtesy of Thomas Kallsen of the University of Alabama Map Library.
The date of construction of the South Huntsville Airport has not been determined.
It was apparently built at some point between 1964-70,
as it was not depicted at all on the 1964 USGS topo map (from the University of Alabama Map Library).
The earliest reference to the field which has been located was on the above 1970 aerial photo.
It depicted South Huntsville Airport as having a single paved runway, oriented northeast/southwest,
with a taxiway leading to a single building on the southeast side of the runway.
The airport was apparently well-used,
as a total of no less than 48 light aircraft were visible parked on the southeast side of the field.
According to Alan Cagle, the reason for the creation of the South Huntsville Airport
was to provide for private pilots an airport located closer to Huntsville,
after the original Huntsville Airport was replaced by the new Huntsville International Airport in the late 1960s.
The South Huntsville Airport,
as depicted on the 1975 AL Highway Department Map (from the University of Alabama Map Library, courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The April 1980 Atlanta Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
depicted South Huntsville as having a single 2,200' paved runway.
The 1986 Flight Guide (courtesy of Chris Kennedy) depicted South Huntsville Airport
as having a single 2,180' loose gravel Runway 6/24.
A taxiway led to the office of Brass Inc. on the southeast corner of the field,
and another long building (t-hangars?) was depicted south of the runway.
South Huntsville Airport was evidently closed at some point between 1986-98,
as it was no longer depicted at all on the 1998 World Aeronautical Chart.
According to Tony Dix, "The airport had a 20 year lease
and did not renew their lease because the monthly payments were sky-high."
In the 1998 USGS aerial photo, it was not apparent if the airport had already been abandoned,
as the runway & buildings were still intact,
but there was no sign of any usage of the field.
In the 2002 USGS aerial photo, the former South Huntsville Airport was still completely intact.
Tony Dix reported in 2005, "It is now used to store sod farm equipment."
South Huntsville Airport is located southwest of the intersection of Hough Road & Airport Road,
appropriately enough.
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33.79 North / 85.77 West (Northeast of Birmingham, AL)
Jacksonville Airport, as depicted on the April 1980 Atlanta Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Photo of the airfield while in use has not been located.
This small former general aviation airport was apparently built at some point between 1965-77,
as it was not yet depicted on the 1965 AL Highway Department map.
The earliest depiction of Jacksonville Airport which has been located
was on the 1977 AL Highway Department map.
It labeled the site as "Jacksonville Airport", but did not depict any runways or other details of the airfield.
Roy Helsing recalled, “I did fly into Jacksonville on occasion.
I even had an emergency engine failure on take-off once in a Cessna 150
and somehow actually got it back to the runway!”
The April 1980 Atlanta Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
depicted Jacksonville Airport as having a single 3,000' east/west paved runway.
The 1986 Flight Guide (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
depicted Jacksonville Airport as having a single 3,000' paved Runway 9/27.
Taxiways led to a ramp on the southeast side of the field, with a total of three buildings (hangars?).
The office of the Gold Dust Flying Service was located in one of the buildings.
Jacksonville Airport was apparently closed (for reasons unknown) at some point between 1986-96,
as it was no longer depicted at all on the 1996 AL Highway Department map.
As seen in the 1997 USGS aerial photo,
the western half of the former airport had been covered by some kind of industrial operation.
However, the majority of the former runway remained intact, as well as the taxiway & the ramp.
It appeared as if all of the former airport buildings & hangars had been removed.
The site of Jacksonville Airport is located southeast of the intersection of George Douthit Drive & James Hopkins Road.
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Jasper Airport / (Original) Walker County Airport (1A8), Jasper, AL
33.86 North / 87.26 West (Northwest of Birmingham, AL)
Jasper Airport, as depicted on the June 1941 Birmingham Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The date of construction of this former general aviation airport has not been determined.
The earliest depiction which has been located of what was originally known as the Jasper Airport
was on the June 1941 Birmingham Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
It depicted Jasper as a commercial or municipal airport.
The field was evidently renamed “Jasper County” Airport at some point between 1941-44,
as that is how it was listed in the March 1944 US Army/Navy Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Ken Mercer).
It described Walker County Airport as having a 3,100' runway.
The 1949 USGS topo map 1949 (courtesy of the University of Alabama Map Library)
depicted Walker County Airport as having three unpaved runways.
Walker County Airport, as depicted on the August 1954 Birmingham USAF Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
A 1955 Soil Conservation Service Photo (courtesy of Thomas Kallsen of the University of Alabama Map Library)
depicted the Walker County Airport as having three unpaved runways,
with several buildings or hangars just south of the runway intersection.
The 1962 AOPA Airport Directory described the field as having a 3,700' black top Runway 10/28,
a 2,750' sod Runway 4/22, and a 2,850' sod Runway 15/33.
The operator was listed as Jasper Flying Service.
The 1965 Jeppesen Airway Manual (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
depicted the Walker County Airport as having a 3,700' paved Runway 11/29
and a 2,100 sod Runway 4/22, with two small buildings on the south side of the field.
The manager was listed as Ellis Haynes.
A 1972 Soil Conservation Service Photo,
courtesy of Thomas Kallsen of the University of Alabama Map Library.
By the time of this photo, the main (east/west) runway had apparently been paved.
A cleared area was still present for the grass northeast/southwest runway,
but the northwest/southeast runway had been closed,
with a row of T-hangars & an aircraft parking area along its middle area.
A total of at least 10 aircraft were visible parked outside.
By the time of the 1980 Flight Guide (courtesy of Chris Kennedy),
the 3,700' paved Runway 11/29 was apparently the sole runway - apparently the other two sod runways had been abandoned.
Taxiways were depicted as leading to a ramp on the southwest side of the field, with two buildings.
The 1982 AOPA Airport Directory (courtesy of Ed Drury)
described the Walker County Airport as having a single 3,700' asphalt Runway 11/29.
The operator was listed as Jasper Aviation.
Walker County Airport was closed at an unknown date, apparently between 1982-86,
as it was not listed among active airfields in the 1986 Flight Guide (according to Chris Kennedy).
It was replaced by a newly constructed Walker County Airport, 4 miles northwest.
The original Walker County Airport was labeled "Landing Strip (Abandoned)" on the 1988 USGS topo map.
As seen in the 1999 USGS aerial photo,
the majority of the former airport appeared to remain intact,
including the full length of the paved runway, and all of the hangars & other airfield buildings.
The original field is still depicted as an abandoned airfield on 2002 aeronautical charts.
The current status of the property is unknown.
The airport was apparently also known as Bevill Field,
as it is located east of the intersection of Bevill Field Road & Airport Road.
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Valley Airport (56A), Lanett, AL
32.85 North / 85.16 West (Southwest of Atlanta, GA)
Valley Airport, as depicted on the August 1954 Birmingham Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The date of construction of this former county airport is unknown.
It was evidently built at some point between 1944-54,
as it was not listed among active airfields in the 1944 US Army/Navy Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Ken Mercer).
The earliest reference to Valley Airport which has been located
was on the August 1954 Birmingham Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
It depicted Valley Airport as having a 3,100' runway.
The 1961 Great Smoky Mountains World Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
depicted Valley Airport as having a 3,100' hard-surface runway.
The 1962 AOPA Airport Directory described Valley Airport
as having a 3,200' hard top Runway 13/31 & a 2,800' sod Runway 4/22.
A 1964 Soil Conservation Service Photo,
courtesy of Thomas Kallsen of the University of Alabama Map Library.
The 1965 Jeppesen Airway Manual (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
depicted Valley Airport as having a 3,200' paved Runway 13/31
and a 2,600' unpaved Runway 3/21.
Two hangars were depicted west of the runway intersection.
The field was noted to conduct drag races on Sundays.
USGS topo map 1969 (courtesy of the University of Alabama Map Library).
By the time of the 1982 AOPA Airport Directory (courtesy of Ed Drury)
Runway 13/31 was the sole remaining runway,
as apparently the grass crosswind runway had been abandoned.
It included the note, "Private. Use at own risk."
Valley Airport was still listed as an active airfield in the 1986 Flight Guide (according to Chris Kennedy).
Valley Airport was apparently closed at some point between 1986-98,
as it was not longer depicted at all (even as an abandoned airfield) on 1998 World Aeronautical Charts.
According to Glen Boyd (manager of LaGrange-Callaway Airport),
"This was a privately owned airport, built & operated by Fred Robinson.
Fred was a colorful figure, to say the least."
"I was given an interesting bit of trivia about this airport from a Georgia DOT official.
The airport was built on a river bottom in a crook of the Chattahoochee River.
It was on the west side of the river, in Alabama.
Oddly enough, the official legal description for the location of the state line is (roughly)
'the most westerly extent of the floodwaters of the Chattahoochee river'.
For many years the state of Georgia inspected & attempted to regulate & tax this airport.
Based on the comments I got from this state official the entire situation was a real mess for both Georgia & Alabama."
"For many years Fred hosted drag races at his airport on weekends.
The runway had such a side gradient that some regular racers
built one side of their cars higher so the body would sit level left to right."
"Fred Robinson passed away in (to the best of my recollection) the late 1980's.
His sister & nephew were the only surviving relatives.
They sold the airport to the City of Lanett.
The hangars are now used as a city equipment barn
and the land is used for a walking trail & R/C model flying field."
In the 1997 USGS aerial photo, the paved Runway 13/31 still existed in fine shape,
as well as what appears to have been one former hangar, still standing west of the north end of the runway.
The Valley Airport is located at the northeastern terminus of 12th Avenue,
along the western bank of the Chattahoochee River.
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