Roosevelt Field, New York

This article is about the early 20th century Long Island airport. For the shopping mall, see Roosevelt Field Mall.

Roosevelt Field was originally an airfield in Garden City, Nassau County, New York.

History

Originally named the Hempstead Plains Aerodrome, it was renamed in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt's son, Quentin, who was killed in air combat during World War I. Roosevelt Field was the takeoff point for many historic flights in the early history of aviation, including Charles Lindbergh's 1927 solo transatlantic flight.^[1] It was also used by other pioneering aviators, including Amelia Earhart and Wiley Post.

The Hempstead Plains Aerodrome, originally encompassed 900 to 1,000 acres (405 ha) east of Clinton Road and south of Old Country Road. The U.S. military began using the Hempstead Plains field before the U.S. entered World War I. When the U.S. entered the war in April 1917, the airfield was taken over as a training center for military pilots and renamed Hazelhurst Field. On September 24, 1918, the Army changed the name of the airfield to Roosevelt Field.

After the war, the U.S. Air Service authorized some companies to operate from Roosevelt Field but maintained control until July 1, 1920, at which time the government sold its buildings and improvements and relinquished control of the field. Subsequently, the property owners sold portions along the southern edge of the field and split the remainder of the property into two separate fields, Roosevelt Field on the eastern half, and Curtiss Field. Both fields were bought in 1929 by Roosevelt Field, Inc. and the consolidated property was once again renamed Roosevelt Field. The eastern field was sold in 1936 and became a racetrack, while the western field located at the corner of Clinton and Old Country Roads continued to operate as an aviation center. At its peak in the 1930s, it was America’s busiest civilian airfield.

Roosevelt Field was used by the Navy and Army during World War II. After the war, Roosevelt Field reverted to operation as a commercial airport until it closed on May 31, 1951.^[2]

Fresco

Aline Hofheimer painted a 126-foot fresco representing aviation history in Roosevelt Field, Long Island.

Mall

Manhattan-based real estate company Webb and Knapp gained a controlling interest in the airfield in 1950 and later built light factories on it. Currently its site is occupied by Roosevelt Field Mall and Garden City Plaza.

References

1. ^ Stoff, Joshua (2001). "The Aviation Heritage of Long Island". The Cradle of Aviation Museum. http://www.cradleofaviation.org/history/index.html. 
2. ^ "Roosevelt Field Closes; Historic Airport Will Be Used for Industrial Activities". New York Times: p. 14. 1951-06-01. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F1081FFF3A5A16738FDDA80894DE405B8189F1D3. Retrieved 2009-09-04. 

Coordinates: 40°44′26″N 73°36′00″W / 40.740429°N 73.5999012°W / 40.740429; -73.5999012