History
July 13, 1914 can be the date where aviation in Westfield is traced back to. Jack McGee of Pawtucket, Rhode Island flew a Wright biplane over Westfield and the flight originated on a strip of land near Southampton Road and the Holyoke Rail Bridge. McGee was hired by local merchants to drop tickets from his airplane which could have been claimed for prizes.
Following the entry of the United States into World War I, however, the expansive plain was heavily utilized by the federal government in August–September 1917 as Camp Bartlett, a mobilization and training camp for the 103rd and 104th Infantry Regiments of the 26th "Yankee" Division, prior to deployment in France.
In 1923, citizens of Westfield, and nearby Holyoke set out to build an airport. A group of influential local businessmen was charged to convince the owner of the land where the airport is now, Vincent E. Barnes, to sell his land to the City of Westfield for an airport. Barnes agreed to give up his land and he didn't ask for any money from the city or the businessmen. The 27-acre (110,000 m2) plot was named Westfield Aviation Field and was dedicated on October 12, 1923. However as the field gained in popularity, Vincent Barnes leased the city another 27-acre (110,000 m2) plot, with only a fee of $1 per year starting in 1927. In 1936, Mrs. Barnes and her daughter Saddie Knox donated an additional 297 acres (1.2 km²) to the city of Westfield. Shortly thereafter, the City Council voted to name the airport after the family who made it possible, Barnes.
Between 1939 and 1940, the administration building, hangar, and the beacon light were built with grant money totaling near $90,000. Soon, a passenger service was started out of the airport. on October 28, 1937, a 10 passenger Stinson Trimotor aircraft began flying between Westfield and Newark, New Jersey. Later American Airlines began to operate out of Westfield using DC-3 aircraft in 1938.
Over the last 50 years, the airport has added numerous infrastructure improvements including another runway, 15/33 which has a length of 5,000 feet (1,500 m). Also a VORTAC and an ILS system have been put in making the airport more attractive for General Aviation pilots as well. Most importantly in 1974, the airport's Air Traffic Control Tower was opened easing traffic congestion at the airport.
Read more about this topic: Barnes Municipal Airport
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