On December 17, 1903 on a remote windswept beach, mankind glimpsed the possibility of controlled flight. A dream that had proved elusive since 1782 when the Montgolfier Brothers took to the heavens in a hot air balloon. By 1905 the Wright Brothers introduced their third generation flying machine – the Wright Flyer III. It was the first practical fixed-wing aircraft in human history. Aviation “fever” soon swept the country – Utah included.
By 1870 Salt Lake City had established itself as the most important transportation hub in the intermountain west. The resulting economic bonanza benefited the city and surrounding communities. Civic leaders had every intention to perpetuate and protect their status as the “Crossroads of the West.” Thus, it seems logical that Salt Lake City was destined to play a key role in helping Wilbur and Orville realize their vision of a national aeronautical transportation network.
The State’s first airplane flight occurred on January 30, 1910 at the Salt Lake Fairgrounds. Louis Paulhan, a French aerial daredevil, wooed a crowd of 10,000 spectators with a ten-minute flight at a height of 300 feet. The robust public response encouraged further flights, and a desire to monetize such enthusiasm. Salt Lake City’s next aeronautical extravaganza commenced on February 11, 1911 at the Saltair Pavilion. The hastily developed Barrington Aviation Park hosted the three-day event. Another 10,000 attendees paid $1.00 to applaud the exploits of barnstormers Glen H. Curdiss, Eugene B. Ely, and Charles S. Willard.
Credit: Courtesy of the Utah State Historical Society, Utah State Historical Society Classified Photo Collection
World War I cemented the legitimacy of flying machines – they were here to stay. In 1918 the US Postal Service (USPS) inaugurated airmail service between New York City and Washington DC. Soon thereafter USPS announced their intentions to establish airmail service between Chicago, the west coast, and major metropolitan areas in between.
Cities desiring air mail service were expected to invest in making this a reality. In 1920 Salt Lake City purchased 106 waterlogged acres just west of downtown at a cost of six-thousand dollars. The SLC Chamber of Commerce named the single-strip landing field after USPS executive and airmail proponent John Jordan, calling it Jordan Field. Building a hangar and service facilities required an additional twenty-thousand dollars. Airmail service commenced inauspiciously on November 7, 1920 when the Wasatch mountains claimed their first pilot, John P. Woodward. It would not be their last.
Airmail pilots flew day and night regardless of the weather conditions. Under certain circumstances, it was death defying. Navigation depended on contact flight rules: following rail lines, roadways, etc. To aid flyers, states (Utah included) constructed massive concrete arrows, painted bright yellow. They helped guide pilots to their destinations. Regarding the Salt Lake City airport, pilots complained that it was difficult to locate. To remedy the situation, the Mormon Church installed an arrow on the roof of the Salt Lake Tabernacle pointing in the direction of the airport. The words “Salt Lake Airport” accompanied the arrow. They were painted a brilliant white. Pilots rejoiced. This navigation aid would remain until the roof was replaced in the late 1940’s.
Today the Salt Lake City International Airport is the envy of the intermountain west. It serves as a testament to both the Wright Brothers and forward-thinking community leaders who shared a vision of aviation’s future possibilities.
The Park City Museum will host a lecture titled “The Wright Brothers and Their Flying Machines,” given by Dorian DeMaio on March 13 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Park City Museum’s Educational and Collections Center located at 2079 Sidewinder Drive.