Flood!
In January of 1937, shortly after construction on the terminal building was complete, a historic flood covered the building. The water completely covered the 2nd floor of the building. Only the tower itself was visible above the water. This flood led to the nickname for the airport, "Sunken Lunken." This event also highlighted that Lunken Airport was not in an ideal location: a flood plain with bluffs on either side. The location can make it hard for incoming planes to find the airport, leads to frequent early morning fog and of course there is always the risk of another flood. By 1946, the major airlines pulled out of Lunken in favor of Greater Cincinnati Airport in Kentucky.
High Water Mark
The height of the flood is marked with a bronze plaque outside of the building. The plaque is attached to the bricks just to the left of the tower at the top of the 2nd floor. Sometimes this plaque is referred to as a "black brick." After 70 years of wear, the plaque had become discolored. Recently it has been restored to allow the bronze to once again show.
Lindbergh
In May 1927 a 26 year old air-mail pilot named Charles Lindbergh made history by being the first person to fly non-stop across the Atlantic ocean. He flew the now famous Spirit of St. Louis on the flight from New York to Paris.
Lindbergh landed at Lunken Airport to refuel both to and from New York. During each stop, people gathered at the airport to offer their support. One local resident, Isabella Hopkins, younger sister of Mariemont founder Mary Emery, was so enthusiatic about the flight that she declared the Bell Tower in Mariemont should ring out on the anniversary of Lindbergh's historic flight. It still does to this day.
Lindbergh landed at Lunken Airport to refuel both to and from New York. During each stop, people gathered at the airport to offer their support. One local resident, Isabella Hopkins, younger sister of Mariemont founder Mary Emery, was so enthusiatic about the flight that she declared the Bell Tower in Mariemont should ring out on the anniversary of Lindbergh's historic flight. It still does to this day.
Dedications
In 1930, Lunken Airport was dedicated. In reality, it had been used as a permanent airfield for the prior five years. However, the dedication allowed for a big celebration attended by Howard Hughes, Jimmy Doolittle, Freddie Lund, and Jean Harlow. At its dedication, Lunken was the largest municipal airport in the world.
On May 23, 1938, the terminal building, which houses the tower, was dedicated. Over 75,000 people came to the dedication (shown). For the next ten year airlines such as American, Delta and Trans-World airlines operated out of the terminal.
On May 23, 1938, the terminal building, which houses the tower, was dedicated. Over 75,000 people came to the dedication (shown). For the next ten year airlines such as American, Delta and Trans-World airlines operated out of the terminal.
What did the Old Tower Look Like?
The original Lunken Control Tower had a glass roof and venting casement windows to provide the best all-around view of the surrounding airspace. In later years the glass roof would be replaced by a metal roof with a steel structure designed to hold the signaling light still seen on the tower today. Believe it or not the original glass roof still lies between the metal and foam sealed outer roof and the ceiling of the tower.
Notable Dates
As compiled by the City of Cincinnati: http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/dote/lunken-airport/history/
- 1788 - Columbia, now the area occupied by Lunken Airport, became the first settlement in the Cincinnati area.
- 1921 - Dixie Davis begins teaching flying lessons.
- 1925 - Dixie Davis establishes a permanent airfield at Lunken. T. Embry and J. Paul Riddle found the Embry-Riddle Company. The City of Cincinnati accepts the land gift of Lunken Airfield.
- 1927 - Charles Lindbergh, a 26-year-old air-mail pilot, makes his historic non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Lindbergh flies his Ryan monoplane, the Spirit of St. Louis, from New York to Paris in 33 hours and 29 minutes. Embry Riddle Co. (located at Lunken) is awarded one of the earliest U.S.air mail contracts. The Sikorsky S-29A, "The Flying Cigar Store" is a frequent visitor to Lunken selling cigars, watches, razors, lipsticks, etc. Cincinnati purchases 870 acres through a bond issue. Lunken now occupies approximately 1000 acres.
- 1928 - Embry-Riddle, operating 10 aircraft at Lunken, became a subsidiary of AVCO, a parent of American Airlines. The Flamingo, one of the first all metal monoplanes built in America, is produced at Lunken by Metal Aircraft Company.
- 1930 - Formal dedication of Lunken Airport takes place. A three-day celebration includes notables such as Howard Hughes, Jimmy Doolittle, Freddie Lund, Cincinnati Air Corps Reserves and Jean Harlow.
- 1937 - The new terminal is completed and serves as an active airline terminal until January 1947.
- 1940s - American Airlines is born at Lunken Airport.
- 1964 - The Beatles arrive at Lunken Airport for their concert at Crosley Field.
- 2013- The Solar Impulse lands at Lunken Airport as part of its cross-continental tour of the United States