Ruth Haines
Roosevelt Field was an airport located in the East Garden City section of Uniondale, on Long Island, New York. It was originally called the Hempstead Plains Aerodrome and was a training field for the Air Service during World War I. After the war, the airport was renamed in honour of President Theodore Roosevelt's son, Quentin, who was killed in air combat during the war. Roosevelt Field played a significant role in the history of aviation, serving as the takeoff point for Charles Lindbergh's solo transatlantic flight in 1927, as well as hosting other pioneering aviators such as Amelia Earhart and Wiley Post. The airport closed in 1951 and was replaced by retail shopping centres and townhouses, with the Roosevelt Field Mall and Garden City Plaza occupying its former site.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | East Garden City section of Uniondale, Long Island, New York |
| Previous Names | Hempstead Plains Aerodrome, Hempstead Plains Field, Garden City Aerodrome, Hazelhurst Field |
| Year of Closing | 1951 |
| Year of Origin | 1911 |
| Year Renamed to Roosevelt Field | 1919 |
| Year Acquired by Roosevelt Field Inc. | 1929 |
| Number of Hangars | 7 |
| Number of Runways | 3 |
| Length of Clay Runway | 5,000 feet (1,500 m) |
| Length of Asphalt Runways | 2,000 feet |
| Number of Hourly Takeoffs | 400 |
| Year of Charles Lindbergh's Transatlantic Flight | 1927 |
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What You'll Learn
Roosevelt Field was once the world's premier airport
Roosevelt Field, once known as the "World's Premier Airport", was a bustling hub of aeronautical activity and played a significant role in the history of aviation. Located in the East Garden City section of Uniondale, on Long Island, New York, the airport has gone through several name changes and ownerships over the years.
The airport's history can be traced back to World War I when it served as a training field for the Air Service of the United States Army. Known then as the Hempstead Plains Aerodrome, it was renamed Hazelhurst Field after the United States entered the war in 1917. In 1919, it was renamed again to honour President Theodore Roosevelt's son, Quentin, who tragically lost his life in air combat during the war.
Roosevelt Field became synonymous with historic flights and record-breaking endeavours. On May 20, 1927, Charles Lindbergh took off from Roosevelt Field and made the first successful transatlantic flight, reaching Paris after 33 and a half hours. This groundbreaking journey opened the doors to future international air travel between the United States and Europe. Roosevelt Field also witnessed the departure of Amelia Earhart and Wiley Post, the latter embarking on an around-the-world flight in 1931.
During the Golden Age of Aviation, from 1919 to 1939, Roosevelt Field thrived. It featured seven hangars, a large parking ramp, and three asphalt runways, enabling up to 400 takeoffs per hour. The airport was a centre of commercial aviation in the east, attracting various aviation businesses, including sales agencies, repair shops, service centres, and parts suppliers. The era's accomplishments were celebrated and preserved in the Roosevelt Field Aviation Historical Museum.
However, Roosevelt Field faced challenges due to its proximity to residential areas, resulting in noise complaints and hindering its expansion plans. With the onset of World War II, the airport was utilised by the Navy and Army, and it later reverted to commercial operations. Ultimately, Roosevelt Field closed its doors on May 31, 1951, and its former grandeur was replaced by shopping malls and townhouses, marking the end of an era for the once-renowned airport.
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It was originally called Hempstead Plains Aerodrome
Roosevelt Field, a former airport, was originally called the Hempstead Plains Aerodrome. Located in the East Garden City section of Uniondale, on Long Island, New York, United States, the airport has gone through many name changes and ownership transfers throughout its history.
The Hempstead Plains Aerodrome was a vast expanse, originally encompassing 900 to 1,000 acres of land east of Clinton Road, south of Old Country Road, and west of Merrick Avenue. The plain was divided into two large fields by a 15-foot-high bluff, with the western field becoming the Signal Corps Aviation Station, Mineola, a pilot training school for the National Guard established by the U.S. Army Signal Corps in July 1916.
When the United States entered World War I in April 1917, the entire field was taken over and renamed Hazelhurst Field after Leighton Wilson Hazelhurst Jr., a Georgia native and graduate of the United States Military Academy who was killed in an airplane crash in June 1912. During the war, Hempstead Plains Aerodrome served as a training field (Hazelhurst Field) for the Air Service, United States Army.
After the war, in 1919, the field was renamed Roosevelt Field in honour of President Theodore Roosevelt's son, Quentin, who was killed in air combat during World War I. Roosevelt Field played a significant role in the early history of aviation, serving as the takeoff point for many historic flights, including Charles Lindbergh's 1927 solo transatlantic flight. It was also used by pioneering aviators such as Amelia Earhart and Wiley Post.
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The airport was used by the Navy and Army during World War II
Roosevelt Field, originally called Hempstead Plains Aerodrome, was located in the East Garden City section of Uniondale, on Long Island, New York. The airport was a training field for the Air Service, United States Army during World War I. It was renamed in 1919 after President Theodore Roosevelt's son, Quentin, who was killed in air combat during the war.
Roosevelt Field was used by the Navy and Army during World War II. The airport was used as a takeoff point for many historic flights in the early history of aviation. One such flight was Charles Lindbergh's 1927 solo transatlantic flight to Paris. Lindbergh's successful flight lasted 33.5 hours and covered approximately 3,600 miles, making him the first person to fly non-stop from the United States to France.
The airport also hosted other pioneering aviators, including Amelia Earhart and Wiley Post. Wiley Post used the airport to start an around-the-world flight in 1931. Roosevelt Field was also the site of several failed attempts at historic flights, including René Fonck's attempt to take off in the Sikorsky S-35 in 1926.
During World War II, Roosevelt Field was used by the Navy and Army, and it served as a crucial hub for military aviation. The airport's proximity to Manhattan and its expansive acreage made it an ideal location for military operations. After the war, Roosevelt Field reverted to operation as a commercial airport until it was acquired by real estate developers in 1950. The field closed officially on May 31, 1951, and the site has since been redeveloped for retail shopping and townhouses.
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It was acquired by real estate developers in 1950 and closed in 1951
Roosevelt Field, originally called Hempstead Plains Aerodrome, was a former airport located in the East Garden City section of Uniondale, on Long Island, New York. The airport was a training field for the Air Service of the United States Army during World War I. It was renamed in 1919 to honour President Theodore Roosevelt's son, Quentin, who was killed in air combat during the war.
Roosevelt Field was the takeoff point for many historic flights, including Charles Lindbergh's 1927 solo transatlantic flight. It was also used by other pioneering aviators, including Amelia Earhart and Wiley Post. During World War II, the airport was used by the Navy and Army.
After the war, Roosevelt Field operated as a commercial airport until it was acquired by real estate developers in 1950. The Manhattan-based real estate company Webb and Knapp gained a controlling interest in the airfield. The airport closed on May 31, 1951, and the site underwent a transformation. The eastern field became an industrial park, but it has since been redeveloped for retail shopping, including the Mall at The Source on the former runway, and townhouses. The original flying field from 1911 to 1916 is now a shopping mall, and the entire area has been built up with various commercial establishments.
Thus, while the airport itself is no longer there, the name Roosevelt Field lives on in the area, with the Roosevelt Field Mall and Garden City Plaza occupying the site today.
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The site is now occupied by a shopping mall and townhouses
Roosevelt Field, a former airport in the East Garden City section of Uniondale, on Long Island, New York, closed on May 31, 1951. The site is now occupied by a shopping mall and townhouses.
The airport was originally called the Hempstead Plains Aerodrome, and it played a significant role in the early history of aviation. Many historic flights took off from Roosevelt Field, including Charles Lindbergh's 1927 solo transatlantic flight. Other pioneering aviators who used the airport include Amelia Earhart and Wiley Post.
After the airport closed, the eastern field became an industrial park. Over time, this area transformed into a retail shopping hub, with the Mall at The Source occupying the site of the former runway. The site of the original flying field from 1911 to 1916 has also been redeveloped into a shopping mall, known as Roosevelt Field Mall or the Mall at The Source. In addition to the malls, the area now includes townhouses, contributing to the residential development around the former airport.
The Roosevelt Field Inn Hotel, once a bustling hub for guests and pilots, could not survive the airport's closure and eventually slid into bankruptcy due to a lack of revenue. The Roosevelt Aviation School, once considered a leading aviation educational institution, also met a similar fate, closing its doors by the end of the 1950s.
Today, the name "Roosevelt Field" evokes memories of its past aeronautical glory, but the area has been reshaped to meet the changing needs of the community, with shopping complexes and residential areas taking precedence over aviation.
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Frequently asked questions
Roosevelt Field Airport was located in the East Garden City section of Uniondale, on Long Island, New York.
No, Roosevelt Field Airport closed on May 31, 1951, after being acquired by real estate developers in 1950.
The site of Roosevelt Field Airport is now occupied by retail shopping, including the Mall at The Source, Roosevelt Field Mall, townhouses, and Garden City Plaza.
Roosevelt Field Airport was the takeoff point for many historic flights, including Charles Lindbergh's 1927 solo transatlantic flight. It was also used by other pioneering aviators such as Amelia Earhart and Wiley Post.
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