“Where does that arrow point?” I imagine early aviators asking that very question. Here at 22 LA-SL Sloan AKA Enterprize arrow, we uncover a piece of aviation history. This cement arrow guided pilots in the early days of air travel. It’s part of the Los Angeles-Salt Lake City airway.
Let’s delve into the story of the 22 LA-SL Sloan AKA Enterprize arrow. This marker is located south of Las Vegas. You can find it near the St. Rose Parkway exit off I-15. The site sits on a small hill. The M Resort and Casino lies to the east. To the south begins the long road to Los Angeles.
Imagine this area decades ago. Pilots relied on these arrows to navigate. This particular arrow adjusted their course from Los Angeles towards Las Vegas. It directed them to the Las Vegas Municipal Field. This field was also known as Anderson Field or Rockwell Field.
After a short climb, you’ll discover the arrow on the southern side of the hill. Nearby, notice the windsock frame. It seems to date back to the arrow’s original era. Look closely. You might see nuts and washers like those on the old beacon tower posts.
Observe the arrow’s condition. Despite its age, it remains in surprisingly good shape. Splatters of yellow paint mark the area. Workers must have accidentally spilled paint during construction. You can still see paint on the beacon tower posts too. The original wood forms around the concrete remain. Some even have their nuts and washers.
The base of the 22 LA-SL Sloan AKA Enterprize arrow is not centered. This offset relates to a crucial directional change. Pilots needed to adjust their course. The arrow guided them toward Las Vegas.
Consider the landscape surrounding the 22 LA-SL Sloan AKA Enterprize arrow. To the west, the freeway buzzes. A new housing development has sprung up there. To the north stands a school bus station. The southern tip of the Strip is visible too.
The 22 LA-SL Sloan AKA Enterprize arrow stands as a testament. It is a testament to early aviation ingenuity. It links us to a time when pilots depended on simple yet effective ground markers. As we stand here, we honor their courage and the legacy of this historic airway.