Curtiss Airfield

Curtiss Airfield. A name that once echoed with the roar of engines and the cheers of thousands. Now, imagine yourself standing here, where the ghosts of aviation history still linger. Curtiss Airfield, originally known as Rogers Airport, was born in 1928. A mere year later, it was reborn, thanks to a multi-million dollar investment by Curtiss-Wright. They transformed it into a bustling hub of aviation activity. Curtiss Field, as it was then known, boasted three asphalt runways arranged in a triangle, surrounded by a vast expanse of grass. Six impressive hangars lined the western edge, ready to house the aircraft that frequented this vibrant airfield. This wasn’t just any airfield. Curtiss Airfield pulsed with the energy of hundreds of planes taking off and landing daily. Legends like Charles Lindbergh and Wiley Post walked these grounds, their names adding to the growing mystique of the place. For a glorious three years, starting in 1930, Curtiss Field reigned supreme as the largest commercial airport on Long Island. The skies above buzzed with air shows. Daring pilots performed breathtaking stunts, parachute jumpers floated down from dizzying heights, and wing walkers defied gravity. Crowds of up to 10,000 people gathered to witness these spectacles, their cheers providing much-needed financial support to the often struggling pilots. Sadly, the Great Depression cast its long shadow over Curtiss Field. In 1933, the public airfield closed its gates. However, the spirit of aviation lived on. Columbia Aircraft Corporation continued operations, using the field for manufacturing. The airfield also played a vital role during World War II. The Grumman Aircraft Company entrusted Columbia with the production of the J2F Duck floatplane, a crucial asset for the war effort. The planes were built right here, contributing to the Allied victory. Even after the war, Curtiss Airfield’s story continued. The site became home to one of Long Island’s first shopping malls, Green Acres Mall, in 1956. Remarkably, some of the original hangars survived, standing as silent witnesses to the airfield’s rich history. Although Curtiss Airfield may be gone, its legacy endures. It stands as a testament to a time when aviation was in its infancy, a time of daring feats and groundbreaking achievements.