Perhaps Upper Roosevelt Field whispers tales of aviation’s golden age. This place was once a bustling airfield. Upper Roosevelt Field played a pivotal role in early aviation history. It served as a launchpad for daring pilots and groundbreaking flights.
Upper Roosevelt Field started as Hempstead Plains Aerodrome. Later, it became Hazelhurst Field. This transformation occurred during World War I. The field served as a vital training ground. It prepared airmen for service in the Great War. In 1919, the field got a new name. It honored Quentin Roosevelt. He was President Theodore Roosevelt’s son. Quentin tragically died in air combat during World War I.
Upper Roosevelt Field became a hub for pioneering aviators. Charles Lindbergh famously took off from here in 1927. His destination was Paris. This marked the beginning of his solo transatlantic flight. Amelia Earhart and Wiley Post also graced this airfield. They added to its legendary status.
The British R34 airship landed at Upper Roosevelt Field on July 5, 1919. This marked the first east-west transatlantic crossing by air. It then returned to Britain. This completed the first round-trip transatlantic flight by an aircraft.
After the war, the government relinquished control of the property in 1920. The area was divided. Curtiss Field occupied the western portion. Roosevelt Field held the remainder. Roosevelt Field included hangars and a runway.
In 1926, René Fonck attempted a takeoff from Upper Roosevelt Field. He was in pursuit of the Orteig Prize. His Sikorsky S-35 was overweight. It crashed and burst into flames. The accident tragically killed two crew members.
In 1929, Roosevelt Field, Inc. bought both Curtiss Field and Roosevelt Field. The consolidated property was named Roosevelt Field. Unit 1 became the Roosevelt Raceway in 1936. Unit 2 continued as an aviation center. In the 1930s, it thrived as America’s busiest civilian airfield.
During World War II, the Navy and Army utilized Roosevelt Field. Commercial operations resumed after the war. In 1950, real estate developers acquired Roosevelt Field. The airfield closed on May 31, 1951.
Today, the eastern field has transformed. It is now a retail shopping area and townhouses. The original flying field is a shopping mall. A fresco depicting aviation history once adorned Upper Roosevelt Field. It has since been relocated. You can now find it at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology in Queens.
Upper Roosevelt Field is more than just a memory. It’s a testament to human ambition. It is also a testament to aviation innovation. Its legacy continues to inspire. It reminds us of the daring spirit of those who conquered the skies.