windows of history

 

This brick hangar served as the first municipal airport for Lubbock.  Built in 1930 with typical hangar design of the time, the hangar has Art Deco features like brick designs, cast concrete features and parapet caps. The tall steel sliding doors with paned windows roll on a rail and face the runway.  In addition to general and commercial aviation, the hangar served as part of the South Plains Army Airfield during World War II as training base for glider pilots.  During the first years of operation as a municipal airport  planes used grass strips; concrete runways were not added until 1938.  My dad and his cousin flew in the Aeronca 65 horsepower two-seater to visit their grandpa in Pampa.  They would roll the plane out of the hangar, take off north on the grass strips and navigate by water towers and creek beds because there were no railroads and paved roads to follow.  After landing in grandpa's pasture and a brief visit, they would head home.  They were about 13 or 14 years old.

 

Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport

Hub City Aviation

6004 North Cedar

Lubbock, Texas