Arrow Aircraft Airfield: 1928-1986
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
At the beginning of the 20th century, Lincoln boasted a number of airfields around the city. At the moment, it is unknown how much "competition" existed between each of them; however, most of the airfields did have an immediate connection with their own airplane manufacturing businesses in the city. Arrow Airfield is a very good example.
While no historical marker exists today, this location and the grassy fields that used to surround it served an important role in driving Lincoln aviation innovation.
Images
Published by the US Department of Commerce in the early 20th century, the Airway Bulletin documented nearly every airfield in the country complete with maps, expected weather conditions, and landing instructions.
Published by the US Department of Commerce in the early 20th century, the Airway Bulletin documented nearly every airfield in the country complete with maps, expected weather conditions, and landing instructions.
Located between present-day Interstate 80 and the Burlington Northern Railroad, this map shows Arrow Airport's orientation relative to the rest of Lincoln in 1964.
Various models of Arrow aircraft in front of hangars, c.1929
Arrow Flying School, Arrow Airport
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Labeled as simply a "landing strip" by 1986 by the United States Geological Survey, Arrow Airport had a period a great activity.
At one time, the airfield was heavily considered as a possible site for Lincoln's main municipal airport.
Sources
Freeman, Paul. Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Northeastern Nebraska. December 29th 2019. Accessed July 8th 2021. http://www.airfields-freeman.com/NE/Airfields_NE_NE.htm#arrow.
Goeres, Vince. Wings Over Nebraska. Lincoln, Nebraska. History Nebraska, 2010.
Airway Bulletin, Department of Commerce, entry #924, https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3122371&view=1up&seq=253
Airway Bulletin, Department of Commerce, entry #924, https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3122371&view=1up&seq=254
https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/ht-bin/tv_browse.pl?id=a9eee61f5f7c57458e881b1ac8efeb6c
History Nebraska, RG2183 MacDonald Studio (Lincoln, NE)
History Nebraska, RG2183.PH001929-000803-2