Bader Field

By cwray
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    History of Bader Field

  • The beginning

    The beginning
    Atlantic City opens its Aviation Carnival on a bayside tract that had been a dumping ground for furnace cinders from the city's luxury hotels on July 4 with a crowd of 100,000. "Sky Man" Glenn H. Curtiss establishes American aeroplane history by flying fifty miles over the ocean in 74 minutes 19 seconds at an average 40 mph to win $5,000 prize from the Atlantic City Aero Club.

  • The first Air Show

    The first Air Show
    On July 12, Curtiss, the founder of the world's largest aircraft manufacturer during World War II, dropped oranges from 200 feet above the ocean off the Atlantic City coast to demonstrate how ships could be bombed.

  • First flight to a mile high

    Richard Brookins departs from Bader Field and becomes the first aviator to fly a mile high, setting the record at 6,176 feet.

  • Bader Field gets its name

    Bader Field, named for Edward L. Bader, Atlantic City's mayor from 1920 to his death in 1927, is established by people looking for a port for their seaplanes. Promoter Henry Woodhouse of the Atlantic City Aero Club is credited with calling it the country's first municipal "airport" - rather than an airfield or aerodrome - when it opens on May 10th.

  • The first landing

    Roland Rohlfs, flying from New York, is the first to land at the airfield and is awarded a $500 Pulitzer Prize.

  • Sold!

    The airport is sold to the city July 8.

  • Lucky Lindy visits "ideal location"

    Lucky Lindy visits "ideal location"
    Charles A. Lindbergh flies the Spirit of St. Louis into Bader Field on Oct. 19 - five months after crossing the Atlantic Ocean - and comments on its "ideal location."

  • Rocket man William Swan scores another Bader Field first

    Rocket man William Swan scores another Bader Field first
    As a gimmick to lure tourists to Steel Pier, William G. Swan becomes the first to fly a rocket-powered aircraft as he takes off from Bader Field.

  • Flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker operates Bader Field

    Flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker operates Bader Field
    World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker, celebrates the naming of his company, Eastern Airlines, as operator of Bader Field by flying in Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Gene Tunney and other celebrities.

  • Black pilots complete flight across U.S., starting at Bader Field

    Black pilots complete flight across U.S., starting at Bader Field
    Pilots Dr. Albert E. Forsythe and C. Alfred Anderson depart Bader Field for Los Angeles to become the first blacks to complete the transcontinental flight.

  • Bader Field enters WWII

    Bader Field enters WWII
    A week before the attack on Pearl Harbor, the local Civil Air Patrol, carrying depth bombs, began searching the coastline for Nazi submarines.

  • Banner planes take flight

    Banner planes take flight
    Harry "Knock" Nordheim, the first pilot licensed at Bader Field in 1930, establishes the Atlantic City Aerial Service, a banner-towing business. He runs the airport for the city for 22 years.

  • Air Taxi service

    Maurice "Curt" Young operates his fleet of 14 customized air taxis and a Flying Instruction School out of Bader Field.

  • City takes federal funds for Bader Field upkeep

    City accepts federal grant obligating it to keep the airport open at least until Sept. 18, 2006.

  • Bader Field carrier files for bankruptcy

    Southern Jersey Airways, the largest operator, files for bankruptcy but continues flights. They go out of business in 1991.

  • Other uses for Bader Field are first considered

    Other uses for Bader Field are first considered
    Mayor James Whelan proposes permitting only helicopter landings and says he would support an amusement park at the site. In March, the Federal Aviation Administration denies a ban of private aircraft, but indicates willingness to discuss a "revised role".

  • Air traffic slows down in favor of AC International

    Air traffic slows down in favor of AC International
    A Casino Association-sponsored report indicates air traffic is dwindling at Bader Field in favor of Atlantic City International Airport in Egg Harbor Township.

  • Airport tower shuts down

    Airport tower shuts down
    Pan Am World Services, the airport manager, says it cannot afford $150,000 to keep the control tower open; it shuts down Oct. 15.

  • Baseball stadium OK'd

    In June, the FAA agrees to allow construction of a baseball stadium. The city is required to keep airport open until 2006.

  • Closing of Bader Field sought

    On July 25, city files paperwork with FAA to close airport on Sept. 18. The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority offers assistance in redevelopment. A casino analyst believes the site will sell for at least $1 bilion to build a casino, condominiums and retail stores with a connecting bridge from the Atlantic City Expressway.

  • Sate wants a say in future of Bader Field

    Sate wants a say in future of Bader Field
    Gov. Jon S. Corzine signs a law on Aug. 14 requiring state approval of any sale or lease of Bader Field, a result of an effort spearheaded by Whelan.

  • No bids for property

    The city's June 30 deadline for bids comes and goes with no official offers.

  • Search for a buyer goes on...

    In May, the city provided a contract to Atlantic City-based Silk and Associates to market the sale of Bader Field.

  • Bader Field closes for good

    FAA approves closure of the facility for Sept. 30.