PRINCETON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

  The Princeton Municipal Airport was opened in 1936 and remained in operation until May 1954 when the present Mercer County Airport was opened on Hurricane Ridge. The Princeton Municipal Airport’s dedication took place on August 14, 1937. This was in conjunction with the Mercer County Centennial held on August 12, 13, & 14. Assistant Secretary of War, Louis A. Johnson was the keynote speaker. He arrived that day in an Army transport. Mr. Johnson was a native of Clarksburg, West Virginia. It was anticipated that he would be promoted to Secretary of War in the near future.

  George E. Lynch, Manager of the airport, also operated the Lynch Flying Service. He held a commercial pilot’s flight examiners certificate issued by the Civil Aeronautics Administration. He operated a Government approved flight school that was certified by the same organization. From the airport they flew non-scheduled flights of passengers and cargo to and from many points in the United States. The flight service had 10 planes; seven for student training and three for passenger transport. The flight school featured Cessna sales and service. An average of 30 students were in training during any period.

  During World War II, many of the young men stationed at Concord College (Concord University), trained at the airport for the Army Air Force. Reed Wheby, Princeton resident, recalls the time he trained in a Waco Trainer at the airport. Over 2000 young men trained at the Princeton Municipal Airport during the war. The airport was frequently used as a stopover for through planes including some of the Federal Government’s largest military planes. At times there were several hundred local residents and out-of town visitors gathered at the airport to see the big planes.

  The Princeton Municipal Airport was not equipped with night-lights. During emergency landings at night, the citizens of Princeton would be notified by word-of-mouth or by radio and several cars would line the runway with their bright lights on so the plane could make a safe landing. JoAnna Miller Fredeking tells of going with her father, Charles E. Miller, to watch these night-flights make a safe landing.

  Written By: The Old Town Princeton Foundation, Inc.