Kingman’s Aviation History
Port Kingman--The Late 1930s
January 25, 1935—Amelia Earhart Passes Over Kingman This A. M., a small front page article on the Mohave County Miner. Miss Earhart passed over Kingman about 10 AM. She was on her way to Kansas City and she is flying the same plane she used to fly from Honolulu to San Francisco. She is the first person to cross Pacific Ocean solo. (mcm)
April 19, 1935—Laura Ingalls Announces Dangerous Flight to Unnamed Destination When Here Thurs., Describes Experiences in Attempt to Break Cross-Country Record to Mohave Miner Newshawk, the front page of the Mohave County Miner. Miss Laura Ingalls was trying to make a new cross-country record and was forced down in Alamosa, CO. She was on her way to East Coast as part of her cross-country trip. She is flying a big black Lockheed plane. She landed at Port Kingman on Wednesday night and left at 8:40 AM Thursday morning. She will make another attempt in 24 hours. That is when a new engine being check by Pacific Airmotive mechanic. Her first attempt was Tuesday morning at 5:10 AM leaving Los Angeles. She encountered a dust storm in the vicinity of Tucumcari, NM. She gained altitude to avoid the storm. Somewhere between Amarillo and Wichita, she again encountered more severe weather. So she turned around and headed back to Los Angeles. She did not want to destroy the engine she decided to go back to Los Angeles. She was not going to risk her life or the airplane in the storms. (mcm)
May 31, 1935—New Radio Mast is to be Installed by Local Airway Radio, the front page of the Mohave County Miner. The Bureau of Air Commerce and Air Division of the U. S. Department of Commerce sent a notice to the local Kingman Airway Radio Station. The notice is about advertising for bids for a steel radio mast erection at Port Kingman. The new antenna mast will be 125 foot. This includes a concrete foundation with approximately 16 cu. yards. Kingman Airway Radio Station operator in charge, H. Anderson will receive all plans and specifications from all local contractors. The bids need to be in by 2 PM on June 7 at Port Kingman. (mcm)
July 12, 1935—Laura Ingalls Over Kingman at 6:19 PM, front page article of the Mohave County Miner. Yesterday morning, Laura Ingalls left Floyd Bennett Airport, NY. at 4:31:30 and landed at Burbank, Ca. at 7:52 PM. She passed over Kingman at 6:19 PM. If she landed at 6:30 PM, she could have broken the record. Amelia Earhart still has the record for 17 hours, 7 minutes and 30 second, flying east to west. She used the TWA route all the way. (mcm)
July 19, 1935—General Leach and Capt. Cummings Meet Here After Plane Accident, Spends Night in Local Hotel After Receiving Medical Attention of Local Doctor, the front page of the Mohave County Miner. “Believed to be the highest ranking officer ever to have jumped from an airplane, Major General George E. Leach, chief of the Militia Bureau of the War Department, arrived in Kingman at midnight last Monday after an adventure that will long remain as one of the highlights of his life, and with the evidence which will admit him to the “Caterpillar Club”, a club in which only flyers or passengers who have “bailed out” to save their lives, are admitted.” He left Winslow with Capt. Charles M. Cummings as his pilot. There was a fuel line leak that started a fire. Capt. Cummings informed the General to get ready to jump, but the General heard jump so he jumped. They were just beyond Seligman, AZ. Capt. Cummings flew the plane and crashed it in a landing near Fort Rock, AZ. He walked to a ranch near Fort Rock for help. He went back to Seligman to start a search for the General. So he got on a train for Kingman, also he informed March Field, Ca. about the situation of the General. When he arrived at Kingman, he was taken to Port Kingman and met with Lt. L. Raybold and private pilot C. K. Dunbar. They started their search for the General. About 11:50 PM, W. C. Denny brought the General to Port Kingman. The General has the radio operator to recall the search planes and informed March Field. The General had a badly skinned left arm from the jump. He walked two miles to a sheep camp and asked Joe Villaloros for help. He took the General to Jack Tremberth’s ranch at Munds Wells. But they ran out of gas. Then Mr. Denny and Louis Sandoval met the two and took them to the ranch. The General received first air for his arm and had some food and drink. The General was checked out by Dr. A. C. Dick. The General and Capt. spent the night at Beale Hotel. At 8 AM, the two left for March Field. The General thanked everybody involved. (mcm)
September 20, 1935—Air Line Seeks to Establish Flights over Boulder Lake, page 5 article of the Mohave County Miner. Transcontinental and Western Air, Inc. has inquired with the Interstate Commerce Commission about whether it has jurisdiction over new stops on the route for New York to Los Angeles. TWA wants to start four flights daily between Las Vegas to Winslow to Los Angeles. This includes carrying air mail along with passengers. They want the air travelers to see the Grand Canyon, Boulder Dam, and Boulder Lake. (mcm)
January 24, 1936—Local TWA Men get Service Awards, a small article on the front page of the Mohave County Miner. On Tuesday evening, Charles M. Lundblad, H. E. Midkiff, W. C. Thompson, and W. E. Baker received 5-year pins for working for Transcontinental and Western Air. L. W. Goss, Superintendent of the Pacific Division, and M. Tucker, TWA engineer, were at the dinner give the pins to the TWA employees. The dinner was held at Kit Carson. (mcm)
May 1, 1936—Plane Crash Kills Pilot Here Today, Fire Chars Pilots Body, Small Army Plane From March Field Has Motor Trouble Just After Takeoff From Local Port, front page headline of the Mohave County Miner. “Evident motor trouble caused the crash of P-12 army plane and the death of Pilot Roberts at the local field about 10:45 o’clock this morning. The plane, besides being demolished, caught fire and burned completely, leaving the flyer’s body charred beyond recognition.” Mr. Roberts left March Field, Riverside, CA. this morning at 8:30 AM en route to Winslow, AZ. He landed at Port Kingman about 10 AM and did not refuel but left the plane running its motor. So he did not register. Emmett Baker, the manager of Port Kingman, saw the plane head to the northwest and was approximately over the sheep herder’s camp near the Feldspar Mine. The plane turned around and was coming back to the airport. Before reaching the airport, just a few hundred feet from the fence, the plane crashed and caught fire. The TWA employees poured sand on the fire to put it out. Coroner E. E. Wishon called for coroner’s jury and the body was removed by the Van Marter Mortuary. The inquest will not be held until tomorrow, when Army Air Corps personnel have arrived. Not much is known about Mr. Roberts, except he was cadet flyer and not an officer. (mcm)
May 29, 1936—Sign for Airplanes Being Painted on Lumber Yard Roof, small article on page 5 of the Mohave County Miner. The U. S. Aeronautical Service’s painters were here this week. The job was to paint the word “Kingman” on the roof of the Tarr, McComb & Ware’s lumber storage building at West Front Street. The letters are 14 feet in height so it can be seen from a great elevation. Along with the “Kingman” sign is an arrow pointing to the way of Port Kingman at the northeast of town. (mcm)
June 12, 1936—WPA Setup for Air Port Being Asked, Pierce Ferry Field to be Junction Point; Local Port to Remain, front page of Mohave County Miner. Grand Canyon Airlines has plans to build a hotel and lodging house at Pierce Ferry and the establishment of an airport. Ed Campbell, chief pilot, and James E. Kintner, vice-president, were here early this week. They were accompanied by R. L. Campbell of Bureau of Air Commerce. They met with the board of supervisors about $25,000 WPA project. To help improve the road from US 93 to Pierce Ferry, including an improvement of the landing field at that place. Pilots of the airline will be flying over Grand Canyon – Boulder Dam route on June 15. After the inspection is completed, starting on July 1st will begin. Airway’s officials want to plan a junction at Pierce Ferry for a combination of air and water trip. The water trip would start at the Grand Canyon and go down to the Boulder Dam. The trip is very scenic for the traveler. (mcm)
Mail Route From Kingman to Vegas Gets More Study, another article on the front page of the Miner. The Post Office will make a further survey of a proposed mail route between Kingman, Boulder City, and Las Vegas, NV. The department has made reports out of Washington, D. C. Already done are the preliminary reports and being looked at by the Assistant Postmaster General. With the establishment of the mail service from Las Vegas and another part of Nevada to Kingman and Northern Arizona and the rest of Arizona would quicken the mail service in a 24 hour to the Post Offices. (mcm)
July 10, 1936—New Daily Air Service to Dam is Inaugurated, on the front page of the Mohave County Miner. Grand Canyon Airlines inaugurated their new daily service, flying from Las Vegas field to the Grand Canyon Field by flying over the Grand Canyon. There are stops being made at the new field at Pierce Ferry. Murl Emery, Inc. has boats to take the traveler to the mouth of the Grand Canyon and down to the Boulder Dam. So the traveler gets to see some of the most beautiful country in the world. There are 6 radio equipped airplanes in operation. They have been inspected by federal agents and passed with high marks. (mcm)
September 4, 1936—New Air Route to Boulder Speeds Air Mail to East, North, front page article of the Mohave County Miner. The new mail service between Kingman and Boulder City and Las Vegas is showing its worth. Airmail leaves Kingman at 9:20 AM and then leaves Las Vegas at 2:30 PM to all points north and east. The service is shortening the time by several hours instead of by sending it by rail to Winslow or Los Angeles from Kingman. Postmaster Vernon Hubbs has stated that amount of air mail being carried since the inaugurated August 24th has been considerably more than anticipated. The air mail service is from Kingman to Chloride to Boulder City to Las Vegas. (mcm)
September 25, 1936—Albert Schwerin Granted Patent for Airplane Device, front page article of the Mohave County Miner. “Albert Schwerin and Stanley Bentley have been granted a patent for an improvement in a cargo releasing device for aircraft. Generally stated, this invention comprises a cargo storing compartment in the fuselage of the aeroplane which is open at the bottom of the cargo receptacle. The receptacle is held in place by resting upon laterally directed extension from shafts. The operation a lever by the pilot releases the compartment and it, by its gravity and springs, is projected into space.” After being released, the compartment has a parachute that is automatically opened and descends to the ground safely. The simplicity of construction affords a reasonable cost for manufacture and installation. Mr. Schwerin is a resident of Kingman for number of years. (mcm)
October 9, 1936—Flying Club is Organized Here, front page of the Mohave County Miner. The local flying enthusiasts are forming a flying club. Twenty young people, both men and women, wish to learn to fly should be in the club. The first meeting was last night at Port Kingman. The next weekly meeting is Thursday night. Officers will be elected. Leonard Pemberton, service man at the Old Trails, and his cousin, Earl Pylant are from Glendale, AZ. They are licensed pilots and will be instructors. (mcm)
October 30, 1936—Kingman Air Mail Now Routed West From Las Vegas, front page of the Mohave County Miner. After instituting a mail route between Kingman and Las Vegas, two months ago, will now change effectively Monday this week. Due to a faster bus schedules by Arthur Black, the mail can reach Las Vegas in time to be taken up by the westbound plane and as well the eastbound plane. As for the air service, the local Post Office before 8:30 or 9 AM could get the mail delivered to Las Vegas in time to catch the eastbound plane. But under the new regulation it is possible for a letter deposited in the Kingman Post Office in the morning to reach Los Angeles the same afternoon. (mcm)
December 18, 1936—Local Flying Club Will Buy New Airplane, front page article of the Mohave County Miner. The flying club plane for instruction will be 1937 Taylor Cub and will be delivered sometime in the next year. One of the instructors is Earl Pylant and he will turn 19 year old after Christmas. He started his aviation interests very young. He made model planes and flew them. He still does this as a hobby. The other instructor is Leonard Pemberton and he is Earl’s uncle. Earl flies a 37 horsepower plane and helps in setting up other flying clubs. So far there are 18 members in the club. The club has to stay at 20 members, so if is under they will let new members in. Leonard Pemberton was elected president, James Hall as secretary and Don Walsh as treasurer. (mcm)
January 15, 1937—Garage Men Buy New Monoplane, Tony Melles and Addison Richey Owners of Plane Flown Here by Melles, page 10 of the Mohave County Miner. Tony Melles and Addison Richey have bought a Porterfield 70 horsepower monoplane, which is parked at Port Kingman. In late October, Mr. Melles flew back to Kansas City, MO. There he spent two months learning to fly. He took a ground course and flying instructions. He had decent weather for learning to fly. He was trained at the Porterfield factory. Mr. Enas, the factory pilot, was his instructor and thought Mr. Melles was a capable pilot. He flew 6 and ½ hours of solo time. Mr. Melles flew from Kansas City to Wichita to Amarillo to Albuquerque to Lordsburg, NM to El Paso to Tucson to Phoenix and then Kingman. On his way back, he was grounded at Amarillo, TX and Albuquerque, NM for bad weather. During this flight home, he flew another 15 hours. Mr. Melles joined the Kingman Flying Club and became very interested in aviation. Mr. Richey has been a pilot for awhile. Mr. Melles is the owner of Old Trails Garage, Conoco Oil Agency, and U. S. 66 Service Station. Mr. Richey is a car salesman at Old Trail Garage (General Motors dealer). The Porterfield is a single cockpit with dual controls and can cruise at 100 miles an hour. They are also planning to build a hanger for the plane. (mcm)
March 12, 1937—Airplane Contest Rules Announced, page 4 of the Mohave County Miner. Henry May of the Central’s Hardware Department, announces an airplane contest with the rules and prizes. This is to be held at Port Kingman on May 2nd. There will be three classes.
CLASS A
Prizes: First, Trophy; Second, Silver Cup
1. No planes are barred except those powered with gas, compressed air or spring motors
2. Any plane may be ground or hand launched as contestant desires
3. Model must be built by contest
4. Each model will be permitted two trials and longest flight will be scored
5. Models may be registered a week before at Central Commercial Co. Store or on the field before the contest
6. Each contestant may enter as many planes as desired but each must bear a different number
7. Planes will be judged by appearance as well as flying
CLASS B
Prizes: First, Silver Cup; Second, Airplane Kit
1. Planes entered in free-for-all may be entered in this class is the owner is within age limit
2. Contestants must be over 10 years and under 16
3. Same other rules as in Class A
CLASS C
Prizes: First, Silver Cup; Second, Airplane Kit; Third, Airplane Set
1. Class is limited to boys or girls 10 years of age or younger
2. Planes that have been entered in other event may be entered in this class it they are property of the contestant
3. Same other rules as Class A. (mcm)
April 30, 1937—Model Airplane Races at Ball Park on Sunday, page 5 article of the Mohave County Miner. The airplane contest sponsored by the Central Commercial Co. is being held at Kingman Ball Park on May 2nd at 2 PM. The entrants are registering and from all over the county. There is to be a big crowd on hand. The contest is free for all. (mcm)
May 28, 1937—Postponed Airplane Contest Schedule for June 6th, article in the Mohave County Miner. “The Central Commercial airplane contest postponed from May 2nd at the request of several entrants who were not able to have their planes ready by that time will be held on Sunday, June 6th, at the Kingman ball diamond at 10 o’clock in the morning.” (mcm)
June 4, 1937—C. C. Co. Airplane Contest Will Be Held Sunday A. M., front page article of the Mohave County Miner. Central Commercial is expecting a large attendance for the airplane contest. To be held at Kingman ball diamond on June 6, at 10 AM. The parents are becoming more interested in the contest by seeing what the younger generation is working for in the contest. (mcm)
Death Valley Scotty Will Take to Air on Next Trip, small article in the Mohave County Miner. “Walter Scott, better and more familiarly know as Death Valley Scotty, whose jovial presence has visited in Kingman during the past several months at frequent intervals, is on his way to make another quick trip from Los Angeles to Chicago.” Scotty had used a Santa Fe train some years ago to make a speedy trip to Chicago. The trip took 44 hours and 54 minutes. This time Scotty has chartered a TWA plane to do the trip. He will pay $7,500 for the trip. In addition, he will pay $200 for each hour lopped off from the train trip. He will have eight friends along for the ride. He also remarked, “It’s going to be a lot of fun.” (mcm)
June 11, 1937—C. Chase Wins Model Airplane Contest, page 10 of the Mohave County Miner. The Central Commercial Co. Airplane Contest winner was C. C. Chase, 15, and received a trophy. Silver Cups was awarded for second, third and fourth places which were Robert Dunbar, Dale Cofer, and Gordon Kapp. There was a fair crowd on hand for the contest. (mcm)
August 6, 1937—T.W. A. Transport Sleeper Here This Week for Repairs, the front page of the Mohave County Miner. Last Monday until today, a TWA transport sleeper was having the engines changed out. The plane was a Douglas Sky Sleeper; it has the capacity of 16 sleepers for the night and 21 for daytime. The plane was showing signs of engine problems flying towards Seligman. Then headed back to Port Kingman and the passengers were put on another plane. The engine was replaced and the plane left Kingman this morning. (mcm)
W. E. Baker, Airport Mgr. Here, Promoted, another front page article of the Miner. For the past seven years, Emmett Baker was Port Kingman manager. He received notice this past week about a promotion to transportation agent at Las Vegas. He and his family are going to leave Kingman about 15th or 20th of this month. (mcm)
August 13, 1937—Air Mail Route from Phoenix to Las Vegas Delayed, front page article of the Mohave County Miner. The new air mail service is being held up by the Post Office Department in Washington, D. C. The new service route is from Phoenix to Prescott to Kingman to Boulder City and then Las Vegas. (mcm)
August 27, 1937—New Personnel At Airport, TWA Office to Move, front page article of the Mohave County Miner. Emmett Baker announced the TWA is moving the office and radio station from Port Kingman to Las Vegas; present operations will stay here until facilities at Las Vegas are completed. Mr. Baker’s transfer will take effect on September 1. For Mr. Baker replacement has not been confirmed. Ed Hilty will remain here. William Farmer replaced Mr. Cominsky as third operator a few months ago, will now succeed W. C. Thompson as first operator. Mr. Thompson is transferred to Fresno, CA and left on the 19th. John Munds, former Kingman boy, has been attending school in Kansas City will become third operator. The TWA set up will not affect the government radio station. (mcm)
Special Stamps for 1st TWA Trip on Winslow-Frisco Run, another front page article on the Miner. “For the benefit of philatelists, TWA will carry first flight covers imprinted with a special cachet stamp aboard inaugural trips on its new San Francisco to Winslow air route, line officials said today.” On September 5th is the start of service and letters intended for the cachet should be addressed to postmasters before that date at San Francisco, Fresno, Las Vegas and Winslow. The envelopes should bear air mail postage and should be addressed to destination. They need to be sent under cover to the Postmaster and at the one of four towns mentioned. Postmasters G. T. Stevens of Winslow and Frank F. Garside of Las Vegas have told TWA, they already receiving letters for the first flight. The inscription on the cachet stamps reads, “First Flight, Winslow, Arizona, Las Vegas, Nevada, Fresno, California, San Francisco, California, U. S. Air Mail.” The air mail route flies over Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, Death Valley, Mt. Whitney, Boulder Dam, Lake Mead, and Grand Canyon. (mcm)
September 24, 1937--$8000 Improvement Planned at Airway Radio Station Here, the front page of the Mohave County Miner. With $7,000,000 for airway construction and improvement program was passed by Congress. Only $5,000,000 will be applied to the modernization of the present federal airway system. Kingman and Winslow will get $8,000 each for the installed simultaneous range and radiotelephone transmitters. The stations at each location are equipped with five tower vertical radiator antenna units. At Tucson, the present four tower equipment will be upgraded to the five tower installation. (mcm)
November 19, 1937—New Air Mail Service Here is Announced, front page article of the Mohave County Miner. The local Post Office received new postal arrangements this morning. The new arrangement is deposit air mail to the Post Office by 5:30 PM; it is put on the eastbound train #20 for Winslow. Where it is loaded on Flight 5 of the TWA and will reach Los Angeles by 7:04 AM. The service will cut air mail delivery time from 24 to 12 hours. It is the same with San Francisco. Same train but different flight, the flight is number 7. Mail clerks at Winslow are doing handling of the air mail for all destinations. (mcm)
December 24, 1937—American Flyer Describes Savagery of Conflict in China at Rotary Meeting, an article in the Mohave County Miner. Captain Bob Martin, an aviator, just returned from China. Captain Martin stated that he has been called a “soldier of fortune”, because of his aviation service in certain engagements. He described the Japanese Army way of war against the Chinese people. He told about the bombing experiences he had flown. He was employed by the Chinese Government. Captain Martin was introduced by D. S. Tuthill. (mcm)
January 7, 1938—Seven Enrolled in New Flying School, small article on the front page of the Mohave County Miner. Captain R. W. Martin is starting a new flying school at Port Kingman. He has seven students to instruct in flight school. The students are Mr. and Mrs. Tony Melles, C. M. Hart, Miss Margaret Von Biela, John Ware, Addison Richey and Dr. Monroe K. Ruch. Tony Melles is receiving a new Stimson Detroiter; he traded his Porterfield for this airplane. (mcm)
CC Purchases Aerial Photos, Map of Town; Rodeo, Jubilee Committee Named, Ore Monument Repaired, another article of the Mohave County Miner. The board of directors of the Mohave County Chamber of Commerce had a meeting to discussed having photos taken of Kingman. Capt. Bob Martin, aviator, and Mr. G. Whitehurst, aerial photographer, were present at the meeting. They were showing the result of their work and were able to give a reasonable price for the photos. The two men are flying all over the area and photographing active mining operations. The camera used for this type of work cost $6,000. The chamber bought a picture of Kingman. (mcm)
February 4, 1938—Airmail Route Through Kingman is Recommended, front page article of the Mohave County Miner. Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee asked Congress to provide funding of $985,177 for expansion of the air mail service throughout the nation for the fiscal year of 1939. This will establish an airmail line between Phoenix, Prescott, Kingman and Las Vegas; the line will come from the funding. The Post Office Department recommended the line, with the recent enactment of a bill by increasing 3,000 miles for authorization for air mail service. (mcm)
February 11, 1938—Airline Officials at Pierce Ferry Sat., a page 4 article of the Mohave County Miner. Jim Purvis the manager of the Pierce Ferry Branch of the Grand Canyon and Boulder Dam Tours, played host to 55 TWA officials on Saturday morning. The officials came by two planes, three cars and four boats. They were able to see Arizona’s scenic beauty up close. Here is a list of prominent members: Johnnie Walker, Vice-President in Charge of TWA from Kansas City; Clancy Dayhoff, Superintendent of Maintenance TWA, Kansas City; Lou Goss, Divisional Superintendent of TWA of Kansas City; George Cusen, Traffic Manager of TWA of Los Angeles; Guy Edwards, Supervisor of Boulder Dam Recreational Area, Boulder City; Bob Rose, Chief Naturalist, Boulder Bam Recreational Area, Boulder City; Dan Erskine, Naturalist, Boulder City; William Merrill, Ranger, Boulder City; Jim Walkup, Secretary of the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce; Lynn Hargrave, Field Director and Curator of Ornithology in the Northern Arizona Museum; Miss Dorothy Peach, Music Director in the Flagstaff School System; Mrs. Sarah Jones Tucker of Chicago, IL.; G. E. Ruckstell, President of the Grand Canyon and Boulder Dam Tours, Inc., Boulder City; and Sidney Basett, Vice-President of the Grand Canyon and Boulder Tours. (mcm)
March 25, 1938—Air Mail Schedules, page 6 of the Mohave County Miner. The Miner was able to get a schedule of the air mail service out Kingman. Airmail letters and packages mailed between 5:30 PM to 9 AM will connect with planes leaving Las Vegas, eastbound is 2:15 PM and westbound is 7:30 PM. Airmail mailed between 9 to 11 AM, will connect to plane to leave for Los Angeles going east, west, north, and south. Other air mail mailed between 11 AM to 5:30 PM, will connect to plane leaving Winslow, for the eastbound at 1 PM and westbound at 6 PM. (mcm)
April 15, 1938—Bids Asked For Air Mail Route Thru Kingman, New Phoenix to Las Vegas Route Would Make Stops at Prescott and Kingman; Passenger Service, BIDS TO BE OPENED MAY 3D, front page banner of the Mohave County Miner. “A wire from Washington sent by Congressman John H. Murdock last Saturday announces that bids will be asked for the transportation of air mail between Phoenix, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada, with stops at Kingman and Prescott, to be opened in Washington May 3. Postmaster Vernon Hubbs is already in receipt of the advertisements for bids.” The postmaster will be prescribed the schedules and regulations. The distance is 274 miles, one daily round trip except for Sundays and Holidays and has to be authorized. This includes day and night service. The company will have the contract three years. The Post Office Department has 30 days to accept or reject bids. Airplanes must be able to cruise at 140 miles an hour, carry a load of 1000 pounds, and carry at least 5 passengers. (mcm)
May 6, 1938—T. W. A. Is Low Bidder On New Air Route, Air Mail and Passenger Service Is Expected Within Sixth Days, Local Field Ample For Large Ships, Kingman, Prescott, Phoenix and Boulder City Will Be Served, front page banner on the Mohave County Miner. “That Kingman will shortly have direct air mail and passenger service seems assured by the announcement made by the post office department at Washington on Tuesday that the TWA had presented a low bid of 31 cents an air mile. The route between Phoenix, Arizona, and Boulder City, and Las Vegas, Nevada, is scheduled at 274 miles. The service under the present requirements of the bidder is for a six-day week flights, omitting Sunday. This is, of course, a temporary schedule, which will be later changed, if necessary, to meet the conditions and requirements of the service, both mail, and passengers.” Kingman in now a pivotal point on the TWA line, from Kingman you can fly to the east or west and now north or south. The new schedule will put into effect soon. Post Office has no new information on the schedule. (mcm)
May 20, 1938—Special Mail Plane Stopped Here Thurs., 279 Letters Are Mailed From Kingman, Envelopes All Used, a front page article of the Mohave County Miner. As part of the nationwide celebration of National Air Mail Week, yesterday, the first air mail is flown out of Kingman. The outgoing pouch weight 6 pounds and carried 279 letters. The incoming pouch was very light. Louis Price, Floyd Murphy, and Ray Purvis are some of the pilots flying the route. Some of them could not reach Kingman because of nasty weather. Louis Price arrived at Port Kingman at 8 o’clock in the morning. Floyd Murphy and Ray Purvis did make it thru, they arrived at 11:55 AM and stayed for 15 minutes and left for Prescott. (mcm)
May 27, 1938—Contract Approved For Kingman Air Mail Route, Air Mail, Passenger Service Assured Near Future, a front page banner on the Mohave County Miner. “It was announced in Washington yesterday that the air mail contract for the flying of mail between Phoenix and Las Vegas and Boulder City, Nevada, with regular stops at Prescott and Kingman, has been approved by the post office department and the contract with the Transcontinental and Western Air, Inc., closed.” Jack Frye, President of TWA and former Arizonan, will arrive shortly to inaugurate the new service. Kingman will now be a pivotal position on the TWA system. You can east or west as before and now you can go north and south. The new air mail service will greatly help out Kingman and Mohave County connecting to the nation by having speedy service in air mail. (mcm)
June 17, 1938—Fields Being Prepared For New Air Route, Work On Prescott Field Is Nearly Complete, Local Field Next, front page of the Mohave County Miner. Port Kingman will some needed work done to be part of the new air mail route from Phoenix to Las Vegas. Prescott Field is fixed now and getting ready for the new air service. The Prescott Field has the runway extended and some more additions to the field. Port Kingman should expect the same as Prescott, only small improvements are required to comply with federal regulations. (mcm)
June 24, 1938—Heavy Mail Coming Here For First Air Mail Flight in County, front page article of the Mohave County Miner. There has been no definite date set for the new air mail service. Postmaster Vernon Hubbs has been receiving 75 to 125 letters daily for air mail delivery. (mcm)
July 8, 1938—Cachet For First Flight is Shown, front page of the Mohave County Miner. Postmaster Vernon Hubbs is receiving hundreds of letters for “First Flight”. He is expecting to hear soon when the new service will begin. He is showing the cachet for the letters going out in the first flight. (mcm)
July 15, 1938—California Couple Injured In Wreck Near Air Port Here, a small front page article of the Mohave County Miner. Late Monday afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Barney Bledsoe and son Billie were traveling by the airport and had a tire blowout. This causes the car to lose control and left the highway and turning over. Passing motorist gave aid and the Van Marter ambulance was summoned. They were taken to the Mohave County General Hospital for treatment. Mrs. Bledsoe had a fractured collarbone, Mr. Bledsoe had a severe cut around the head and Billie had only some bruising. They were released last evening and headed back to Santa Paula, CA., their home. (mcm)
September 2, 1938—Air Mail Thru Kingman Will; Start Nov. 1ST, T. W. A. President In Phoenix Friday to Complete Arrangements, front page article of the Mohave County Miner. “Jack Frye, president of the TWA, Inc., is expected in Phoenix today, Friday, arriving in a stratosphere plane which flies at about 20,000 feet. He is to be accompanied by other officials of the company and will inspect the Sky Harbor field preparatory to inaugurating the passenger and mail service over the new airline between Phoenix, Prescott, Kingman and Las Vegas, Nevada. This connection with existing airlines will give direct service from the various stops with San Francisco, and the east and west established lines. It is announced that the service will commence Nov. 1.” (mcm)
October 21, 1938—Phoenix, Kingman Postmasters Expect Air Mail Service to Start Here On November 1st, Field Inspections Is Possible Cause of Delay, a front page article of the Mohave County Miner. Postmaster George H. Todd of Phoenix and Vernon Hubbs has mentioned the tentative date for the air mail service will begin on November 1st. This suggests that some physical difficulties have to be ironed out, possibilities at other landing field between Phoenix and Las Vegas. The Prescott Field has had some improvements made and trying to meet the requirements needed for the air mail service to go thru. As for Port Kingman, the field meets the requirements. (mcm)
October 28, 1938—Air Mail Route Starts On November 1, Kingman And Prescott Not Yet Included, Improvements to Landing Fields Said to be Needed Before Stops Will be Made At Kingman, Prescott, a front page article of the Mohave County Miner. “The Phoenix-San Francisco mail route of the Transcontinental Western Air will begin as scheduled on November 1, but Kingman and Prescott will not be included in the starting schedule.” But Boulder City, Las Vegas and Fresno will be served. Kingman and Prescott will be added later when improvements are completed. There will be a one daily round trip, leave San Francisco at 7:15 AM and arrive in Phoenix at 1:53 PM. The return trip leaves Phoenix at 3:15 PM and arrive 8:39 PM in San Francisco. There has been daily test hops over the route, but not stopping in Kingman or Prescott. Postmaster Vernon Hubbs is hoping that Kingman will be added. Inauguration of this mail service will greatly help Kingman. (mcm)
November 4, 1938—T. W. A. Shuns Kingman and Prescott Mail Stops, Frye Says T. W. A. – Owned Field Here Inadequate. Government Asks Bids for Mail Transportation to Field, front page banner of the Mohave County Miner. “The airmail service which was expected to benefit Kingman and Mohave County appears to have been set ahead for various reasons. The TWA says it is because the local landing field is unsatisfactory for the use of the equipment required in the operation of the airline between Phoenix and Boulder City and Las Vegas, Nevada. The same reasons are applicable to the landing field at Prescott.” For the initial flight on November 1st, Jack Frye, Arizona’s Pilot Number One and President of TWA, flew the out of San Francisco, landed at Boulder City and then flew on to Phoenix. He missed Kingman and Prescott, they were original stops on the air mail route. Mr. Frye states, “We haven’t pressed Kingman for these improvements as we did not feel the city could justify the required expenditure especially in view of the report being developed by the civil aeronautics authority in connection with the government participating in the development and operation of such airport.” In other words, Kingman will be insufficient in the air mail service. It would cost more to make a stop there. Editor Comment from the Miner: Mr. Frye should remember that Mohave County Board of Supervisors and Chamber of Commerce were able to obtain the land that Port Kingman sits on. The Town of Kingman and Mohave County has supported the airline since day one. (mcm)
November 25, 1938—20-30 Sponsoring Air Show Sunday, front page of the Mohave County Miner. Last Tuesday’s meeting of the 20-30 Club, several members were forced to be absent. So an informal meeting was held. The principle business was having an air show. Dick Long became the committee chairman. J. C. Moore and Lane Smith are part of the committee. The air show was to be held at the Berry Field next Sunday afternoon. (mcm)
December 2, 1938—20-30 Regrets Poor Air Show on Sunday, front page article of the Mohave County Miner. Last Tuesday, the principal business was the air show. There was a report on the air show, which leads to a discussion. The club had deep regret that the air show did not come up to standards which were specified in the agreement with Tommy Thompson, manager of the air show. The club suffered heavy losses and as well the crowd was disappointed. (mcm)
December 9, 1938—Civil Aeronautics Authority T. W. A., Post Office Dept. Disagree On Local Air Stop, Chamber of Commerce Contracts All Three Without Definite Information From Any of Them, the front page of the Mohave County Miner. “When the TWA on its initial flight from Las Vegas and Boulder City to Phoenix failed to land at Kingman and Prescott the people were questioning as to why this flight did not make stops as was scheduled in the original proposal for bids to carry the mail on the newly established air mail route. In Kingman, the chamber of commerce at once began a system of inquiries.” The Chamber was asking why TWA would not improve their airport. The Chamber wired the Post Office Department and asked what they can do. W. W. Howes, the First Assistant Postmaster General stated, “The Post Office Department advertised Kingman as a stop on the route between Phoenix and Las Vegas.” The statement continues, “Stops will be inaugurated as soon as the airport is approved by the Civil Aeronautics Authority for the use of the planes being operated by the carrier. It is suggested that your civic and municipal authorities take the matter up with the Civil Aeronautics Authority to determine what will be necessary before the Authority will approve the airport.” After the letter from the Post Office, the Chamber wrote a letter to the Civil Aeronautics Authority. The Civil Aeronautics Authority replies, “For your information, the Civil Aeronautics Authority has no jurisdiction over the designation of a particular community as to air mail stop. It is suggested that you take this matter up with the United States Post Office Department. If such an air mail stop can be authorized, the Civil Aeronautics Authority, in turn will conduct an inspection to determine the suitability of existing facilities to safely accommodate the type of service and airline equipment used by the airmail contractor.” So TWA says it is up to the Civil Aeronautics Authority, Post Office Department also said the same. The Civil Aeronautics Authority said they know nothing. The Chamber will keep inquiring. (mcm)
December 16, 1938—Scrugham, Chairman Of Naval Appropriations, Inspects Lake Mead As Air Base Possibility, front page article of the Mohave County Miner. “Lake Mead, the largest man-made lake in the world and the largest lake, with the exception of Lake Michigan, totally within the United States, seems destined for greater prominence in present day history. James G. Gcrugham, United States congressman from Nevada and chairman of the Navy appropriations committee has already inspected the site and facilities of Lake Mead as a huge inland air base for the navy.” This idea is nothing new for Lake Mead. Lake Mead has centrally located in the western part the states. The Navy has hinted at the idea. Lake Mead is less exposed, like Pacific Coast. If Lake Mead is used, it would handle hydroplane base, having floating hangers. (mcm)
March 31, 1939—Rotary Airplane Contest Rules, front page article of the Mohave County Miner. The Kingman Rotary Club is holding their annual airplane model contest at the high school athletic field on Sunday, May 7 at 2 PM. It is open to any pupil of Mohave County, this includes girls. There will be a $25 with grade awards. There will be three groups: 1st to 3rd grade, 4th to 7th grade, and 8th to 10th grade. Group 1 is limited to sail-o-plane type without rubber band or gasoline power. Group 2 is limited to rubber band power. Group 3 is limited to rubber band and gasoline power. (mcm)
April 21, 1939—Model Airplane Contest May 7th, front page article of the Mohave County Miner. The new contest replaces the kite flying contest. There is a new location for the event at Wallapai Field on May 7th. They need a bigger area to fly the models. (mcm)
May 5, 1939—Model Planes To Fly Sunday At TWA Airport, Replaces Rotary’s Annual Kite Contest, page 5 of the Mohave County Miner. “Arrangements are complete for the staging of the Kingman Rotary Club’s airplane contest which will be held at the local TWA airport on Sunday, May 7, at 2:30 p. m.” The Rotary’s Club is trying to stimulate the activity of young boys in craftsmanship and giving an incentive for careful manual training. Coach Bill Ball’s Manual Training Class will have several boys involved in working on planes for the event. There will be three groups: first to third grade, fourth to seventh grade, and eight to sophomores. Girls are also involved in making models. The planes power can come from rubber bands or gasoline motors. Judging will look at originality, design, decoration, finish and length of flight and flying ability. This is no fee, so it is free to all. The judges are Joe Benedict, Superintendent of Seligman Schools and an authority on model planes, Karl Hickerson, Principal of the Clarkdale Schools, E. E. Wishon and Carroll Farley of the Kingman Rotary Club. The son of Joe Benedict will have a model airplane there. (mcm)
May 5—New Plane Schedule Gives Faster Mail Service To Coast, page 12 article of the Miner. A new flight schedule of air mail service is connected to Kingman. A plane leaves Las Vegas to pick up mail. If mail is stamped and deposited at the Kingman Post Office by 9AM can be place on the 12:05 plane for Los Angeles. It is faster than the motor service. This is the help speeds up mail to Los Angeles and San Francisco. (mcm)
May 26, 1939—Post Office Dept. Asks What Has Been Done To Bring Airport To Standard, Good Authority Says Local Field Is Safe Now, front page headline of the Mohave County Miner. A grant was awarded in the Summer of 1938 to TWA for mail and passenger service between Phoenix and Las Vegas and had stops in Prescott, Kingman and Boulder City. TWA started the new service without making stops in Prescott and Kingman. “In anticipation of starting this air service, hundreds of letters of mail were received at the local post office to be mailed on the first flight out of here. Months have passed since that time and the letters still remain at the local post office. Postmaster Vernon Hubbs recently wrote the post office department concerning this particular mail. In response the post office department desires to know if there are any steps being taken to bring the field to the standard required by the Civil Aeronautics Authority and to report on the condition of the field. Postmaster Hubbs has this week made a reply to the request of the post office department, conveying the information and facts as they factually appear and as are generally covered in this item.” TWA did not make the stop at Port Kingman, saying that the airport needs improvements and town and county can’t carry the financial burden. The field is owned by TWA. They are saying the field needs improvements and they are paying for it. (mcm)
June 2, 1939—G. and G. Airline Asks North Route Through Williams, page 12 article of the Mohave County Miner. Last Wednesday, Civil Aeronautics Authority had hearings for 48 proposed new airlines. G and G Airline of Tucson is seeking a route from Phoenix to Boulder City and make stops in Prescott, Williams, Grand Canyon and Pierce’s Ferry. Applicants have to show “that in the territory proposed to be served there is sufficient potential traffic to justify the service and that the applicant is fit, willing and able to perform it.” If all 48 applicants are granted service, the permits will add 14,000 additional miles to the air routes that have been established. (mcm)
June 9, 1939—CAA to Examine Local Field for Airmail Planes, front page article of the Mohave County Miner. TWA has caused disappointment to people of Kingman, after a year. On Tuesday morning, the Post Office Department has requested the Civil Aeronautics Authority to make an examination of Port Kingman. They want to know if the field is ready for route AM-38 (Phoenix to Boulder City). The Post Office Department stated, “if the airport is found to be suitable by the Civil Aeronautics Authority the carrier will be requested to inaugurate service.” Local postmaster Vernon Hubbs is waiting with anxiousness. He has been helped by Mohave County Board of Supervisor, Mohave County Chamber of Commerce and certain individuals. The people of Kingman and Mohave County will benefit from the service. (mcm)
Aviatrix Here Wednesday A. M. Irks Officer, another front page article of the Mohave County Miner. Helen Tanner, from Ames, IA, landed her plane 75 miles southwest of Winslow, she ran out of fuel on Monday. She walked about 10 miles and found a ride. She spent the night in St. Johns. Tuesday, she returned to her plane with fuel and flew on to Winslow. She had no problem with the take-off from where she landed. She left Winslow at 3:29 Wednesday morning. She arrived at Port Kingman at 7:15 AM. Then she left for Los Angeles at 8:30 AM and arrived safely there. One thing she forgot to do notify her whereabouts. The Sheriff of Apache County John Nunn was upset with Mrs. Tanner. (mcm)
June 16, 1939—Progress On Air Stop Indicated, front page article of the Mohave County Miner. Postmaster Vernon Hubbs received a letter from the Post Office Department about AM-38. The letter addressed the local field not being used by TWA. The information gathered by Civil Aeronautics Authority is being processed. Besides Mr. Hubbs effort, the Chamber of Commerce is working very hard on the issue with TWA. (mcm)
September 8, 1939—Plane With Five Passengers Down At Meyers Ranch, a front page article of the Mohave County Miner. On Wednesday morning, about 10 AM, a Waco five passenger plane had to make a landing at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Meyers. The plane had a crash-landed about 300 yards north of the home which is located close to the Old Frost Ranch. It is 12 miles east of Kingman. The pilot, R. Bergdall and the plane’s owner, Dr. D. G. Norcross were on board. Also on the plane were Miss Florence Jones, Nurse, Wesley Price and Fred Kirby, both aviators. They were flying back to Los Angeles, after watching air racing derby in Cleveland, OH. Mr. Meyers was the first to the plane to see it everyone was ok. The plane was following Santa Fe Railroad tracks, from Seligman to Hackberry. This is when things went wrong. The pilot went off course and flying too close to the Hualapai Mountains. Everyone was fine and enjoyed the hospitality of the Meyers. Dr. Norcross had to cancel some surgery in Los Angeles. Mr. Meyers brought in Dr. Norcross and Miss Jones to catch a train, no trains were running yesterday. (mcm)
December 8, 1939—Ari Line Asks For North-South Route, page 4 article of the Mohave County Miner. Scenic American Air Line of Salt Lake City has applied for a permit to Civil Aeronautics Authority. They want to start a line from Salt Lake City to Phoenix. It will handle mail, property and passengers. The stops on the route are Prescott, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Richfield, Mt. Pleasant, Provo. (mcm)
you can email me at portkingman@gmail.com
you can email me at portkingman@gmail.com
© 2004-17 Rob Chilcoat, All Right Reserved.
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