Potheir/Buttonwoods Field, Warwick, Rhode Island
Pother Field, later known as Buttonwoods Airport, was located in the Buttonwoods section of Warwick, Rhode Island, on the shore of Greenwich Bay. Exactly when the airfield began operations is unclear, but based on newspaper articles it is known to have been in operation as early as the spring of 1927.
The airport was owned by Arman C. Pothier, nephew of former Rhode Island Governor, Aram J. Pothier; born 1854; died February 4, 1928.
In June of 1927 it was reported in the Woonsocket Call newspaper that Arman had offered his flying field for use by the City of Providence, free of charge, for a period of five years. At the time, Providence officials were actively seeking a location for an airfield, and with Pothier Field being on the water, it could also accommodate seaplanes.
Source: Woonsocket Call, “Woonsocket Flyer Offers Providence Use Of His Field”, June 2, 1927.
On July 26, 1928, the airport witnessed it’s first plane crash. For more information, click here.
On November 27, 1928, the airport witnessed another plane crash. For details, click here.
On May 25, 1930, a plane made a one-wheeled landing. For more information, click here.
By 1932 the airport had two runways. The east-west runway was 1,834 feet long, and the north-south runway was 1,856 feet long.
The following information is from a publication distributed by the Unites States Department of Commerce – Bureau of Air Commerce, titled, “Descriptions of Airports and Landing Fields in the Unites States”, Airway Bulletin #2, dated September 1, 1934.
“Warwick – Buttonwoods Field, auxiliary. Located on Greenwich Bay in Buttonwoods section of the city. Altitude, 10 feet. Open for seaplanes. No service facilities.”
