Israel Putnam Airport     

Updated December, 2025

     On June 26, 1930, it was announced in the Putnam Patriot that  Whitman Danielson, and Subbo Nikoloff, both of Putnam, and Mrs. F. W. Goodridge of Pomfret, had formed an association to establish the Putnam Airport Inc.  The airport would be located on the farm of John Larned in the Gary section of town, and would be known as the Israel Putnam Airport.  The area was ideal for an airport due to its high location.  This airport would exist separate and apart from an existing airfield known as Mantup Field, also located in the Gary section of Putnam.   

     The incorporation for the Putnam Airport began with a capital of $50,000, with $5,000 paid in. 

     In October of 1930, a Colonial Airlines plane had made an emergency landing at the field due to heavy fog conditions.   Not long afterwards, workers began clearing more of the land to expand the field to include a total of 85 to 90 acres.   

     In December of 1931 it was announced that Robert A. Vignault of Boston had been hired as manager of the airport and would be living in the farm house on the property.  Dean Willis of Holbrook, Massachusetts, had been hired as assistant manager. 

     It was also reported that Putnam was now a “Flag Station” for Colonial Airways, meaning that planes could be signaled to land for passengers or freight by displaying special six foot by one foot panels panels, or red flares at night.     

     The flying field at this time was a half-mile long by a quarter of a mile wide. A barn on the property was in the process of being torn down, and it was hoped that it would be replaced with a hangar by the summer of 1932.  

     By May of 1932 improvements had been made, but the field still lacked a hangar.  It was also in 1932 that the U. S. Postal Service took an interest in the airport as part of its developing air mail service.  

     In 1933 it was announced that the U. S. Government would take over the airport as part of a ten year lease, and make improvements that would turn it into a “first class airport”.  Construction began in late August/early September of that year.  Improvements included the erection of a large beacon tower.    

      In June of 1935, and air circus was held at the airport courtesy of the local American Legion.  The program included a number of planes from the Connecticut National Guard flying in tight formations as well as stunt pilots and other activities.  

     In October of 1935 the airport held an “open house” for the public to view the latest aviation weather and navigation technology systems.   

     By February of 1935 the Federal Government established a radio station for aircraft communications at the airport.  In September of 1939 the government was considering relocating the radio station to the then newly constructed airport in Willamantic.  This raised voices of protest in Putnam as it was reported that it would mean the end of Putnam’s airport.   

     It is unknown when the Putnam Airport closed, but newspaper reports indicate that it remained in operation at least until the end of World War II.   

     Sources:

     Putnam Patriot, “Putnam Airport Will Have 85 to 90 Acres”, October 23, 1930. 

     Putnam Patriot, “Putnam Airport A Flag Station” December 17, 1931

     Putnam Patriot, “Government May Take Over Local Airport”, May 9, 1932.  

     Putnam Patriot, “Government To Supervise Airport”, September 21, 1933. 

     Windham County Observer, “Start Erection Of Beacon For Air-Line At Putnam”, November 1, 1933. 

     Windham County Observer, “Putnam Airport Radios Reports To Airplanes”, February 2, 1935.

     Windham County Observer, “Air Circus At Airport Sunday” June 25, 1935

     Putnam Patriot, “Putnam Airport Opens To Public All Next Week”, October 10, 1935. 

     Putnam Patriot, “Saving The Airport”, October 19, 1939.