It’s unknown for certain when the Mendon Airport officially opened, but research indicates it was in operation as early as September of 1928.  This info is based on a Woonsocket Call and Evening Reporter newspaper article dated September 17, 1928, that covered the story of the Blackstone Valley Fair being held in the town of Uxbridge, Massachusetts.  The article stated in part, “During the afternoon pilot Chapman of the Mendon Airport, accompanied by Miss Henrietta Appel of this town, contributed some stunt flying over the grounds…”

     The airport was located at the intersection of Rt 16 and Millville Road in Mendon, Mass.   

     On the weekend of July 27/28 1929, Bob Kamm’s Flying Circus of three aircraft performed aerial stunts at the airport.  The other two pilots were identified only as Lundberg and Webber.  Airplane rides were also offered,   

     On August 14, 1929, the airport saw its first aviation fatality.  For more information, click here. 

     On the weekend of October 5th and 6th an air meet was held at the airport under the direction of the airport’s chief pilot, Bob Kamm.  It was reported that “nearly a dozen” aircraft and “thousands” of spectators were in attendance. 

     Besides Mr. Kamm, other pilots participating in events included Ralph Barrows of Albany, N.Y., Joe James of Newport, R. I., and “Daredevil Dave” of Virginia, and 16-year-old Henrietta Appell of Uxbridge, Mass., as well as famous parachute jumper 21-year-old Miss Dolores Kelley of Hartford, Connecticut. 

     Cash prizes were offered for various events such as “dead stick” landings, and aerial aerobatics. 

     On September 13 1931, while an air meet was in progress, a Travelair biplane, with a pilot and two passengers aboard, was warming up in preparation of a sight-seeing flight when the aircraft suddenly burst into flames.  Fortunately everyone aboard was able to escape without injury, but the $7,000 airplane was destroyed. 

     The owner and operator of the airport at this time was identified as P. A. Miller.  Another source identified the owner as P. A. Millis.   

     It was further reported that three Massachusetts National Guard aircraft had participated in the meet and flew in formation over the Woonsocket area.   

     At another air meet on September 17 1939, held in observance of “National Air Progress”, twelve privately owned planes from Woonsocket, Smithfield, and Mendon, took off from Mendon Airport at 11:00 a.m. and flew as a group over surrounding cities and towns. 

     On the night of January 16, 1952, it was reported that a “spectacular” fire destroyed “one of the hangars of the old Mendon Airport”  (This would indicate that the airport closed prior to 1952.)

     Firefighters battled the blaze for three hours to prevent the flames from spreading to other hangars and a nearby farmhouse and barn on Emerson Street. 

     The 40 by 60 foot hangar had been in use during the previous few months as a repair shop for a Texas gas company laying natural gas pipeline in Massachusetts.   The shop was in operation the night of the fire, with workers leaving at 6 p.m. after installing a new motor in a tractor.     

     The airport property was sold in 1951.        

     Sources:

     Woonsocket Call, “Fine Program Is Given Second day Of Fair”, September 17, 1928. 

     Woonsocket Call, “Mendon Airport Having Air Meet”, October 5, 1929.

     Woonsocket Call, “Plane at Mendon Ruined By Flames”, September 14, 1931 

     Woonsocket Call, “Progress In Air To Be Observed”, September 15, 1939.

     Woonsocket Call, “$100,000 Mendon Airport Fire Ruins Gas Pipeline Equipment”, January 17, 1952

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