Southern Texas Field Has Storied History

Houston's William H. Hobby Airport is getting ready to celebrate 80 years of service.

"We're very excited about the airport's 80th birthday and the things we have planned," airport manager and former pilot Mary Case told The Houston Chronicle.

Having formerly worked at the airport's Atlantic Aviation Services, Case knows how Houston feels about HOU. "People in Houston feel very connected to Hobby Airport," she said. "I heard stories all of the time from people about how their parents or grandparents flew out of the airport."

Kicking off the celebration is a children's art contest, a gala, and maybe even a movie.

The airport will be receiving some cosmetic surgery for its birthday as well. There are a number of renovation projects underway from five of the airport's major fixed operators. Five gate expansions are expected to be completed June 1 bringing all 25 operating gates to the central concourse, according to Case.

Originally the Houston Municipal Airport, Hobby was launched by the City of Houston in 1937 as the first public airport in the area. It had been a private airfield owned by the W.T. Carter Lumber Company and was served by two airlines, Braniff and Eastern, according to the airport's website.

Hobby served as the base of operations for native Houstonian Howard R. Hughes during his earlier aviation ambitions. He was responsible for several improvements to the airport including the first control tower which was erected in 1938.

The airport's name was then briefly changed to the Howard Hughes Airport in 1938 until it was discovered federal airport improvement funds would not be granted to an airport named after a living person.

1950 saw Houston's first international flight, a Pan American Airways flight to Mexico City. The name became Houston International Airport in 1954 to reflect its new international status.

The first turbojet aircraft landed at Houston International in 1957. In 1959 it became necessary to extend Runways 4/22 and 13/31 to 7,600 feet to prepare for the new jet age.

In 1967, Houston International Airport received yet another name, this time its current name in honor of the former Texas governor (1917-1920), lieutenant governor (1914-1917) and president and owner of the Houston Post.

Terminal Being Converted To Museum

The original terminal is currently being converted into an air museum, a project spearheaded by The Houston Aeronautical Heritage Society. The North Wing of the 1940 Air Terminal Museum opened to the public on January 9, 2004.

The first phase of the air museum is complete and included the initial restoration of the North Wing of the Houston Municipal Air Terminal. The Society has also nominated the Terminal building for the National Register of Historic Places as well as for state and local historic designation.

The North Wing of the museum houses the museum's gift shop and "rapidly growing collection" that includes a 1943 Lockheed Lodestar executive businessliner. It also currently serves as the museum's base of operations for fundraising efforts, according to the Society.

Phase II will restore the terminal's first floor balance and fully restore the remaining four floors. Plans are to move the 1949 Precision Aeromotive Hangar, intact, to the museum and restore it for use as an exhibit hangar. It will also house archives and serve as a special events venue. Phase II construction is expected to start this year.

Hobby houses 25 major tenants in 42 hangars. 255 aircraft call it home with 91 of those being jets. In 2006 alone it served more than eight million passengers.

FMI:  www.fly2houston.com/hobbyHome, www.1940airterminal.org/