RAC79 Woodrum Field Dedication
Hostesses gather for a group photograph at the dedication of Woodrum Field. Front row, left to right: Jean Fishburn, Claudine Pendleton, Louise Frantz, Evelyn Correll, Dot Donahoe. Back row, left to right: Mae Williams, Marion Elliott, Jessie Mae Jones, Marjorie Moore, Onita Hylton, unidentified pilot, Martha Ann Woodrum (behind pilot).
unknown
Roanoke Public Libraries
13 October 1941
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Still Image
RAC79
RAC78 Woodrum Field Dedication
A crowd gathers for the dedication of Woodrum Field. The plane in the background is an American Airlines DC-3.
unknown
Roanoke Public Libraries
13 October 1941
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Still Image
RAC78
IRB 30 Administration Building
This is a one story building of cinder block construction with a metal roof on wood boards on metal truss, concrete floor, electric lighting, stove heat. Occupancy: Offices, waiting room and restaurant. Valuation: The sound value of this building is approximately $15K.
City of Roanoke
Roanoke Public Libraries
February 1949
Krissy Price
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
photograph
Still Image
IRB30
IRB 29 Quonset Hangars
Four Quonset hut buildings of similar construction. Buildings of all metal on concrete dwarf walls, asphalt floors, electric lighting; no heat. Buildings new and in good condition. Occupancy: airplane storage. Valuation: Each hangar is valued at $8K.
City of Roanoke
Roanoke Public Libraries
February 1949
Krissy Price
Please contact the Virginia Room at b540.853.2073 for permission to use.
photograph
Still Image
IRB29
IRB 28 Hangar 1
This is a one story building of cinder block construction, all metal roof, concrete floor, electric lighting and steam heat. Occupancy: airplane hangar, with woodworking, machine shop and spray. Valuation: The sound value of this building is approximately $24.5K.
City of Roanoke
Roanoke Public Libraries
February 1949
Krissy Price
Please contat the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
photograph
Still Image
IRB28
IRB 27 Hangar 2
This is a one story building of cinder block construction, all metal roof, concrete floor, electric lighting and steam heat. Occupancy: airplane hangar and supplies storage. Valuation: The sound value of this building is approximately $25.5K
City of Roanoke
Roanoke Public Libraries
February 1949
Krissy Price
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
photograph
Still Image
IRB27
IRB 26 Nose-In Hangar
This is a one-high story building with roof of gypsum plank on unprotected steel, cinder block walls, concrete floor. One side is open. Building of recent construction and in good repair. Occupancy: Nose-in hangar and office. Valuation: The sound value of this building is approximately $30K.
City of Roanoke
Roanoke Public Libraries
February 1949
Krissy Price
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073.
photograph
Still Image
IRB26
IRB 25 Hangars A&B
Two buildings of similar construction. Each building of cinder block walls with large frame doors, wood joisted roof covered with composition, concrete floor, electric lighting; stove heat. Buildings recently erected and in good repair.
City of Roanoke
Roanoke Public Libraries
February 1949
Krissy Price
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
photograph
Still Image
IRB25
IRB 23 Municipal Airport
A two story and basement and part one story and basement brick building, metal roof, wood floors except basement which is earth, plastered interior finish, electric lights and steam heat; fair condition. Occupancy: Office and apartments. Valuation: The sound value of this building is approximately $31K.
City of Roanoke
Roanoke Public Libraries
February 1949
Krissy Price
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
photograph
Still Image
IRB23
Davis2 62.1342 Airmail Service
Local officials celebrate the inauguration of airmail service to Roanoke.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
18 July 1934
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
negative
Still Image
Davis2-62.1342
Davis 62.16 Roanoke Municipal Airfield
Grading improvements being made to the runway at Roanoke Municipal Airfield.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1945
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
negative
Still Image
Davis62.16
Davis2 62.152 Roanoke Regional Airport
A view of the terminal at Woodrum Field, now Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1965
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
negative
Still Image
Davis2-62.152
Davis2 62.1521 Frantz, Boots
T.E. "Boots" Frantz with his plane.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1940
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
negative
Still Image
Davis2-62.1521
Davis 62.143 Reynolds, Frank
Frank Reynolds with his plane.
George C Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1935
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
negative
Still Image
Davis62.143
Davis 62.1401 Anchor Post Fence
Anchor Post Fence Company plane at Roanoke Municipal Airfield.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
unknown
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
negative
Still Image
Davis62.1401
Davis 62.133 AA Mail Plane
American Airlines airmail plane at Roanoke Municipal Airfield.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
18 July 1934
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
negative
Still Image
Davis62.133
Davis 62.1312 VPA Biplane
Volunteer Pilots Association Waco biplane at Roanoke Municipal Airfield.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1930
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
negative
Still Image
Davis62.1312
Davis 62.123 Biplane
An unidentified man poses next to a biplane at Roanoke Municipal Airfield.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
unknown
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
negative
Still Image
Davis62.123
Davis 62.121 Biplane
Clayton Lemon poses next to a biplane.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1928
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
negative
Still Image
Davis62.121
RAC76 Woodrum Aerial
A south-facing aerial view of Woodrum Field. In the upper left of this photo, Crossroads Mall can be seen under construction.
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1960
Courtesy of Marshall Harris; Stephen E. Fox
RAC76
RAC75 Woodrum Aerial
This west-facing photograph shows the configuration of runways. There is construction work at right, indicating the extension of runway 5/23. Still noticeable are the rural surroundings of Woodrum Field. Visible at the bottom is the internal road system for what is to become Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. At top, center, Northside High School can be seen.
Circa 1960
Courtesy of Marshall Harris; Stephen E. Fox
RAC75
RAC74 Woodrum Aerial
This aerial photograph shows the separation of private aviation (left) and commercial aviation at the front of the terminal. Note the layout of the new parking lot behind the terminal. More passengers began leaving their cars at the airport for extended periods.
Circa 1960
Courtesy of Marshall Harris; Stephen E. Fox
RAC74
RAC73 Control Tower
The first freestanding control tower at Woodrum Field, completed in 1943, is seen here. The tower was critical to the airport's operations. In 1943, due to the training of Army and Navy pilots at Woodrum Field, the total number of official operations (273,624) at the airport exceeds the totals for LaGuardia, Philadelphia and Washington National airports combined. The control tower would operate for about a decade. It was razed along with the Cannaday home in 1953 for a parking lot after the new terminal was built and dedicated.
Circa 1945
Courtesy of Marshall Harris
RAC73
RAC72 Woodrum Field
Roanoke Municipal Airport became Woodrum Field at a dedication ceremony on 13 October 1941. The new airport received a class 3-A rating and American Airlines reestablished passenger service, which had been abandoned in 1937.
13 October 1941
Courtesy of Marshall Harris
RAC72
RAC71 Marine Corps
Aircraft from the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point , North Carolina are lined up at Woodrum Field during the hurricane evacuation in September 1945.
1 September 1945
Courtesy of Marshall Harris
RAC71
RAC70 Piedmont Airlines
This unusual photograph illustrates the increased traffic of Piedmont Airlines in and out of Roanoke and the transition from propeller aircraft to jets. The prop aircraft landing is a Martin 4-0-4; the aircraft at lower left is a Nihon YS-11; and the jet (upper right) is a Boeing 737. Almost lost in the shuffle is a twin-tail Cessna Skymaster, visible beyond the nose of the Martin 4-0-4.
1 January 1970
Courtesy of Marshall Harris
RAC70
RAC69 RRA Terminal
Postcard depicting the current terminal at Roanoke-Blackburg Regional Airport. The terminal opened on 13 September 1989.
Circa 1990
Courtesy of Marshall Harris
RAC69
RAC68 Woodrum Field
Postcard depicting Woodrum Field.
unknown
Courtesy of Marshall Harris
RAC68
RAC54 Landmark Aviation
This building houses the fixed-base operation (FBO) of Landmark Aviation at the Roanoke Regional Airport. FBOs have evolved from very simple operations to full-service onces that provide fuel, maintenance, pilot support services and more. The Roanoke airport has a long history of FBOs, beginning with Clayton Lemon's operation in 1930.
2013
Courtesy of Mike Ewen
RAC54
RAC53 Virginia Airmotive
This is an advertisement for Virginia Airmotive Service and Supply, a business owned and operated by W. Clayton Lemon at Woodrum Field. The aircraft are identified as a Beechcraft (left) and a Stinson (right).
Circa 1950
Courtesy of Donna Jean Sweeney Anger
RAC53
RAC52 Terminal Snow
The airport engages in regular winter activity for Southwestern Virginia, snow removal. In the early days of the airport, snow would cause major delays in operations, measured in days, not hours. In later years, airports, including Woodrum Field, acquired specialized snow removal equipment to deal with the potential probelm.
4 March 1960
Courtesy of Marshall Harris
RAC52
RAC50 Woodrum Flying Service
An advertisement for Woodrum Flying Service, which offered flying lessons, charters, and rentals.
Circa 1950
RAC50
RAC49 USAF C97
This photograph shows a US Air Force Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter parked on the ramp at Woodrum Field. Only sixty of these planes were built. The Roanoke airport has been and remains important to the military subce World War II, either for training, refueling, or as a hurricane evacuation site for coastal bases, not to mention its proximity to Washington, DC.
1 February 1967
Courtesy of Marshall Harris
RAC49
RAC48 American Airlines
American Airlines restored air service, notably passenger and airmail, to Woodrum Field in the 1940s. This photograph appears to have been taken at Woodrum during World War II. The statement painted on the rudder of this DC-3 reads, "Buy War Bonds".
Circa 1942
Courtesy of Marshall Harris
RAC48
RAC47 Wind Indicator
This is a close-up view of the tetrahedron wind-direction indicator installed at Woodrum Field. The device allowed pilots to visually determine the wind direction prior to landing in order to choose the best runway. The device became obsolete as aircraft avionics provided more information to pilots in the cockpit.
Circa 1945
Courtesy of Marshall Harris
RAC47
RAC46 Woodrum Field
Woodrum Field buried under snow.
Unknown
RAC46
RAC45 Jeep Crash Truck
Seen here is a Jeep Forward Control crash truck that was added to the emergency fleet at Woodrum Field.
1958
RAC45
RAC44 Landmark Aviation
This photograph shows a privately owned, fully restored DC-3 being refueled by Landmark Aviation at Roanoke Regional Airport. The appearance of such a vintage aircraft in restored, flying condition has become increasingly rare with limited air shows now available to the public.
21 October 2013
Courtesy of John Wilson
RAC44
RAC43 Playboy
This DC-9 was purchased by Hugh Heffner in 1970 as the Playboy airplane, known as Hare Force One.
1973
RAC43
RAC42 Eastern DC3
An Eastern Airlines DC-3, part of the "Great Silver Fleet" takes off from Woodrum Field.
1948
RAC42
RAC41 Fire Trucks
These huge vehicles represent the evolution of fire-fighting and emergency service equipment needed by airports as the number of flights increased and the size of the aircraft became larger. Both trucks are shown at Roanoke Regional Airport. They are capable of dispensing foam and have other specialized capabilities to deal with accidents. This is certainly a vast improvement over the modified Cadillac used by the airport some decades ago.
2013
Courtesy of Mike Ewen
RAC41
RAC40 Entrance Sign
The main entrance sign for the Roanoke Regional Airport off of Aviation Drive. The innovative sign, designed by URS of Baltimore, Maryland, incorporates the mountains, the Mill Mountain Star and a very unique 'R' to the left, the center of which is created by an airplane flying flying left to right, making the 'R' on the right.
2013
Courtesy of Mike Ewen
RAC40
RAC37 Civil Air Patrol
A Cessna 172, one of 500 Cessna aircraft owned by the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is seen here. These aircraft are rotated periodically among active stations, including Roanoke Regional Airport. The CAP was established in 1941 to serve as a civilian resource during World War II, including anti-submarine surveillance along the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico. Wes Hillman was a charter member of CAP; Roanoke's chapter dates back to 1942. In 1947, the CAP became an auxiliary of the US Air Force and remains so today. Its purpose is civil air defense, aviation education and flight training. Since 2001, it has taken on duties associated with the Department of Homeland Security.
2013
Courtesy of Mike Ewen
RAC37
RAC36 2013 Aerial
An aerial view of Roanoke Regional Airport.
2013
City of Roanoke
RAC36
RAC35 1967 Aerial
An aerial view of Woodrum Field. I-581 opened in 1965 and can been seen at left of the airport.
1967
City of Roanoke
RAC35
RAC34 1953 Aerial
An aerial view of Woodrum Field.
1953
City of Roanoke
RAC34
RAC33 1947 Aerial
An aerial view of Woodrum Field.
1947
City of Roanoke
RAC33
RAC28 1937 Aerial
Aerial view of Roanoke Municipal Airfield.
1937
unknown
RAC28
RAC26 Cannaday, Charles
This photo is of Charles "Chuck" Cannaday, grandson of Dr. A.A. Cannaday who once owned the land where the Roanoke Regional Airport is located today. He is pictured in his Pitts special "Cloud Dancer". This airplane was the star of the movie by the same name. Cannaday lived at Waverly, the Cannaday homeplace as a boy.
unknown
Courtesy of Chuck Cannaday.
RAC26
RAC25 Rotorway Executive
Warren and Hassie Gilbert are pictured beside their Rotorway Executive helicopter that was assembled by Warren Gilbert at their home. The aircraft was registered with the Federal Aviation Administration around the time this photo was taken.
1 December 1988
Courtesy of Jane Gilbert Milliron
RAC25
RAC23 Military Aircraft
Unknown military aircraft.
unknown
unknown
RAC23
RAC22 Stearman
A 1942 Stearman bi-plane is parked on the south ramp at Roanoke Regional Airport. The tower stands in the background. Restoration of these vintage planes has allowed new generations to relive aviation history. Such planes used to be seen regularly at airport appreciation days, but security concerns have eliminated such events locally and around the nation.
1 October 2012
Courtesy of John Wilson
RAC22
RAC21 Air Force One
Roanoke Regional Airport was host to this Boeing 757, and on that date the aircraft was designated as "Air Force One" because President Barack Obama was on board. Air Force One pilots have often used Roanoke Regional Airport as a site for "touch and go" exercises due to the airport's proximity to the nation's capital.
13 July 2012
Courtesy of John Wilson
RAC21
RAC20 C-17 Globemaster
With Tinker Mountain as a backdrop, a C-17 Globemaster sits on the north ramp at Roanoke Regional Airport. This aircraft, one of the US Air Force's largest transport planes, has significant operational flexibility.
1 September 2011
Courtesy of John Wilson
RAC20
RAC19 Private Aircraft
Unknown private aircraft
unknown
unknown
RAC19
RAC18 Woodrum Field
The main facilities at Woodrum Field are seen here as they existed during much of the 1940s. From left to right are Clayton Lemon's hangar, the hangar leased to Martin O'Brien Flying Service (which trained naval cadets until 1944), the terminal building (with the windsock), the control tower and the former Cannaday house.
Circa 1945
Courtesy of Jane Gilbert Milliron
RAC18
RAC16 Terminal Construction
Starting in the fall of 1950, construction began on the first modern terminal facility at Woodrum Field. It was designed to house commercial air service, administrative functions and government services such as weather and air-traffic control. These two structures, the former Cannaday home and the tower, would be razed upon completion of the new facility.
Circa 1950
Courtesy of Marshall Harris
RAC16
RAC15 Roanoke Municipal Airport
An aerial view of Roanoke Municipal Airport.
Circa 1940
Courtesy of Wes Hillman
RAC15
RAC14 Woodrum Field
This photograph was taken three days before the dedication and renaming of Roanoke Municipal Airport to Woodrum Field. The airport is receiving a final inspection, having just undergone a $400,000 multifaceted construction project as a WPA Certified National Defense Project. Shown here, from left to right are: A.M. Mayre, WPA district director and construction supervisor; W.P. Hunter, Roanoke City Manager; John L. Wentworth, City of Roanoke Engineer; and R.J. Dunahoe, airport manager.
10 October 1941
Courtesy of E. Duane Howard.
RAC14
RAC13 Hillman, Wes
Wes Hillman sits in his Waco "F" in front of the terminal at Woodrum Field. At left is a Pan American DC-4 (most likely a charter, as Pan Am did not serve Roanoke). A Piedmont Airlines DC-3 can be seen in the distance at right.
1961
Courtesy of E. Duane Howard
RAC13
RAC12 Piedmont Airlines
January 1967 saw the introduction of the Boeing 727 by Piedmont Airlines to its routes. The first 727 to visit Woodrum Field is seen here. Just a few months earlier, in November 1966, Piedmont Airlines had opened routes through Roanoke to New York. Piedmont began providing passenger service to Roanoke in 1948.
1967
Courtesy of E. Duane Howard.
RAC12
RAC11 Woodrum Field
The progress made at Woodrum Field is seen here in 1971. Among the facilities shown are the terminal dedicated in 1953, the nose-in hangar (left of center, top), general aviation hangars and the service hangar for Piedmont Airlines (upper right). Also illustrated here is the parking needed to support the growth of commercial aviation. An Eastern Airlines DC-9 waits on the ramp.
1971
Courtesy of E. Duane Howard.
RAC11
RAC10 Airport Terminal
Customers at Woodrum Field pose in front of the soon-to-be-demolished terminal building. Shown here, from left are Mike Davis, June Carr, Parker Smith (behind the scope), Lou Urquhart, and Jo Hambrick. Note the American Airlines and Piedmont logos on the terminal.
1952
Courtesy of E. Duane Howard.
RAC10
RAC9 Airport Dedication
Many types of military aircraft were present in Roanoke at the dedication of the airport. Among them were the Douglas B-23 Dragon (left) and the Douglas B-18 (right).
13 October 1941
Courtesy of E. Duane Howard
RAC9
RAC7 Lemon, Clayton
This image shows Clayton Lemon standing in front of the hangar that housed his company, Virginia Airmotive, at the time. Lemon was one of the first pilots in Roanoke to fully understand the "business" of aviation and had a long career at Woodrum Field serving the needs of general aviation.
1951
Courtesy of E. Duane Howard.
RAC7
RAC4 Woodrum, Martha
Martha Anne Woodrum displays her trophy for winning a trancontinental air race in 1950. She and her Beechcraft Bonanza were sponsered by Johnson-Carper Furniture of Roanoke.
1950
Courtesy of Wes Hillman
RAC4
RAC1 Mason, George H.
An early Roanoke aviator who used flight for commercial success was George H. Mason, shown here in 1929 with his Waco. Mason sold textbooks throughout Virginia, the Carolinas, George and Florida. He would circle a town, drawing attention, and then land near schoolyards to take book orders, often addressing the awestruck students. In an advertisement for Waco aircraft, Mason was profiled and the company boasted, "The value of a Waco as an Aid to Mr. Mason's sales is reflected in his record. He consistently leads the entire sales force of his company. He profits by prestige gained through use of his Waco...by his ability to cover more territory, more frequently and in less time.
1929
Courtesy of Henry Mason
RAC1
Davis 62.18 Roanoke Municipal Airfield
Plane at Roanoke Municipal Airfield.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1935
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Photograph
Still Image
Davis62.18
Davis 62.17 Roanoke Municipal Airfield
Mayor Sidney F. Small (left) and pilot B.A. Carpenter at the inauguration of Roanoke's passenger air service by American Airlines.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
10 January 1936
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Photograph
Still Image
Davis62.17
Davis 62.1631 William Stribling
William Stribling (1904-1933) was a professional heavyweight boxer from Georgia. Seen here at Roanoke Municipal Airfield, Stribling was also an avid and accomplished aviator.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1928
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Photograph
Still Image
Davis62.1631
Davis 62.161 Baltimore Airways
An unidentified couple poses next to a Baltimore Airways plane in front of the Cannaday Farm. The Cannaday Farm would become Roanoke Municipal Airfield, then in 1941 Woodrum Field. It is the current location of Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1936
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Photograph
Still Image
Davis62.161
Davis 62.15 Roanoke Municipal Airfield
View of Roanoke Municipal Airfield.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1940
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Photograph
Still Image
Davis62.15
Davis 62.14 Roanoke Municipal Airfield
View of Roanoke Municipal Airfield.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1935
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Photograph
Still Image
Davis62.14
Davis 62.134 AA Mail Plane
American Airlines Airmail plane at Roanoke Municipal Airfield.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
18 July 1934
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Photograph
Still Image
Davis62.134
Davis 62.1 Modern Air Transport
Modern Air Transport plane parked at Woodrum Field. Modern Are Transport commenced commerical operations in 1946.
George C. Davis Photography
Roanoke Public Libraries
Circa 1946
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Photograph
Still Image
Davis62.1