Thomas-Morse Aeroplane Hangar/ Ithaca Municipal Airport/ Hangar Theatre
Details
- Name
- Thomas-Morse Aeroplane Hangar/ Ithaca Municipal Airport/ Hangar Theatre
- Address
- 801 Taughannock Blvd Ithaca
- Year Built
- Unknown
- Building Type
- Commercial
- Construction
- not specified
Description
The Thomas-Morse Aeroplane Hangar, later the Ithaca Municipal Airport and now the Hangar Theatre, was originally constructed around 1915 as a facility for the Thomas Brothers Aeroplane Company. It later became a key site for municipal aviation, supporting commercial flights and air mail routes. The airport was expanded with New Deal funding in the 1930s and remained in use until its closure in the mid-20th century. The site was eventually repurposed as the Hangar Theatre.
Media (Photos, Videos, Audio Recordings)
Tax assessment photograph taken in 1954 for the purposes of government appraisal by Roy Wenzlick & Co. 1954
Tax assessment photograph taken in 1954 for the purposes of government appraisal by Roy Wenzlick & Co. 1954
Ithaca Municipal Airport 1961
Early Advertisement for Ithaca Airways Corp. July 6, 1928
Early Advertisement for Ithaca Airways Corp. 1929
Add Source/NarrativeSources & Narratives
"The Board of Public Works last night map preliminary arrangements for leasing a portion of the lake front at the southeastern corner to the Thomas Brothers Aeroplane Company, thus affording them an opportunity to launch their hydroaeroplanes. The leasing of this land will mean the establishment o an aero station and the erection of a large hangar.
On the north side of the hangar the Thomas company plans to provide quarters for its hydroaeroplanes so that they may easily be taken to the water in readines[sp] for a flight. On the south side the land tractors will be housed. To the southward stretches a long tract of land over which the tractors and aerplanes[sp] may commence their flight.
This big space of formerly waste land, which stretches away northward from the former city limits, constitutes what has become known as the Industrial Tract, a portion of land to be devoted to industries in the event the Industrial Commission is successful in its efforts to develop Ithaca commercially. The city limits were extended to include this land several years ago. The lake front land, about 300 feet in length, will be leased to the Thomas Company probably for about $50 a year...."
On the north side of the hangar the Thomas company plans to provide quarters for its hydroaeroplanes so that they may easily be taken to the water in readines[sp] for a flight. On the south side the land tractors will be housed. To the southward stretches a long tract of land over which the tractors and aerplanes[sp] may commence their flight.
This big space of formerly waste land, which stretches away northward from the former city limits, constitutes what has become known as the Industrial Tract, a portion of land to be devoted to industries in the event the Industrial Commission is successful in its efforts to develop Ithaca commercially. The city limits were extended to include this land several years ago. The lake front land, about 300 feet in length, will be leased to the Thomas Company probably for about $50 a year...."
"To Lease Part of Industrial Tract To Aero Company," Ithaca Journal, May 27, 1915, 7.
May 27, 1915
"The construction of a hangar for the Thomas Brothers' Aeroplane Company on the shore of the lake on the industrial track is now well under way. The hangar itself will be a steel and frame building, 50 by 50, containing room for several machines.
A big door opens on the side facing the lake, from which the company's hydroaeroplanes may be taken out onto the water, while another large door opens on the south side of the building upon a big runway running from the hangar, three-quarters of a mile back. This runway has been plowed, graded and rolled. It is 200 feet wide. The airplanes may be moved out of the back door to this runway and ascend from there. Thus both branches of the Thomas service are to be accommodated by this hangar."
A big door opens on the side facing the lake, from which the company's hydroaeroplanes may be taken out onto the water, while another large door opens on the south side of the building upon a big runway running from the hangar, three-quarters of a mile back. This runway has been plowed, graded and rolled. It is 200 feet wide. The airplanes may be moved out of the back door to this runway and ascend from there. Thus both branches of the Thomas service are to be accommodated by this hangar."
“Thomas Hangar Well Underway,” Ithaca Journal, June 18, 1915, 3.
June 18, 1915
"Ithaca as an established port on a national airway is envisioned as the outcome of a visit here by two government inspectors. Their assurance that the Thomas-Morse landing field, available as a municipal field for that purpose, will receive a high rating nationally indicates that the government may take a more definite interest in the local field in the near future.
Walter F. Parkin and W. R. Jones, inspectors for the aeronautical division of the United States Department of Commerce, have been here in Ithaca for the last three days. Their primary purpose was to license planes at the Thomas-Morse Aircraft Corporation, as well as the company's pilots and mechanics, but secondarily they came to inspect and make a report to the aeronautical division on their flying field. ...
Mr. Parkin and Mr. Davis, both pilots of long experience, declared the Ithaca landing field among the best in this section of the country and assured the committee that it would receive a high rating in the classification of fields which the Department of Commerce is preparing. The rating will be given on their recommendation.
The Department of Commerce is pushing a special effort to develop landing fields throughout the country, to lay out airways, and in general to promote civil and commercial aviation. One of their first activities in this direction is the classification of all existing fields as regards size, equipment, and possibilities of service.
The inspectors, after visiting the Thomas-Morse hangars and field at the head of Cayuga Lake, were enthusiastic at the prospect, and asserted that, with minor improvements, the field can be given a high class rating. The Thomas-Morse Corporation has proffered its field for municipal use, in conjunction with its own use of it for test purposes, by lease at nominal rental, and has also offered to make its mechanical and service facilities available to visiting aviators."
Walter F. Parkin and W. R. Jones, inspectors for the aeronautical division of the United States Department of Commerce, have been here in Ithaca for the last three days. Their primary purpose was to license planes at the Thomas-Morse Aircraft Corporation, as well as the company's pilots and mechanics, but secondarily they came to inspect and make a report to the aeronautical division on their flying field. ...
Mr. Parkin and Mr. Davis, both pilots of long experience, declared the Ithaca landing field among the best in this section of the country and assured the committee that it would receive a high rating in the classification of fields which the Department of Commerce is preparing. The rating will be given on their recommendation.
The Department of Commerce is pushing a special effort to develop landing fields throughout the country, to lay out airways, and in general to promote civil and commercial aviation. One of their first activities in this direction is the classification of all existing fields as regards size, equipment, and possibilities of service.
The inspectors, after visiting the Thomas-Morse hangars and field at the head of Cayuga Lake, were enthusiastic at the prospect, and asserted that, with minor improvements, the field can be given a high class rating. The Thomas-Morse Corporation has proffered its field for municipal use, in conjunction with its own use of it for test purposes, by lease at nominal rental, and has also offered to make its mechanical and service facilities available to visiting aviators."
"Ithaca Air Port Project Assured After Visit by Government Officials," Ithaca Journal-News, March 31, 1927, 5.
March 31, 1927
"The hum of itinerant airplanes is sounding in the ears of the aviation committee of the Chamber of Commerce nowadays as the probability of Ithaca's becoming a government established airport draws nearer.
The committee is today in receipt of a complete file of bulletins from the aviation division of the United States Department of Commerce at Washington. It includes description of every aviation landing field in the country, and data which is considered valuable to the local committee in making improvements at the Thomas-Morse flying field preparatory to establishing it as a regular port on a national air route.
The immediate plans in this direction call for painting a marker on the top of the high gas storage tanks of the new plant of the New York State Gas & Electric Corporation at the foot of Cascadilla Creek."
The committee is today in receipt of a complete file of bulletins from the aviation division of the United States Department of Commerce at Washington. It includes description of every aviation landing field in the country, and data which is considered valuable to the local committee in making improvements at the Thomas-Morse flying field preparatory to establishing it as a regular port on a national air route.
The immediate plans in this direction call for painting a marker on the top of the high gas storage tanks of the new plant of the New York State Gas & Electric Corporation at the foot of Cascadilla Creek."
"Ithaca As Airport Receives Impetus; Committee Active," Ithaca Journal, April 14, 1927, 5.
April 14, 1927
“The Ithaca Airways Corporation has been formed by a group of Ithacans for flight training and passenger flights purposes. The directors of the new corporation are Minor Bennett, John Gifford, Lawrence Morey and H.M. Peters.
The corporation has obtained a new Waco 10, one of the latest type of airplanes, and the Ithaca Municipal Airport will be used….
Mr. Peters is a licensed mechanic and airplane rigger. He was trained in flying at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla., and he expects to apply for a pilot’s license from the Department of Commerce.”
“New Company Will Promote Airway Travel,” Ithaca Journal, April 17, 1928, 5.
April 7, 1928
"Ithaca's chance of being included in national air maps and of becoming a stop on air mail routes and a commercial center for aerial activities appeared bright today after the Common Council's action yesterday in approving a $65,963 CWA [Civil Works Administration - New Deal] project for the flying field....
A new hangar to be located on the west side of the field and constructed of cinder block is to be erected. It will be 100 feet in length and 80 feet wide. Two runways, 100 feet wide, will be constructed. They are to be of gravel base with a light asphalt top dressing. The north-south runway, 2,500 feet long, will be the main one while another 1,800 feet in length will bear off at a 40 degree angle from the main stretch.
In connection with the improvements the water department will extend its services on Cliff Street to the airport. A parking area will also be laid out and a tile drainage system constructed.."
A new hangar to be located on the west side of the field and constructed of cinder block is to be erected. It will be 100 feet in length and 80 feet wide. Two runways, 100 feet wide, will be constructed. They are to be of gravel base with a light asphalt top dressing. The north-south runway, 2,500 feet long, will be the main one while another 1,800 feet in length will bear off at a 40 degree angle from the main stretch.
In connection with the improvements the water department will extend its services on Cliff Street to the airport. A parking area will also be laid out and a tile drainage system constructed.."
"Big Airport Project Here Is Approved," December 20, 1933, 3.
December 20, 1933
"Three official[sic] of the New York State TERA [Temporary Emergency Relief Administration] will arrive here by airplane Saturday morning to make an official inspection of Ithaca's new municipal airport to participate in the two-day community celebration in connection with the field's dedication....
The new airport was constructed at a cost of $82,000 with funds appropriated by TERA."
The new airport was constructed at a cost of $82,000 with funds appropriated by TERA."
"TERA Group Will Inspect New Airport," Ithaca Journal, September 6, 1934, 3.
September 6, 1934
"Taking off shortly before 10 a.m. today in crisp, sunny weather over Ithaca Airport, 2 airplanes of Robinson Aviation Inc., headed southeast to inaugurate non-stop air service between Ithaca and New York....
The opening of passenger service brings to Ithaca an airline designed solely to meet the air transportation needs of this one community, Robinson said today.
...It is hoped, Robinson explained, that the New York run will be only one of a number of spokes radiating directly from Ithaca to other areas within the State of New York. A need for direct service from Ithaca to Albany is developing, [C. S.] Robinson said....
The service provided by Robinson Airlines also is quite different from the great long-distance high-speed operations employing the huge air transports of the future which have lately fired the imagination of the public, Robinson said. In contrast, Robinson Airlines has been developed exclusively to meet the equally great need existing for nonstop direct service over comparatively short distances to bring the advantages of air transportation closer to the everyday requirements of the average business man."
The opening of passenger service brings to Ithaca an airline designed solely to meet the air transportation needs of this one community, Robinson said today.
...It is hoped, Robinson explained, that the New York run will be only one of a number of spokes radiating directly from Ithaca to other areas within the State of New York. A need for direct service from Ithaca to Albany is developing, [C. S.] Robinson said....
The service provided by Robinson Airlines also is quite different from the great long-distance high-speed operations employing the huge air transports of the future which have lately fired the imagination of the public, Robinson said. In contrast, Robinson Airlines has been developed exclusively to meet the equally great need existing for nonstop direct service over comparatively short distances to bring the advantages of air transportation closer to the everyday requirements of the average business man."
"Airline Opens Inter-City Plane Service," Ithaca Journal, April 6, 1945, 3.
April 6, 1945
"Ithaca Festival was the only bidder Wednesday for use of the 72-acre former Municipal Airport site, and Common Council unanimously accepted it and authorized Mayor Johns to execute the lease agreement..."
"Festival Makes Bid, Gets Airport Lease," Ithaca Journal, May 6, 1965, 13.
May 6, 1965