Aviation through the years in Cape Girardeau

Nov. 26 1912: Tony Jannus arrives in Cape Girardeau in a hydroplane, entertaining the largest crowd ever gathered at the riverfront except when President Taft arrived in 1909.

Sept. 4, 1911: James C. "Bud" Mars, pioneer balloonist and aviator, makes his first airplane flight over Cape Girardeau during the old Cape Girardeau County Fair. (Mars died 25 July, 1944, at Los Angeles.)

Southeast Missourian archive In 1940 Clyde Primo, along with instructors Howard Hawkins and Primo's brother, Ralph, established Consolidated School of Aviation on the Barrett Cotner farm on Highway 74. In addition to training pilots, the school also provided some passenger service. In 1941 the school was sold to a group of local businessmen. During World War II, Consolidated trained reservists through the Civil Pilot Training program and the U.S. Navy Reserve's training program. The school remained at its Highway 74 location until May 16, 1947, when it moved to Harris Field, becoming the contract operator for the airport.

Southeast Missourian archive Harris Field, now Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, was dedicated in December, 1942. There were eight barracks, a headquarters building, a mess hall, PX and infirmary, as well as athletic facilities and an obstacle course to keep the cadets fit. Used as a primary training base, 2500 pilots learned to fly there. It was closed March 16, 1944.

Southeast Missourian archive A drawing of the proposed layout for Municipal Airport under the pending construction program is viewed here by the Municipal Airport Board. Seated, from left, are: Rush Limbaugh Jr., secretary; Maurice T. Dunklin, chairman; H.I. Himmelberger. Standing, from left, Mayor Walter H. Ford, ex officio member; Dr. Paul B. Nussbaum and Robert J. Earley. Present plans call for bids to be received in May and for construction of runways, taxi-strips and terminal building to begin about July 1. The city's bonds, $295,000 voted last summer, will not be sold until plans and bids are approved by the Civil Aeronautics Authority, which will match the local cost up to the amount of the bonds. (Southeast Missourian, Feb. 1, 1958)

Southeast Missourian archive Rush H. Limbaugh Jr., a Cape Girardeau aviation enthusiast, smiles as he reads a newspaper account of voter approval of the $115,000 airport bond on April 22, 1947. With the favorable vote, the city was able to move toward formal acquisition of Harris Field, a World War II flight training base.

Southeast Missourian archive Ozark Air Lines began serving the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport in 1951 with southbound flights from St. Louis and northbound flights from Memphis.

Southeast Missourian archive Visitors in the waiting room at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport watch passengers disembark from an Ozark Air Lines flight in this undated file photo.

Southeast Missourian archive The first annual Past President's Award, given by the Breakfast Optimist Club, was presented Jan. 13, 1958 to John T. Seesing, left, and John E. Godwin, center, by J.J. Russell, immediate past president of the Breakfast Optimist Club of Cape Girardeau. The men were recognized for their efforts on behalf of aviation as an important phase of community development. They operate Cape Central Airways.

Southeast Missourian archive U.S. Senator Robert Dole brought his vice presidential campaign to Cape Girardeau on Oct. 18, 1976. He greeted people at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport before going to speak at Southeast Missouri State University.

Southeast Missourian archive Vice President Walter Mondale steps off Air Force Two at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport on Nov. 1, 1980 during a campaign stop, first shaking hands with U.S. Rep. Bill Burlison.

Southeast Missourian archive President Ronald Reagan arrives in Cape Girardeau aboard Air Force One on Sept. 14, 1988. Coming off the plane with the president at Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport are Congressman Bill Emerson of Cape Girardeau, front right; U.S. Senator John Danforth, rear left; and U.S. Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond, rear right.

Southeast Missourian archive Vice President George Bush speaks at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport on Sept. 30, 1982. He was accompanied by Missouri Gov. Christopher "Kit" Bond, left, and U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson, right.

Southeast Missourian archive Passengers board a Trans World Express plane on Feb. 12, 1989 at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport.

Southeast Missourian archive Henry Holliday, left, air traffic controller at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport, and Mark Hetherington, facility manager, stay busy on Dec. 18, 1989 in the airport tower. The city has taken over operation of the airport tower.