Jack Northrop built his first aircraft factory here in 1927. And, the first regularly-scheduled airline service between southern California and New York City was initiated on July 28, 1929 by Transcontinental Air Transport, with owner Charles A. Lindbergh piloting the first flight. Pioneering female aviator Laura Ingalls became the first woman to fly solo across the country when she landed at Glendale in 1930. Howard Hughes built his innovative and record-setting “H-1 Racer” in a plant next to the airport in 1935. And, during World War II, the site became a P-38 base where the 319th Fighter Wing trained.

After the war the airport returned to private use, but its runways were too short for jet aircraft. So, the airport closed in 1959. The Grand Central Air Terminal building, with its control tower, was designed by Henry L. Gogert, and it is currently owned by The Walt Disney Company.

Courtesy: The Glendale Public Library

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