The following article was written some years ago but we thought it was a fitting description of the airport's early years...

BLATCHFORD FIELD…INDUSTRIAL AIRPORT… MUNICIPAL AIRPORT...EDMONTON CITY CENTER AIRPORT

HANGMANN FARM……AIR HARBOUR

Kingsway Avenue…Princess (east)…127 Street (west)

This airport was originally the hangman farm.  Then it was called Jimmy Bell’s Air Harbour, Blatchford Field, Industrial Airport and Municipal Airport.

During the second World War it was also known as #2 A.O.S. (Air Observer School) North West Staging Route, which included Fort St. John, Fort Nelson, Dawson Creek Teslin, Smith River, Atlin, Watson Lake, Whitehorse and Laird River.  The station was renamed R.C.A.F. Station, and finally Western Air Command.  It reaps with history and we all reap from it’s background.

In 1926 there was $400.00 granted for a runway, which only meant the cutting of weeds and packing down the soil, but Ottawa designated it an official “Air Harbour” that year.

In 1927 – The Northern Alberta Aero Club (Now known as the Edmonton Flying Club) set up to train pilots, and the first class of trained pilots graduated in Edmonton.

The Mayor of Edmonton from 1924 to 1926 was K.A. Blatchford

In 1928 – Wop May, Cy Becker and Vic Horner set up Commercial Airways Ltd.  And it was that year too (1928) the first airmail schedule was started by western Canada Airways.

In 1929 – Punch Dickens completed first air trip to Aklavik and City Council authorized the expenditure of $35,000.00 for the airfield.

1930 – Jimmy Bell was appointed Master of Blatchford Air Harbour.

1937 – Grant McConachie incorporated the Yukon Southern Transport and the Federal Government financed proper runways.

1939 – Blatchford Field transferred to Dominion jurisdiction.  For those of you too young, Dominion means Dominion of Canada of the Federal Government.

1940 – The U.S. Airlift began to Alaska.

In 1941 – C.P.A. took over the operation of #2 A.O.S. with Wop May heading it up, and by 1941 the station had turned out 130,000 pilots, navigators and bombers and almost every graduation squadron had a Graduation Party.  This continued until 1944.

In 1942 – On March 9, the American Army began the construction of the Alaska Highway and in one day 500 planes passed through Blatchford Field.  There were ten thousand Army Troops and six thousand civilians and the 1,523 mile highway was completed in just eight months and 13 days.  Although it is said to have begun at Dawson Creek, B.C., there was much of the operation that began from this airport.

In 1943 – The North American record was set when 860 planes passed through what, by that time was #2 A.O.S. on Kingsway Avenue in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.  Canadians never “toot their own horns” but they should at times.

It was during the 1940 era and perhaps up to the 1960’s that cement tarmacs were installed, including all the lights.  During that time it was possible to run across to the “American Canteen” to buy boxes of chocolates for .50 cents, packages of cigarettes and large chocolate bars for a nickel.

All the colored lights caused utter confusion and excitement.  One night an ambulance driver went out on the tarmac to pick up a patient from the north.  Returning to the hospital in bewilderment he remarked, “There were green lights and red lights and amber lights.”  There still are.

From 1940 to 1944 – Absolutely marvelous days, full of excitement, hard work and study, accomplishments, understanding, consideration of each and everyone, fun and laughter and a certain amount of true love.  There were sad times, too.  Although we had been instructed from the beginning of those glorious days not to become attached to anyone – that is impossible, and there were many broken hearts and sad moments.  Like the time the little Oriental pilot, known so well on this station, flew into the dark of night to rescue his parents from the unknown, never to be seen again, or the overwhelming grief if a parachute did not open, which seldom happened, but there was much grief for a few days in the parachute section wondering if, and who made the error.

1945 to 1946 – When Western Air Command took over, it was the closing of an Air force Station, and an Airport that has accomplished so much and had been the basis of many foundations of a young person’s career and life – not only in a line of work, but in developing strong characteristics and worthwhile experiences.  They were some of the best days of our lives which held many dreams and plans for the future, and will always hold many pleasant memories.

The past will never be forgotten.  We wish the very best in life to the new pilots, instructors and staff who keep this airport in operation.  May it continue to wave it’s flag for many generations.

                                                Written and presented by Lois Argue, July 1989

First RCAF (WD) stationed here from 1942-1945