Alum Rock Airport facts for kids

Alum Rock Airport was an early airport located in what is now part of San Jose, California. It was near the intersection of Alum Rock Avenue and Capitol Avenue. The airport was started in 1919 by Johnny Johnston. He was a Reserve Lieutenant who had just returned from World War I.

Many of the first aerial photos of the Santa Clara Valley were taken from flights at Alum Rock Airport. Back then, the valley was mostly farmland and open spaces.

What the Airport Was Like

A government guide from 1936, called the Airport Facility Directory, described Alum Rock Airport. It had one runway that was about 1,800 feet (549 meters) long.

There was also a hangar, which is like a garage for airplanes. The word "San Jose" was painted on its roof. This helped pilots flying overhead know where they were. The airport also had services to fix and fuel airplanes.

Why the Airport Closed

The exact reasons why Alum Rock Airport closed are not fully known. In 1928, there were some problems with neighbors. This led to the airport operations moving to a new spot.

Johnny Johnston, who started the airport, died in 1932. He was 34 years old and was flying an air mail plane when the accident happened. Even after these events, the airport was still listed at its Alum Rock location in the 1936 guide.

Reminders Today

Today, you can still find clues about the old airport in San Jose's Alum Rock area. A small street called Pala Avenue is located where the runway used to be.

There are also streets named Avenues A, B, and C. People believe these streets were named after the airport's taxiways. Taxiways are paths that planes use to move between the runway and hangars.

Modern Airports in the Area

Today, air travel for this part of California is handled by two other airports. Reid–Hillview Airport was built in 1937. San Jose International Airport started as San Jose Municipal Airport in 1945.