Hadley Field facts for kids
Hadley Field was an important airport located in South Plainfield, New Jersey. It played a big role in the early days of air travel in the United States. Today, the land where the airport once stood has been turned into a shopping area.
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What Was Hadley Field?
Hadley Field was an airport in Middlesex County, New Jersey. It was a busy place for airplanes in the 1920s and beyond. The airport was known for its role in helping to start airmail services. This meant that letters and packages could be sent by plane across the country.
Early Air Mail Service
One of the most important jobs of Hadley Field was handling air mail. In the early days, sending mail by plane was a new and exciting idea. Hadley Field became a key stop for planes carrying mail. This helped connect different parts of the United States much faster than before. Pilots would land at Hadley Field to drop off and pick up mail. This made it a very important hub for the new airmail system.
A Special Defense Site
Later, Hadley Field also became home to a Nike Missile Battery. This was a special defense site known as NY-65. Nike missiles were used to protect important areas during the Cold War. They were designed to shoot down enemy aircraft if needed. So, Hadley Field was not just an airport; it also played a part in national defense.
What Happened to Hadley Field?
Over time, air travel changed and grew. Larger airports were built to handle more planes and passengers. Hadley Field eventually closed as an airport. The land was then redeveloped. Today, if you visit the area, you will find a strip mall instead of an airport. This shopping center is currently owned by National Realty & Development Corp. It's a good example of how land use can change over many years.
