Larson Brothers Airport facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Larson Brothers Airport
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![]() Hangar in 2010
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Location | County II Clayton, Winnebago County, Wisconsin |
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Area | 38 acres (15 ha) |
Built | 1922 |
Architect | Knute Johnson |
NRHP reference No. | 84003825 |
Added to NRHP | April 5, 1984 |
The Larson Brothers Airport was an important early airport in Winnebago County, Wisconsin. It was located near Larsen, Wisconsin, along what used to be Wisconsin Highway 150. This airport was the very first one in Winnebago County and one of the first in the entire state of Wisconsin, outside of Milwaukee. Today, it is recognized as a historic place and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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History of the Larson Brothers Airport
The Larson Brothers Airport was open for many years, from 1922 until 1990. It started just three years after Wisconsin's first airport opened in Milwaukee.
How the Airport Started
The airport began when four brothers – Clarence, Leonard, Newell, and Roy Larson – cleared a long, grassy landing strip. This strip was about 80 rods (which is about 1,320 feet or 402 meters) long, right behind their barn. They owned two Curtiss Canuck airplanes.
Early Flying Adventures
The brothers started traveling across the United States. They would perform daring flying shows at county fairs. This was called "barnstorming." They also offered flying lessons to people who wanted to learn. In 1924, they built a hangar, which is a large building for storing and working on airplanes.
Roy Larson even used his plane to help with politics. He flew around Wisconsin to support Bob La Follette's campaign when he ran for President in 1924.
Growing the Business
The new hangar was big enough to store and work on six airplanes. In 1926, the brothers started the Roy Larson Aircraft Company. This company focused on repairing airplanes. The next year, they formed a larger company called Wisconsin Airways. This company handled all their different aviation businesses.
Sadly, Roy Larson died in 1929. He was riding in an airplane that a student was flying.
A Top Airport in Wisconsin
By 1932, the Milwaukee Journal newspaper called the Larson Brothers Airport the "finest airport in the state." However, over time, airplanes became more powerful. They needed longer, paved runways instead of grass strips. This meant that grass airports like the Larson Brothers Airport started to become less common.
The airport had to close temporarily during World War II because of a federal rule. During the war, Leonard Larson helped train fighter pilots. By the late 1970s, the Larson Brothers Airport was the oldest airport still operating in Wisconsin.
Larson Brothers Airport: A Historic Site
The Larson Brothers Airport was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 5, 1984. This means it is recognized as an important historical location.
Historic Marker Unveiled
On September 29, 1985, a special historic marker was put up along Wisconsin Highway 150. This marker tells the story of the airport and its history.
Why It's Historic
The National Register of Historic Places uses the airport's design as a great example of early airport construction. The hangar, built in 1924 by Knute Johnson, is especially important. It shows how builders used methods from barn-building to create early airplane hangars. This design helps us understand how airports first began.