Miller Field (Staten Island) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Miller Army Air Field Historic District
|
|
Playing field
|
|
 Location in New York City
Location in New York
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | New Dorp, Staten Island, New York, New York, United States |
|---|---|
| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1919 |
| Architect | U.S. Army |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000362 |
| Added to NRHP | April 11, 1980 |
Miller Field was a United States Army facility in the neighborhood of New Dorp, Staten Island, New York. It was founded in November 1919 and completed in 1921.
Contents
Etymology
It was named after Captain James Ely Miller (1883–1918), commanding officer of the 95th Aero Squadron in the Air Service of the AEF, who died in combat on March 9, 1918 over Rheims in World War I. He was the first United States aviator killed in action while serving with an American military aviation unit. Before World War I Miller had been vice president of the Columbia Trust Company of New York and manager of its Fifth Avenue office who trained at his own expense to earn his pilot's license and Reserve Military Aviator rating with the Governors Island Training Corps in 1916. He was also an organizer, along with Major Raynal Bolling, of the 1st Reserve Aero Squadron, the first unit of what would eventually become the Air Force Reserve Command.
History
When built in 1921, Miller Field was the only coastal defense air station in the eastern United States and was part of the network of fortifications around New York City. It was built on land formerly belonging to the Vanderbilt family. It had a grass runway (and was the last airport with a grass runway in New York City), ramps for seaplanes, and four hangars for planes. Miller Field was used for antiaircraft fire and training Coast Guard personnel. Miller Field closed as an airbase in 1969.
The Field was the site of the Elm Tree Beacon Light, a lighthouse from the 19th century through 1924 when it was abandoned. The light had replaced a landmark elm tree.
The Miller Army Air Field Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Current use
The field is in use as a local park, with baseball and soccer fields. It hosts the New York Philharmonic in the summer. The field is directly east of New Dorp High School.
Miller Field is a part of the Staten Island Unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area, which is managed by the National Park Service.
See also
In Spanish: Miller Field para niños
