Stapleton International Airport facts for kids
Stapleton International Airport was a very important airport for Denver, Colorado. It served as Denver's main airport for many years, from 1929 until 1995. During its time, Stapleton was a major center, or "hub," for several airlines. These included Continental Airlines, Frontier Airlines, People Express, TWA, United Airlines, and Western Airlines.
In 1995, a new and bigger airport, Denver International Airport, took its place. Stapleton Airport was then closed down. The land where the airport once stood has since been transformed into a new area with homes and shops.
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Stapleton Airport: Denver's Old Air Hub
Stapleton International Airport was a busy place for travelers and planes. It was named after Benjamin F. Stapleton, who was the mayor of Denver for a long time. The airport opened in 1929 and quickly became a key part of air travel in the western United States.
A Busy Airport's History
For over 60 years, Stapleton Airport grew and changed. It started with just a few runways and buildings. Over time, more runways were added, and bigger terminals were built to handle more passengers. Many different types of airplanes, from small propeller planes to large jetliners, used Stapleton's runways. It was a vital link for people flying to and from Denver.
Why a New Airport Was Needed
By the 1980s, Stapleton Airport faced several challenges. It was becoming too small for the growing number of flights and passengers. The airport was also surrounded by the city, which made it hard to expand. Its runways were close together, which could cause delays, especially in bad weather. Denver also often had snowstorms, and the airport's location sometimes made it difficult to clear snow quickly. These issues led leaders to decide that a brand new, larger airport was needed outside the city.
What Happened to Stapleton?
After Denver International Airport opened in 1995, Stapleton Airport closed its doors. The old airport buildings and runways were removed. The large area of land was then redeveloped into a modern neighborhood. This new community is also called Stapleton. It has homes, schools, parks, and shopping areas. It's a great example of how a big piece of land can be reused for new purposes.
Images for kids
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Looking west, January 1966. Only concourses A, B, and C existed then. A United Airlines Pilot Training Center was later built on the vacant land between the airport's west boundary and the housing tracts.
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Looking north, January 1966. Runway 35 became 35L, after 35R was built. The old United Airlines pilot training center buildings, on the airport proper, were still in operation. A UAL DC-8 pilot training flight has just made a missed approach, complete with its shadow.
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Two Convair 580s of the Denver-based Aspen Airways at Stapleton in 1986
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USGS photo of Stapleton International Airport looking north, June 1993, shortly before its closure. Runway 17R/35L crosses Interstate 70 at its midpoint.
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UAL Douglas DC-6 N37514 on the northwest maintenance ramp of Stapleton, September 1966
See also
In Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional Stapleton para niños
