Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields:

Indiana: Western Indianapolis area

© 2002, © 2024 by Paul Freeman. Revised 11/3/24.

This site covers airfields in all 50 states: Click here for the site's main menu.

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Brownsburg Airport (revised 2/18/18) - Capital Airways Airport / Capitol Airways Airdrome / Aircraft Owners Airfield / Tarkington Airport (revised 7/27/19)

Clinton Airport (added 8/28/24) - Hoosier Airport (revised 7/27/19) - Indianapolis Motor Speedway Aerodrome / Indianapolis Motor Speedway Aviation Repair Depot (revised 11/3/24)

Shank Airport (revised 7/20/19) - Speedway Airport (revised 1/29/23) - Stout Field / Stout AAF (revised 1/29/23)

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Clinton Airport (1I7), Clinton, IN

39.71, -87.4 (West of Indianapolis, IN)

Clinton Airport, as depicted on a 1971 airport diagram.



This rural general aviation airport was evidently established at some point between 1962-71,

as it was not yet depicted on a 1962 aerial photo.



The depiction which has been located of Clinton Airport was a 1971 airport diagram.

It depicted a single 4,000' paved Runway 18/36, with a taxiway leading to 3 buildings on the east side.



The earliest photo of Clinton Airport which has been located was a 1975 aerial view.

It depicted a single north/south paved runway, on the east side of which was a single hangar, a few smaller buildings, and 10 light single-engine aircraft.



The earliest topo map depiction which has been located of Clinton Airport was the 1978 USGS topo map.

It depicted a single paved north/south runway, with a taxiway leading to 3 buildings on the east side.



Dave Tourtelot recalled, “Back in the early to mid-1980s I used to fly into Clinton Airport. At first in a Piper Senica, then later in a Cessna 402.

At that time, very little traffic in or out. There was a small line shack I could wait in with a TV that only got the Weather Channel.

The strip was somewhat narrow for a 402.”



The earliest photo which is available of Clinton Airport was a 1992 aerial view looking northwest.

It depicted a single asphalt Runway 18/36, on the east side of which was a single hangar, a few smaller buildings, and 5 light single-engine aircraft.



According to its FAA Airport/Facility Directory data, Clinton Airport consisted of a 120 acre property, having a single 3,750' asphalt Runway 18/36.

For the year of 2004, Clinton Airport conducted an average 16 takeoffs or landings per day, and it had 11 single-engine based aircraft.



A 2009 photo looking northwest showed a single-engine Cessna & a single-engine cropduster parked to the south of the Clinton Airport hangar.



The last photo which has been located showing aircraft at Clinton Airport was a 2013 aerial view looking northwest.

Although the airport remained intact, the number of aircraft had dwindled to only 3.



A 5/1/17 FAA NOTAM indicated that Clinton Airport was permanently closed (for reasons unknown).



A 2017 aerial view looking northwest showed Clinton Airport remained intact, but devoid of aircraft, and a yellow closed-runway “X” had been painted on each end of the runway.



A 2023 photo looking northwest showed the Clinton Airport runway & hangar remained intact, reused by several businesses.



As of 2024, street maps labeled the former Clinton Airport hangar as being used by D&B Self Storage.



Thanks to Dave Tourtelot for pointing out this airfield.

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Indianapolis Motor Speedway Aerodrome / Indianapolis Motor Speedway Aviation Repair Depot, Indianapolis, IN

39.8, -86.23 (Northwest of Downtown Indianapolis, IN)

A 6/14/10 photo of the National Aviation Meet held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (courtesy of Eric Lawrence).



Eric Lawrence reported, “The world-famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway was originally built in 1909

and the first event held there was a helium gas-filled balloon competition on 6/5/1909, which drew an estimated 40,000 people to the track.

Nine balloons lifted off with the winner, a balloon called Universal City, covering 382 miles in a little more than a day, landing in Alabama.

The track held the National Aviation Meet on 6/14/1910, featuring the Wright Brothers.

Walter Brookins set a world record by attaining a height of 4,938' in a Wright Brothers aircraft.”



The earliest depiction that has been located showing aircraft at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was a photo of the 6/14/1910 National Aviation Meet (courtesy of Eric Lawrence).

Eric Lawrence observed, “Visible in the photo is the original layout of the airfield portion on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Visible are 11 hangars individually numbered (Hangar #7 is hidden behind #8) inside what is Turn 1 of the oval track.

The large hangar in the background was built to store balloons for the 1909 balloon race & is on the inside of Turn 2 of the oval track.

Also visible in the background near the balloon hangar is a pedestrian & vehicle bridge allowing access to the inside of the oval track.”



A 1912 postcard colorized photo of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Aerodrome (courtesy of David Parker) was captioned "Overhead Auto Bridge & Aviation Field - Indianapolis Motor Speedway".

Eric Lawrence observed, “This photo from the outside of Turn 2 shows the vehicle & pedestrian bridge over Turn 2, the balloon hangar, and the aircraft hangar complex to the extreme left of the picture.”



Eric Lawrence reported, “On 5/30/1911 the track held the first Indianapolis 500, a race which would make it world famous.

It is likely that the track owners focus on one 500-mile car racing event a year at the track indicates that it held no other aviation events after 1910

and there is no record of aviation-related events taking place until the close of the facility to racing with the 3/23/1917 announcement that the 1917 Indy 500 was canceled.”



The last image showing the former numbered hangars inside Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Turn 1 was a circa 1910-17 photo (courtesy of Eric Lawrence).

Eric Lawrence observed, “They are labeled as private garages, likely for manufacturers conducting private tests & racing teams.”



Eric Lawrence reported, “There is no record after 1912 of the large balloon hangar inside Turn 2 after the 1912 postcard.”



Eric Lawrence reported, “The second phase of Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s use as an airfield began when the 810th Aero Squadron arrived on 2/4/1918 from Kelly Field, San Antonio, TX.

Soon arriving were the 809th, 811th, and 821st Aero Squadrons.

The Speedway Repair Depot would be the first repair depot in the United States established to repair & put back in service all manner of U.S Air Service aircraft.

The existence of the Allison Experimental Company at the south end of Main Street in Speedway, which made Liberty engines,

its central geographical location as a suburb of Indianapolis, and abundant amount of automobile & race car mechanics looking for work made the race track an ideal location for a repair depot.

Two new hangars were built on the east side of the back straight along with a small control tower structure.”



A circa 1918 photo of unidentified biplanes in front of Indianapolis Motor Speedway hangars (courtesy of Eric Lawrence).



A circa 1918 photo of a group in front of a JN-4 Jenny at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (courtesy of Eric Lawrence).



Eric Lawrence reported, “We must assume, since the large balloon hangar & smaller numbered hangars were never pictured being utilized for WWI despite the large numbers of WWI aviation squadron pictures available,

these hangars were torn down between 1912-18, likely for additional infield parking during the Indianapolis 500.

In the above pictures it is noted that in front of the hangars is the race track itself & a fence runs behind the hangars separating the Indianapolis Motor Speedway property from the farm to the east of the track, placing these on the back stretch of the oval track.

Amazingly though, the Speedway Repair Depot, where the aircraft were repaired, was not located on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway grounds, but along Main Street in Speedway, IN.

The aircraft were partially-disassembled with the wings being removed & the tail elevated & attached to a truck which towed the aircraft one mile from the inside of Turn 2 to the repair depot,

bounded by Main Street, 14th Street, Polco Street, and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad track.”



A 1918 photo of a JN-4 Jenny at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Aviation Repair Depot (courtesy of David Parker).



According to a historical marker at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, “U.S. entry in WWI spurred rapid aviation expansion in the country.

Due to city's strategic location to military airfields, railroads, and industry, U.S. Army opened an Aviation Repair Depot here in early 1918.

The 809th, 810th, 811th, and 821st Aero Squadrons repaired, modified, and tested training aircraft & engines.

The Speedway provided hangars & a flight test field. The Speedway area became an innovative aviation hub during WWI.

Work at the depot increased pilot safety & aircraft structural integrity.

Italian Pomilio Brothers Corporation developed aircraft here for the Liberty engine produced by Nordyke & Marmon with parts by Allison Experimental Company.

The depot repaired 313 planes & 350 engines in 1918.”



A 1918 photo of a JN-4 Jenny at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Aviation Repair Depot (courtesy of David Parker).





A 1918 photo of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Aviation Repair Depot aircraft engine repair shop (courtesy of David Parker).



A 1918 photo of Liberty aircraft engines inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Aviation Repair Depot engine repair shop (courtesy of David Parker).



A 1918 photo of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Aviation Repair Depot propeller repair shop (courtesy of David Parker).



A December 1918 photo of the 821st Aero Squadron at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Aviation Repair Depot (courtesy of David Parker).



The “Speedway Dope”, the repair depot's newspaper, reported in January 1919 that “313 airplanes were repaired at the depot during 1918, representing a total value of $1,195,550 & 350 airplane motors valued at $638,699.

In addition to these figures, the report noted repairs of wings, ailerons, elevators, rudders, and other miscellaneous parts valued at approximately $300,000. Added together, repairs at the depot well exceeded $2,000,000.”



Eric Lawrence reported, “When WWI ended on 11/11/1918, and the announcement was made that the Indianapolis 500 would resume in May 1919, the fate of the Speedway Repair Depot was sealed.

Abandonment of the repair depot on Main Street was ordered in September 1920.

The buildings of the repair depot were at first purchased by the Allison Engineering Company & used for James Allison's race teams & growing engineering firm.

The office building on Main Street & some of the large workshops remained.

The hangars, however, saw extensive use as a storage facility for the equipment needed to maintain the racetrack.”



A 1936 aerial photo of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway taken during the 1936 race (courtesy of Eric Lawrence) showed the 2 hangars at the midpoint of the backstretch on the east side of the racetrack.

Eric Lawrence observed, “You can even make out the fence behind them separating them from the newly-built golf course. They were used to store the large machinery needed to maintain the track surface.”



A 1946 aerial photo of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (courtesy of Eric Lawrence) showed the 2 remaining hangars.



Eric Lawrence reported, “By 1952 much of the [depot] facility had been bulldozed & used as parking lots. The land was still owned by Allison Engine Company.”



A 1974 aerial photo of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway taken fron a Goodyear Blimp (courtesy of Eric Lawrence) showed the 2 remaining hangars, with their hinged doors open on race day.



Eric Lawrence reported, “The hangars were finally torn down between 1992-98 when the Gold course layout was redesigned & replaced with a new building in the same location.

No trace of the hangars exist today.

The workshops were demolished by 2005 & the office building was demolished in 2010.

The site of the Speedway Repair Depot lies East of Main Street with the Dallara Racing Factory now occupying the northwest corner of the facility.

The train tracks to the south can still be identified & are now a walking/biking trail. No trace of the deport remains.”



Eric Lawrence reported, “Phase 3 of Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s use as an airfield brought us full circle to the beginning of the track’s existence with the Red Bull Air Race being held at the track from 2016-18.

Hulman Boulevard, the main north/south traffic street running through the middle of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which also forms a part of the backstretch of the road course, served as the runway for the competitors.

An adjacent parking lot served as a ramp area for the hangars.

I attended all three years. It was a great experience. I believe it was one of the very few races that began from a full-stop on the runway since most of their events took place at a stadium or overwater location not located at the airport they utilized.”



A photo of Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles with the “Hulman Runway” marker from a 10/6/17 Indystar article (courtesy of Eric Lawrence).



A 2016-18 photo of 2 Red Bull Air Race aircraft on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.



A 2018 aerial view looking northwest at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway showed no trace remaining of its aviation facilities.



A pre-2019 photo of the historical marker standing at the site of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Aviation Repair Depot.



Thanks to David Parker for pointing out this airfield.

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Capital Airways Airport / Capitol Airways Airdrome / Aircraft Owners Airfield / Tarkington Airport, Indianapolis, IN

39.818, -86.231 (Northwest of Downtown Indianapolis, IN)

An undated photo from a circa 1928 advertisement for Capitol Airways Inc, showing “Winter activities at Capitol Airways Airdrome” (courtesy of Tom Heitzman).



This small airport was located less than a mile north of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.



The date of establishment of Capitol Airways Airdrome has not been determined.

The earliest photo which has been located of this airfield was an undated photo from a circa 1928 advertisement for Capitol Airways Inc (courtesy of Tom Heitzman),

captioned “Winter activities at Capitol Airways Airdrome”.

It depicted a total of 13 monoplanes & biplanes in front of 2 hangars.



An undated photo from a circa 1928 advertisement for Capitol Airways Inc, showing “Instructing students on Wright Whirlwind engine” (courtesy of Tom Heitzman).



A circa 1928 advertisement for Capitol Airways Inc (courtesy of Tom Heitzman).



According to the book “The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis”, “The second airline to serve the city was Capitol Airways,

which on 10/22/28 began a passenger & express service from Capitol Airport.

By the spring of 1929 however all services were temporarily discontinued.”



The location of Capitol Airways Airport, as depicted on the 3/18/29 Commerce Department Airway Bulletin #585 (courtesy of Lee Corbin).



The last photo which has been located of Capitol Airport was an undated photo from the 3/18/33 Indianapolis Recorder (courtesy of Mark Hess)

showing a group of African Americans who toured Capitol Airport, standing in front of several aircraft & a hangar.



The earliest aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of Capitol Airways Airfield was on the November 1933 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.

It labeled the field as “Capital [sic] Airways”.



It was still depicted as Capitol Airways Airfield on the June 1934 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.



It was evidently renamed “Aircraft Owners” Airfield at some point between 1934-35, as that is how it was labeled on the April 1935 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.

It was depicted as an auxiliary airfield.



It was still depicted as Aircraft Owners Airfield on the November 1935 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.



Aircraft Owners Airfield was evidently abandoned at some point between 1935-36,

as it was no longer depicted on the March 1936 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.



No airfield was depicted at this location on the February 1937 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.



The last depiction which has been located of Capitol Field was on a 1938 street map (courtesy of Kevin Walsh).



This airfield was evidently reopened under the name of “Tarkington” at some point between 1937-38, as that is how it was labeled on the September 1938 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.

Tarkington was depicted as a commercial/municipal airfield.



It was still depicted as Tarkington Airport on the May 1939 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.



Tarkington Airport was evidently abandoned in 1939,

as it was no longer depicted on the September 1939 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.



A 2014 aerial view showed no trace remaining of Capitol Airways Airport.



The site of Capitol Airways Airport is located south of the intersection of Lafayette Road & West 38th Street.



Thanks to Tom Heitzman for pointing out this airfield.

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Brownsburg Airport, Brownsburg, IN

39.825, -86.394 (West of Indianapolis, IN)

Brownsburg Airport, as depicted on the June 1950 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.



Brownsburg Airport was apparently built at some point between 1945-50,

as it was not yet listed among active airfields in the 1945 AAF Airfield Directory (courtesy of Scott Murdock).

The earliest depiction of Brownsburg Airport which has been located was on the June 1950 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.

It depicted Brownsburg as having a 2,600' unpaved runway.


The earliest photo which has been located of Brownsburg Airfield was a 11/1/52 USGS aerial view.

It depicted Brownsburg as having a single north/south grass runway, with 3 light planes & a few small buildings on the southeast side.



The earliest topo map depiction of Brownsburg Airport which has been located was on the 1953 USGS topo map.

It depicted “Brownsburg Airfield” as a north/south rectangular outline with 1 small building in the southeast corner.



The 1959 USGS topo map depicted Brownsburg Airfield as having 2 unpaved runways, with 2 small buildings on the southeast side.



The September 1969 St Louis Sectional Chart depicted Brownsburg as having a 2,600' unpaved runway.



A 10/23/69 USGS aerial photo depicted Brownsburg Airport at perhaps the zenith of its popularity,

with a total of 24 single-engine aircraft visible on the field.



The December 1971 Sectional Chart (courtesy of Charles Germaine) depicted Brownsburg as having a 2,600' unpaved runway.



Phil Brooks observed, “I visited & had the privilege of meeting legendary operator 'Shorty' Graves. He was someone special.”



The last aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of Brownsburg Airport was on the 1984 St Louis Sectional Chart.

It depicted Brownsburg as having a 2,600' unpaved runway.



Charles Germaine recalled, “I made one landing & takeoff from Brownsburg during my time flying;

the FBO at Eagle Creek really didn’t like their rental planes going in & out of grass strips.

The runway was ruff & rutted.

I got my license in 1987 & it was still open but it closed soon after, sometime in the late 1980s.”



Brownsburg Airport was no longer depicted on the May 1995 St Louis Sectional Chart (courtesy of Stu Sibitzky).



A 1998 aerial photo showed the site was covered with houses, with no trace remaining of Brownsburg Airport.



An 8/29/12 aerial photo showed the site of Brownsburg Airport was covered with houses, with no trace remaining of the little airport.



A 7/13/14 aerial view by Phil Brooks looking south at the site of Brownsburg Airport.



The site of Brownsburg Airport is located north of the intersection of Devin Drive & Airport Road, appropriately enough.

Phil Brooks observed, “I live in Brownsburg, and people relatively new to the area assume that Airport Road refers to Speedway Airport, rather than Brownsburg!”



Thanks to Charles Germaine for pointing out this airfield.

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Hoosier Airport, Indianapolis, IN

39.8, -86.215 (Northwest of Downtown Indianapolis, IN)

An advertisement for Hoosier Airport from the 8/18/28 issue of Aviation Magazine (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).



This small airport was located less than a mile east of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.



Hoosier Airport was established in 1927 by Harold Brooks & Bob Shank (who would later establish nearby Shank Airport).

It was the first privately owned airfield in Marion County (according to the 7/18/76 issue of the Indianapolis Star).



According to a 2/6/48 Indianapolis News article (courtesy of Chuck Stuart),

Hoosier Airport was established by Bob Shank in 1928.



According to Mark DeVecchio, “I believe Richard Taylor & Captain Fowler owned the Hoosier Airport from possibly the mid/late-1920s until about 1940.”



The earliest photo which has been located of Hosier Airport was a circa 1928-30 aerial view looking east,

showing a hangar along the north side of a grass field, on which were visible 3 aircraft.



The location of Hosier Airport, as depicted on the 3/18/29 Commerce Department Airway Bulletin #585 (courtesy of Lee Corbin).



A circa 1929 photo of an unidentified biplane marked “Jess Gaugh – Pilot, Learn to fly $125, Hoosier Airport” (courtesy of Fred Kelso).



The Airport Directory Company's 1933 Airports Directory (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)

described Hoosier as a commercial airport consisting of a 3,000' x 1,320' rectangular sod field.

The field was said to have hangars, one of which had "Hoosier" painted on the roof.



The earliest aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of Hoosier Airport was on the November 1933 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.



A circa 1930s photo of pioneering young aviatrix Martha Belle Jacobson in front of a biplane marked “Hoosier Airport” (courtesy of David Parker).



A 1941 aerial view from the IN Historical Aerial Archive (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)

depicted an airplane taking off or landing (just left of the center of the photo) at Hoosier Airport,

as well as airplanes parked near the hangar at the north end.



A 2/6/44 photo of an unidentified pilot & a Fairchild in front of a Hoosier Airport hangar (courtesy of David Parker).

According to David Parker, “The airplane was owned by the Civil Aeronautics Administration, but was on loan to the Civil Air Patrol.”



A 2/6/44 photo of an unidentified pilot & a Waco biplane in front of a Hoosier Airport hangar (courtesy of David Parker).

According to David Parker, “The airplane was owned by Butler University.”



A 11/17/43 aerial view looking east from the 1945 AAF Airfield Directory (courtesy of Scott Murdock)

depicted Hoosier Airport as an irregularly-shaped grass area with a hangar along the north side.



It was still depicted as "Hoosier" Airport on the May 1944 Cincinnati Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).



The 1945 AAF Airfield Directory (courtesy of Scott Murdock) described Hoosier Airport

as an 81 acre rectangular property containing an all-way sod field measuring 2,640' north/south by 1,320' east/west.

The field was said to have a total of 7 hangars, the largest being a 124' x 86' cinder block structure.

Hoosier Airport was described as being owned & operated by private interests.



According to a 2/6/48 Indianapolis News article (courtesy of Chuck Stuart),

“The 82 acre field, oldest privately operated airport in Indianapolis, has been subleased by Charlie Stuart & John Ramp,

Indianapolis automobile dealers.

The Parks name will be dropped, so that the field will again be called Hoosier Airport.

The new occupants will take over February 15, and a part of their sizable automobile sales operations

will be transferred to the office & hangar which has served as an airport repair shop.

Both Mr. Ramp & Mr. Stuart are aviation enthusiasts.

Mr. Stuart & Mr. Ramp will maintain the hangar storage & gasoline & oil phases of the airport business.

Other airport activities, the flying school, sales agencies, and repair shop will be leased to private operators.”



Richard Slagle reported, “I have lived near the old Hoosier Airport most of my life.

In about 1948 I took great delight in the Hoosier Airport as it was used for the landing site for the Goodyear Blimp

which came for the Indy 500 race & it was easy to access as a kid.

in those days you could walk right up to it... the field wasn't busy & people would come & look at the blimp.”



A circa 1940s photo by B.L Weddle (courtesy of Chuck Stuart) looking at the Parks Hoosier hangar.



A circa 1940s photo by Robert Young (courtesy of Chuck Stuart) of a Hoosier Airport hangar.



A circa 1940s aerial view (courtesy of Chuck Stuart) depicted Hoosier Airport as having a hangar & a few smaller buildings along the north side.



The 1948 USGS topo map depicted Hoosier Airport as an open area with several buildings along the north side.



The field was evidently renamed "Hoosier Parks" at some point within the next 4 years,

as that is how it was depicted on the September 1948 Cincinnati Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).



Hoosier Airport was evidently closed (for reasons unknown) at some point between 1948-49,

as it was no longer depicted on the September 1949 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.



Dave Slosson recalled, “I grew up in this area, from 1954.

Hoosier was gone before I knew about it, becoming Eagledale shopping center & housing area.”



A 1956 aerial photo showed the airfield area of the site of the Hoosier Airport had been densely redeveloped with housing,

but several hangars appeared to remain intact along the northern part of the property.



A circa 2006 aerial view looking south at a building (west of the intersection of Lafayette & Groff)

which was the former Hoosier hangar, according to Richard Slagle.

Richard reported that the former hangar “later became Walt's Super market and a addition was added to the north of the building,

also gone is the large concave arched roof of the hangar,

the small metal sheds were there for many years after the airport closed, but everything is gone now.”



As seen in an 8/17/18 aerial view looking northwest by Phil Brooks, not a trace appears to remain of Hoosier Airport.



The site of Hoosier Airport is located west of the intersection of Lafayette Road & Kessler Boulevard.

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Shank Airport, Indianapolis, IN

39.83, -86.25 (Northwest of Downtown Indianapolis, IN)

Shank Airport as depicted on the April 1947 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.



No airfield was yet depicted at this location on a 1941 aerial photo.



Robert Shank was a pioneer air mail pilot & a flight instructor during both World Wars,

who was also one of the founders of nearby Hoosier Airport.

In 1944, he founded the Bob Shank Airport, less than 2 miles northwest of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.



Bob Shank Airport was described as "Now under construction" in an advertisement in the 1945 Haire Publishing Airport Directory (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).



Bob Shank Airport was not yet listed among active airfields in the 1945 AAF Airfield Directory (courtesy of Scott Murdock),

nor depicted on the October 1946 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.



Robert Shank was awarded the Haire Publishing Company Trophy for the most outstanding airport development in 1946.



The earliest depiction of Shank Airport which has been located was on the April 1947 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.



The September 1948 Cincinnati Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy) depicted Shank as having a 3,200' unpaved runway.



The 1948 USGS topo map depicted “Shanks Airport” as having 2 buildings on the northeast side of an open airfield area.



The earliest photo which has been located of Shank Airport was an 11/1/52 USGS aerial view.

It depicted Shank as having a large grass airfield area, with runways oriented north/south & east/west.

Six long narrow hangars were depicted on the northeast side of the airfield, and at least 10 single-engine aircraft were visible.



A 1956 aerial view (from the IN University Electronic Atlas of Central IN Historical Aerial Archive, courtesy of Chris Kennedy)

depicted Shank as having a large grass airfield area, with runways oriented north/south & east/west.

Six long narrow hangars were depicted on the northeast side of the airfield.



Robert Shank continued to operate the airport until his retirement in 1957.



Gordon Lamb recalled, “My first home field, Shank Airport, was the closest airport to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Every Memorial day, about 5,000 light (& bigger) aircraft would arrive for the Indianapolis 500.

I worked the entire day, parking, tie-downs, fueling, and fondling the aircraft.

There were several P-51s, never fewer than 3 Ford Trimotors, a few A-26s & B-25s converted to executive jobs, and other exotica too numerous to mention.”

Gordon added “a request for pictures taken on Memorial Day?”



The 1961 Cincinnati Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy) still depicted Shank as having a 3,200' unpaved runway.



Dave Slosson recalled, “Shank was fun to watch, and I remember Cubs landing on an east/west short sod strip parallel to 38th Street in the mid-1960s,

years before they added the northeast/southwest paved strip.

My dad was a WWII Navy pilot, so we paid attention to such things.”



John Teipen recalled of Bob Shank Airport, “Where I first took some flying lessons during the Summer of 1966.

My first lessons were in a J3 Cub ($12.50 per hour CFI included)

and at that time I remember 'Shank Field' as being a grass strip.

My logbook was kept at the airport & I have often wondered what became of that logbook.”



The runway at Shank was evidently paved at some point between 1966-68,

as the 1968 Cincinnati Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)

depicted Shank as having a single 3,200' paved runway, oriented northeast/southwest.



Phil Brooks recalled, “Shank is close to my heart because I took my first small plane ride there, I believe in the summer of 1968 (when I was 6 years old).

The pilot was my neighbor Harry Eakin. He flew a Navion.”



Randy Wade recalled, "I started flying at Shank Airport in 1970-71.

Ned Bottoms & Charlie Lamb were 2 old gentlemen that ran the airport at that time."



Bob Leyner recalled, “Shank Field... My mother took instruction in a Franklin engine powered Cub.

My first flight instruction was in the Cub under her ‘block time’ at Bottoms & Lamb in the Cub for $10/hour.

My brother & I both got our certificates. Bottoms & Lamb operated from a trailer.”



The May 1971 St. Louis Local Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Robert Brown)

still depicted Shank as having a 3,200' paved northeast/southwest runway.



The last aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of Shank Airport was on the December 1971 Sectional Chart (courtesy of Charles Germaine).

It depicted Shank as having a 3,200' northeast/southwest paved runway.



The last photo which has been located of Shank Airport was a 1972 aerial view (from http://maps.indy.gov/MapIndy, courtesy of Matthew Payne).

It depicted Shank as having a paved Runway 3/21, with one aircraft entering the runway, and another dozen parked around the hangars.



Phil Brooks recalled, “Around 1973 I recall a Ford Trimotor giving rides out of Shank. My mother expressly forbid my purchasing a ride, dang it!”



The 1974 USGS topo map still depicted Shank Airport, but that doesn't necessarily prove the field was still open at that point.



According to the City of Indianapolis web site, "Shank Airport at 38th & Moller Road survived until the 1970s - a victim to the building boom in Pike Township."



Phil Brooks recalled, “My first job was in summer, 1978, bussing tables at the Laughner's Cafeteria at the southeast corner of the field.

I don't recall it being open, or at least active, at that time.”



A 1978 aerial photo (from http://maps.indy.gov/MapIndy/, courtesy of Matthew Payne) showed that the end had come for Shank Airport,

with roads having been built across the northern, central, and southern portions of the runway.



Shank Airport was depicted as an abandoned airfield on the 1980 St. Louis Sectional Chart.



The 1984 USGS topo map still depicted the airfield layout of Shank Airport, even though it was already closed at that point.

It depicted 2 paved runways, oriented north/south & northeast/southwest.

Several long narrow hangars were depicted to the east of the runway. The field was labeled simply "Landing Strip".



The 1998 USGS aerial photo showed that the site of the Shank Airport had been thoroughly covered by redevelopment,

with large buildings & parking lots obliterating any trace of the former airport.

A new road, West Pike Plaza Road, had also been built through the center of the airport site.



A 2016 aerial view looking north showed no trace remained of Shank Airport.



The site of Shank Airport is located southwest of the intersection of West Pike Plaza Road & Lafayette Road.

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Speedway Airport (3SY), Indianapolis, IN

39.8, -86.36 (West of Downtown Indianapolis, IN)

Speedway Airport, as depicted on the December 1957 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.



Speedway Airport was apparently established at some point in 1957,

as it was not yet depicted on the 1953 USGS topo map or the June 1957 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.

The earliest depiction of Speedway Airport which has been located was on the December 1957 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.

It depicted Speedway Airport as having a 2,700' unpaved runway.



The earliest photo which has been located of Speedway Airport was a 1958 aerial view

from the IN University Electronic Atlas of Central IN Historical Aerial Archive (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).

It depicted Speedway Airport as having 2 grass runways, oriented east/west & northeast/southwest.

Two hangars were located on the north & west sides of the field,

and there was a total of 6 light aircraft visible on the field.



The 1959 USGS topo map depicted Speedway Airport as having 2 unpaved runways, with small buildings on the west & north sides.



The 1961 Cincinnati Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy) depicted Speedway Airport as having a 2,700' unpaved runway.



Joe Chadwick recalled, “Speedway Airport... I flew my 1941 Ercoupe from there in the early 1960s.

The main Runway was 9/27, grass; [Runway] 6-24 was shorter & narrow. We just called it 'The Diagonal'.

The field was operated by Bert Gerts & his 2 teenage sons. Bert worked elsewhere during the day.

The airport was wide open & on the honor system.

If you needed gas, 80/86 only, you pulled up to the pump, went inside,

turned it on, pumped it, turned it off and put money or IOU in the cigar box.

Tie-down was $12 a month.”



Charles Miles recalled, “Speedway Airport... I was a flight instructor & manager of the airport from April 1963 to September 1963.

The airport was recently owned by William McGinty & I flew with William & his son John many times in 1963.

We had a Piper PA-22 (N8894C), a Cessna 172A (N7497T), and in July 1963 I flew a 1946 J3 from Shank's Airport to Speedway.

I have many hours instructing in that J3 (N6200H) at Speedway Airport.

We had only the grass runway. When I first came to the airport the new lounge & office was built on the east side of the main hangar.”



Jon McVeyme recalled, “Speedway Airport... Between 1964-66 I took flight instructions from Bill Lewis; in 1966 I received my license.”



Richard Pearsall recalled, "I was there many years ago before it was paved.

It was the race day. It was a real zoo. Everyone wanted to get landed & get to the track… I never saw anything like it."



Donna McCallum recalled, “Speedway Airport... I lived there from 1967-78 as my father was the FBO - George Stubbs.

The runway was paved by the time we moved there in 1967.”



The 1968 Cincinnati Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)

depicted Speedway as having a 2,800' paved runway.



A 1970 aerial photo from the IN University Electronic Atlas of Central IN Historical Aerial Archive (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)

depicted Speedway as having a paved northeast/southwest runway

as well as a grass east/west runway.

The single row of T-hangars along the north side of the field had been expanded to 3 longer rows of T-hangars.



A 1971 airport directory (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)

depicted Speedway Airport as having 3 long rows of hangars along the northwest side of the runway.



The December 1971 Sectional Chart (courtesy of Charles Germaine) depicted Speedway as having a 2,900' northeast/southwest paved runway.



Dave Slosson recalled, “In the summer of 1976 I flew into Speedway airport in a helicopter,

doing auto-rotations after maintenance with the Indianapolis Police Department's Hughes 269.

The mechanic I worked for had a Taylorcraft in the hangar at the far end, in the open area of the T's.

One of the female observers was taking flying lessons from Officer Jim Stanley, who later took over the FBO, in a Piper Colt at Speedway.

My father was also on the board of the Indianapolis Airport Authority from 1972-82.

I remember discussions about Speedway being in a poor spot as far as future plans for Indianapolis International,

not because the pattern was in the way, but because any approaches to either end of the main runway would conflict with the flow at IND.

It was just too close. It was also real close to the site of the Indianapolis VORTAC, as the sectionals show.”



An aerial view by Roger Rozelle looking northeast after having departed from Speedway's Runway 24

from the 1979 AOPA Airports USA directory (courtesy of Jonathan Westerling).

Over 24 light aircraft were visible on the field.



The 1982 AOPA Airport Directory (courtesy of Ed Drury) described Speedway as having a 2,820' asphalt Runway 6/24 & a 2,345' turf Runway 9/27.

The operator was listed as Stanley Aviation Service.



The 1984 St Louis Sectional Chart depicted Speedway as having a 2,800' northeast/southwest paved runway.



A 1987 airport directory (courtesy of Chris Kennedy) listed the operator as Speedway Aviation.



An August 1990 photo by Bob Fitzpatrick of the Comanche in which he flew into Speedway.

In Bob's words, “While I only flew out of there once, I often flew over it.

It was an airport that really didn't have to die, and I am sorry to see it gone.”



The 1992 USGS topo map depicted Speedway Airport

as having one paved runway & one unpaved runway,

along with 3 hangars on the northwest side of the field.



A 1993 USGS aerial photo depicted Speedway Airport as having a paved runway,

3 long hangars on the northwest side, and 3 light single-engine planes parked near a small hangar on the southwest side.



According to Indianapolis resident Phil Brooks, the northern-most of the 3 hangars (depicted in the 1993 photo)

was removed by "a tornado [which] blew through in the early 1990s, destroying several aircraft contained within.

A United mechanic had JUST moved his 2 or 3 aircraft in from San Francisco before the tornado hit."



According to Nick Newcomb, “I visited the library, and found some information about this airport.

The tornado went through on 4/27/94. The tornado destroyed '22 vintage airplanes & their hangars.'

They decided not to rebuild the hangar because there were already plans for a new airport.

The airport lasted in service longer than expected, it was supposed to be closed in the early 1990s, but lasted a few more years.”



A 1998 USGS aerial view showed that Speedway Airport was not doing very well, as not a single plane was visible on the field.

It appeared as if it was already closed, yet it was still open.

Also note that the northern-most of the 3 hangars was missing, having been leveled a few years before by the tornado.



The last aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of Speedway Airport was on the 2000 Sectional Chart (courtesy of Ruth Wells).

It depicted Speedway as having a 2,800' paved runway.



A 2000 photo of the office at Speedway Airport.



A 2000 photo of the wind indicator at Speedway Airport.



Speedway was still listed as an active airfield in the 2000 AOPA Airport Directory

with a 2,820' asphalt Runway 6/24 & a 2,185' turf Runway 9/27.

The operator was listed as B & J Aviation.



In its latter days, Speedway Airport was owned by the Indianapolis Airport Authority.



According to Indianapolis resident Phil Brooks, "Speedway Airport was closed on New Year's Eve, 2001."

It was replaced by the new Hendricks County Airport (2R2),

which opened in 2001 on Indianapolis' west side.



Dennis Fabbrini reported in 2003, "While on approach from the west today into Indianapolis,

I noticed an X'ed off strip just northwest of Indianapolis International.

After checking a map, I determined it to be Speedway Airport.



A 2003 photo by Dennis Fabbrini of Speedway Airport's abandoned Runway 3.



A 2003 photo by Dennis Fabbrini of Speedway Airport's abandoned main hangar.



A 2003 photo by Dennis Fabbrini of Speedway Airport's abandoned main hangar & office.



A 2003 photo by Dennis Fabbrini of Speedway Airport's abandoned B1 hangar.



A 2003 photo by Dennis Fabbrini of other abandoned hangars at the former Speedway Airport.



Dennis Fabbrini continued, "The closure must have been recent, because the pavement is in pretty good shape.

Relatively fresh graffiti on the main hanger says 'goodbye old friend.'

Two long hangars sit on the north side of the field, with abundant tie-down area nearby.

The runway is oriented northeast/southwest.

New housing developments surround the field,

and fresh fence posts around the perimeter of the property indicate new chain link is on the way."



Phil Brooks visited the site of Speedway Airport on 10/4/04, to find "Nothing left - very sad."

This photo is of the "site of the main hangar, looking Southeast."



A 2004 photo by Phil Brooks, "looking East-Northeast, along what used to be the grass Runway 9/27,

also showing the former hangar area on the left."



Speedway Airport was depicted as being closed on the December 2004 St Louis Sectional Chart (courtesy of Stu Sibitzky).



A sad sight – a circa 2006 aerial view looking east at the site of Speedway Airport,

showing all of the hangars to have been removed, but the runway & taxiway pavement still intact.



Jonathan Katz reported in 2008, “The site is still owned by the Indianapolis Airport Authority.

It's 'For Sale' but there is no buyer.

They want $4M or so for all the property & were trying to sell it to the village of Avon, which is the incorporated town in the area.

I'd love to redevelop it as an airpark (it's in an area of booming home development & good schools) but I don't have the cash & the economy is the pits.

There was some talk about the land over the past year or two in the Indianapolis Star.

One of the reasons for the airport closure was listed as 'it interfered with traffic for IND.'

I find that hard to believe given that pattern traffic at 3SY would be below any approach or take-off from Indianapolis' Runway 14/32.”



A 2010 photo by Jonathan Katz looking along the remains of the Speedway paved runway.

Jonathan reported, “The Indianapolis Airport Authority is still trying to sell the land that made up the Speedway Airport.

They're still farming the greenspace & letting the tarmac decay.”



A 10/11/10 aerial view by Phil Brooks looking northwest at the abandoned Speedway Airport.



Phil Brooks noted in 2010 an unusual aspect of the Indianapolis Airport Authority's advertisement for selling the Speedway Airport land:

“Either they've forgotten why the airport was closed, or are engaging in revisionist history. This is the first time I'd heard the tornado excuse!”



Tom Townsend reported on 3/5/11, “I visited the Speedway airfield & it is the same as listed [above].

It is surrounded by new housing developments & probably will go under the bulldozer soon.”



A 10/4/12 photo by Nick Newcomb looking northeast along Runway 6, with the main taxiway to the left.



A 2013 photo by Dave Smith of a Speedway Airport sign.

Dave Smith recalled, “When they were tearing it down I noticed a 'Speedway Airport' sign sitting on top of a trash pile,

so I took it, hung it in my garage & nicely framed it. It's a cool conversation piece now.”



Phil Brooks reported in 2014, “The area is STILL undeveloped. What a waste of a nice airport.

Just to the southeast is the Outer Marker for IND Runway 14, but it's been years since that runway was used on a regular basis for landings, so there wasn't really a conflict.

Interestingly, the 'cutout' in the Class C airspace to accommodate a left downwind to Runway 21 at Speedway still exists on the latest St. Louis Sectional,

despite the airport being gone for 12 years!”



A 2015 aerial view shows the site of Speedway Airport to remain mostly intact, without redevelopment.

What a shame that this nice little airport had to be closed, with the property to remain completely unused 14 years later.



A 4/20/20 aerial view by Phil Brooks looking east at the remains of Speedway Airport.

Phil reported, “There has finally been something built on the property, an electrical substation”, over the southwest end of the former Runway 6.



A 6/14/21 aerial view by Phil Brooks looking northwest at the remains of Speedway Airport.



A 4/20/22 aerial view by Phil Brooks looking northeast at the remains of Speedway Airport.

Phil observed, “The only thing that’s been built is the substation on the west end.

There appears to be a concrete pad on the left side of the photo; that may have something to do with the substation.”



A 12/10/22 photo by Brandon Jett looking along the remains of the Speedway Airport runway.

Brandon observed, “There's a warehouse that's been built on the northeast end & I think their drainage pond may have resulted in the removal of a small portion of the runway,

but it generally still seems intact, though clearly overgrown.”



The site of Speedway Airport is located northeast of the intersection of West 21st Street & Griswold Road South.



Thanks to Dennis Fabbrini for pointing out this airfield.

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Stout Field / Stout Army Airfield, Indianapolis, IN

39.74, -86.23 (East of Indianapolis International Airport, IN)

A photo captioned “1st hangar at Staut [sic] Field 1927” (courtesy of Becky Strosnider).



This former airfield is located only 2 miles east of the present-day Indianapolis International Airport.



Stout Field was built in the 1920s by the city of Indianapolis as a municipal airport & a home for the Indiana National Guard.

According to the City of Indianapolis web site, it was also initially known as the Mars Hill Airport,

and it was the first airport to provide Indianapolis with passenger & mail service.



The earliest depiction of Stout Field which has been located

was a photo captioned “1st hangar at Staut [sic] Field 1927” (courtesy of Becky Strosnider).

It depicted the construction of the frame of a hangar.



In 1928, with expansion possibilities at Stout already limited, the city realized it needed a larger airport,

and it purchased 1,000 acres 2 miles west to build what would eventually become Indianapolis International Airport.

Stout Field was then turned over to the state to be used primarily by the National Guard & as a secondary commercial airport.



The earliest photo which has been located of aircraft at Stout Field was a circa 1928-30 photo of 2 unidentified biplanes in front of a hangar.



A circa 1928-30 aerial view looking southwest at Stout Field showed several hangars (one of which was painted “Stout” on its roof)

along the east side of a grass field, with 4 aircraft visible on the field.



A circa 1929 photo of a Douglas O-2H biplane at Stout Field.



The location of Stout Field, as depicted on the 3/18/29 Commerce Department Airway Bulletin #585 (courtesy of Lee Corbin).



The earliest aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of Stout Field was on the November 1933 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.



A 1937 aerial photo (from http://maps.indy.gov/MapIndy/) depicted Stout Field as a square grass field

with an “NG” (National Guard) marking in the center & several checkerboard-roofed hangars along the east side.



The Airport Directory Company's 1937 Airports Directory (courtesy of Bob Rambo)

described Stout Field as being operated by the National Guard, and consisting of a 2,800' square sod field.



A 1938 street map of Stout Field (courtesy of Kevin Walsh).



A 1941 aerial view of Stout Field from the IN University Electronic Atlas of Central IN Historical Aerial Archive (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)

depicted Stout's 4 runways in the process of being paved, and 4 hangars along the east side.



In early 1942 the Army Air Forces leased the nearly empty airport from the state

& converted it into a training field & headquarters for the newly created I Troop Carrier Command.

It operated C-47, C53 & C-46 transports.



A WW2-era photo of 2 Curtiss C-46 Commando transports in front of Stout's control tower.



A 11/17/43 aerial view looking north from the 1945 AAF Airfield Directory (courtesy of Scott Murdock)

showed that Stout Field had gained paved runways, a large paved ramp, and another hangar between 1941-43.



In 1944 Stout acquired a glider pick-up school as well.



A WW2-era matchbook cover for Stout Field, showing a C-47 towing a glider.



The airfield at Stout Field was significantly expanded during WW2,

as the 1944 US Army/Navy Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Ken Mercer)

described the field as having a 4,500' hard-surface runway.



Ralph Miller recalled, “Stout Field... In the summer of 1944, I attended a 2-week camp there for Civil Air Patrol Cadets. I was 16.

They were training Waco CG-4A glider pilots & snatching them with C-47s.

Ground school was very good, well organized & thorough.

Most glider snatching was on the grass beside Runway 4.

The high point for the Cadets was a ride in a glider snatched by a C-47.

There was a roar as the tow plane passed overhead just above us.

Then the jerk as he caught the tow line loop between 2 upright poles.

The nose dipped as we gained speed sliding on the skids & then rolling on the wheels.

We climbed rapidly, but it was quiet. We could see the C-47 ahead of us.

He banked left for a 180 degree turn to parallel the runway. Then another to fly overhead the landing point.

The glider pilot cut us loose there & started a 360 left to glide back to land near the starting point.

The landing was smooth & he lifted the tail to lower the nose to drag the skids to stop. A great flight!”



Ralph continued, “One day as we rode a bus from the classrooms at the south end of the field to the quarters area at the north end for lunch,

we passed by a very large 4-engine very shiny new bomber parked on the ramp.

We were instructed to forget we had seen it. It was the first I knew of the B-29s. It was gone when we passed by again.”



According to the book "Forgotten Fields of America, Volume III" by Lou Thole,

during WW2 Stout Field was comprised of a total of 357 acres, and had approximately 150 buildings.



The 1945 AAF Airfield Directory (courtesy of Scott Murdock) described Stout Field

as a 357 acre irregularly-shaped property containing 3 concrete runways, the largest being the 4,495' northeast/southwest strip.

The field was said to have 2 hangars, the largest being a 247' x 209' concrete & steel structure.

Stout Field was described as being owned by the State of IN & operated by the Army Air Forces.



After the war, the I Troop Carrier Command headquarters was transferred to Greenville, SC, and Stout stood vacant for a while.



A 1946 USAAF KS-NY Pilot's Handbook (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)

depicted Stout as having 3 paved runways, with the longest being the 4,495' Runway 4/22.



In 1947 the field was returned to the state & again became the home of the Indiana National Guard.



A circa 1947 photo of several Indiana National Guard P-51 Mustang at Stout Field.



"Stout (Army)" was described as having a 4,500' paved runway on the 1948 Cincinnati Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).



The 1948 USGS topo map depicted Stout Field as having 4 paved runways, and a ramp & buildings along the east side.



A circa late 1940s photo by Harry Cole of a National Guard “P-51 Mustang about 20-30' above Minnesota Street, gear down heading to a landing” at Stout Field.

Harry recalled, “I grew up in Indy about 3 miles from Stout Field.

I remember riding in my dad's car & the aircraft flying so low my brother and I thought it was going to land on us.

I know these photos are of Stout Field because of the buildings of what I knew was Bridgeport Brass in the background.”



A circa late 1940s photo by Harry Cole “of a C-47 on final approach with gear down about 20-30' above the ground & north of Minnesota Street”, landing at Stout Field.



The last photo which has been located showing aircraft at Stout Field was a 9/1/48 USGS aerial view.

Dozens of aircraft were parked on the east side, both on the ramp & on the grass.



Stout Field was described as having a 4,500' paved runway on a 1953 Flight Chart (courtesy of Scott O'Donnell).



Jim Slater recalled, “I've lived in Indianapolis since late 1955,

and as luck would have it, I lived about 1 & ½ blocks west of Runway 9.

Living in between 2 airports in the 1950s was exciting sometimes.

There was always something going over the house... day & night!

I remember, on weekend, 'adults' would bring their model airplanes to the west end of Runway 9 & fly them.

They were using 60 foot wires to do this, so as a youngster, it was fun to watch.

Sometime in about 1956, they used part of Stout Field for sports car racing.

Now and then, an old National Guard Otter would come out, do an engine check & then taxi back to a hangar.

The Indiana State Police had some very beautiful aircraft parked at Stout... V-tailed Bonanzas.

These aircraft had a wonderful turquoise & white color scheme.

These would takeoff & land now & then, but not on Runway 9,

(too many houses at the west end of the runway).”



In the 1956 aerial photo of Stout AAF from the Electronic Atlas of Central IN (courtesy of Chris Kennedy),

the airfield looked for all intents abandoned, as not a single aircraft was visible on the entire field.

But all 4 runways remained intact.



Stout was still depicted in the 1960 Jeppesen Airway Manual (courtesy of Chris Kennedy),

but the field was described as being "available to IN National Guard, State Police, and Highway Department aircraft only."

The field was depicted as having only 2 active runways (4,490' Runway 4/22 & 3,890' Runway 15/33).

The north/south & east/west runways were still depicted, but they had apparently been closed.



The last aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of Stout Field )" was on the January 1960 Cincinnati Sectional Chart.

It depicted “Stout (ANG)” as having 3 paved runways, with the longest being 4,500'.



Stout AAF was closed at some point between 1960-61,

as it was labeled "Stout (NG) (Closed)" on the 1961 Cincinnati Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).



Jim Slater recalled, “By 1961, buildings were popping up on some of the runways.

After that, it stopped looking like an old airport.

It took on the appearance of an industrial park combined with a parking lot for National Guard trucks.”



Stout Field appeared to remain largely intact in a 1962 aerial photo, but several buildings had been constructed over Runway 15.



Stout Field was depicted as an abandoned airfield on the September 1969 St. Louis Sectional Chart (courtesy of Ron Plante).



Jim Slater recalled, “By the mid-1970s, there were 2 F-80s mounted on pylons at the southeast & northeast end of the field.”



By 1977, portions of the land not used by the National Guard were sold off to become an industrial park.



The 1986 USGS topo map still depicted several remaining runways at “Stout Field (Abandoned)”.



According to Jim Slater, “There were plans to make an outdoor museum so a collection of different aircraft started coming together,

but something changed by the mid 1980s & most of it was gone.”



A 1992 USGS aerial view looking north showed warehouses had been built over significant portions of the Stout Field runways,

and other portions of the runways were used for vehicle parking.



According to Jim Slater, “In the mid-1990s, there was still 1 aircraft parked at the field.

It was a static display the public hardly noticed it. An old F-101 Voodoo was all that was left.

Needless to say, I took my young daughter to Stout Field 1 day,

got permission from the National Guard to walk out to the F-101 & I took her picture standing next to it.

She was more interested in the birds that were flying in & out of the air intakes.”



A 1994 photo by Lou Thole (author of the book "Forgotten Fields of America") of former hangars at Stout Field.



A 1994 photo by Lou Thole (author of the book "Forgotten Fields of America")

of Stout Field's former headquarters building (with control tower on top).



A 1994 photo by Lou Thole showing the view from inside Stout Field's former control tower.



A circa 2005 aerial photo looking north at Stout's remaining control tower building.



A circa 2005 aerial photo looking north at 1 of 2 remaining hangars at Stout Field, on the southeast corner of the base.



Jim Slater reported that by 2005, the static display F-101 formerly at Stout Field “was long gone.”



Jim Slater reported in 2006, “The old control tower & a couple of the old hangars are still at Stout Field.

Old, crumbling runways can still be found, along with yellow painted lines, but you have to look for them.

They're all reminders of how this airport, at 1 time, was an active place, pointing to the future.

Funny how when we sometimes look so hard for the future, we forget & bury our past.”



A 2008 photo by Dick Merrill of Stout's control tower.

Dick reported, “The guard said I couldn't get on the field to take photos of the old terminal.”



A 2008 photo by Dick Merrill of a former hangar at Stout Field.



A 2008 photo by Dick Merrill of a military emblem on a former hangar at Stout Field.



Brian Harrier of Tippmann Properties reported in 2008, “The history of Stout Field is not completely forgotten.

I manage many of the industrial buildings in the park.

We still refer to the buildings that were built on Runway 15 as the 'Runway Buildings'.

Grass does not easily grow on the north end, possibly where the runway lights used to be.

We also use some of the original brick drainage system that dates back well before 1961.”



A 3/5/11 photo of the Stout control tower by Tom Townsend.

Tom reported, “I could not get through the gate,

but the guard said that the Indiana Historical Society is rehabbing the tower & visits can be arranged by calling them in advance.”



A 3/5/11 photo of a Stout hangar by Tom Townsend.



A 9/22/12 photo of the Stout control tower by Nick Newcomb.



A 9/22/12 photo by Nick Newcomb of Stout's “original runway pavement, you can get a good idea of the condition from this picture.

There is a road that runs right through the center of the field, and the National Guard is stationed there now. Barbed wire fences surround much of the field.

Parts of the former runways are now degraded, and covered with gravel from the runways, but there are some patches of runway that are visible.

The concrete itself seems to be in pretty good condition in some places.”



H. Bennis reported in 2013, “The tower building has been renovated & is used for National Guard office space.

The hangar immediately south was used to refurbish the bronze top from the monument on the circle last year.

It is now office space for the Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve.

The hanger (Building 9) on the southeast corner was headquarters for the Indiana Guard Reserve & a National Guard military police company.

Both have moved to Tyndall Armory downtown & the hangar is being extensively refurbished.

Last year it was used for the American Legion convention & a job fair.

The National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters is also undergoing some major additions.

The 38th Infantry Division vehicle maintenance depot has doubled in size on the southwest corner.”



A 2016 aerial view looking north showed the alignment of Stout Field's runways was still recognizable.



A May 2019 photo looking southwest at the former Stout control tower.






A May 2019 photo looking northwest at a former Stout Field hangar which remains on the southeast corner of the site.



A May 2019 photo looking south along the former Stout Field Runway 15, with the former hangar visible at top-left.



As of 2023, street maps label for the former Stout control tower building as “Joint Force Headquarters”.



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