Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields:

Eastern New Mexico

© 2004, © 2024 by Paul Freeman. Revised 6/19/24.

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Fort Sumner Aux AAF #5 (revised 6/19/24) - Hillcrest Airport (revised 10/5/17) - Portales Municipal Airport (1st location) (revised 8/4/21)

Portales Municipal Airport (2nd location) (revised 9/17/16) - Portales Municipal Airport (3rd location) (revised 6/19/24)

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Fort Sumner Auxiliary Army Airfield #5 / Taiban Field, Charlotte, NM

34.59, -104 (East of Albuquerque, NM)

A 10/5/43 aerial view looking north from the 1945 AAF Airfield Directory (courtesy of Scott Murdock)

depicted “Ft. Sumner AAF Auxiliary #5 (Taiban Field)” as having 3 paved runways & several taxiways.



Fort Sumner Auxiliary Airfield #5 was evidently established at some point in 1943,

as it was not yet depicted on the February 1943 Albuquerque Sectional Chart.



The earliest depiction of Fort Sumner Aux #5 which has been located

was a 10/5/43 aerial view from the 1945 AAF Airfield Directory (courtesy of Scott Murdock).

It depicted “Ft. Sumner AAF Auxiliary #5 (Taiban Field)” as having 3 paved runways & several taxiways.



Fort Sumner Auxiliary Airfield #5 was established as one of 2 auxiliary airfields for Fort Sumner AAF (to the southwest),

which was used as a training field for fighter pilots.



The earliest aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of Fort Sumner Auxiliary Airfield #5 was on the February 1944 Albuquerque Sectional Chart.

It depicted Airfield #5 in relation to its parent airfield, Ft. Sumner AAF.



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

described Fort Sumner Aux #5 as having a 6,000' hard-surface runway.



The 1945 AAF Airfield Directory (courtesy of Scott Murdock) described “Ft. Sumner AAF Auxiliary #5 (Taiban Field)”

as a 800 acre irregularly-shaped property having 3 asphalt 6,000' runways, oriented north/south, northeast/southwest, and east/west.

The field was not said to have any hangars, and was described as being owned by the U.S. Government & operated by the Army Air Forces.



At some point between 1945-46, Fort Sumner Aux #5 may have been reused as a civilian airport,

as "Fort Sumner #5" was depicted as a civilian airfield on the September 1946 Albuquerque Sectional Chart.



The earliest photo which has been located of the Ft. Sumner Aux #5 airfield was a 2/3/54 USGS aerial view.

It had a somewhat unusual configuration, with 3 paved runways connected by 4 paved taxiways which all intersected in the center.

There did not appear to have been any ramp area, or indication of any former hangars or other buildings.



"Fort Sumner #5" was depicted as a civilian airfield on the 1955 Albuquerque Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy),

and described as having a 6,100' hard-surface runway.



Fort Sumner #5 was still depicted on the December 1968 Albuquerque Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy),

but it was marked as "Emergency only".



Fort Sumner Aux #5 was apparently abandoned at some point between 1968-80.

The former airfield was not depicted at all on the 1968/80/82/84 USGS topo maps, or the 1998 World Aeronautical Chart,

which is unusual, for such a large abandoned airfield which still remains largely intact.



A 1997 USGS aerial photo looking north showed the Ft. Sumner Aux #5 airfield remained intact.



Tim Tyler visited the site of Ft. Sumner Aux #5 on 10/20/04, and reported that it appeared as a "large, grassy field.

What appeared on Street Atlas USA to be the former road that led into the site was completely obscured with what looked to be the remains of a small cattle loading pen.

No foundations or anything else was visible."



A 2019 photo by Matt Franklin of the remains of a concrete foundation on the west side of the site of Ft. Sumner Aux AAF #5.

Matt Franklin reported, “I pulled off on the side of the road & thought I was going to start a bushfire with my exhaust.

I had a good mile-long walk down some of the runways & taxiways.

The asphalt appears to have been actively chewed-up, which I think may have been a precaution to stop its use for illicit purposes, although most dirt roads in NM provide a convenient runway if one is so inclined.

Apart from the decrepit asphalt, [what remains is] the concrete foundation on the west end of the field.

Looking for a day out with the family? Ft. Sumner Aux #5 has neither food nor fun.”



A 2020 aerial view loking north showed Ft. Sumner Aux AAF #5 remained remarkably intact.



Fort Sumner Aux #5 is located northeast of the intersection of Route 252 & Route 36.



Thanks to Chris Kennedy for pointing out this airfield.

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Portales Municipal Airport (1st location), Midway, NM

34.25, -103.24 (Southeast of Albuquerque, NM)

The original Portales Municipal Airport, as depicted on the January 1942 Albuquerque Sectional Chart.

Photo of the airfield while open has not been located.



The short-lived 1st location for the municipal airport for the town of Portales was located 6.5 miles northeast of the town.

It was evidently established at this location at some point between 1940-41,

as it was not yet listed among active airfields in The Airport Directory Company's 1937 Airport Directory (courtesy of Bob Rambo)

nor depicted on the July 1940 Albuquerque Sectional Chart.



The earliest reference to the Portales Airport which has been located

was in The Airport Directory Company's 1941 Airport Directory (according to Chris Kennedy).

It described Portales as having 4 unpaved runways.



The earliest aeronautical depiction of the Portales Airport which has been located was on the January 1942 Albuquerque Sectional Chart.

It depicted Portales as a commercial/municipal airport.



The last aeronautical depiction of the Portales Airport which has been located

was on the February 1944 Albuquerque Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).

It depicted Portales as an auxiliary airfield.



The Haire Publishing Company's 1945 Airport Directory (according to Chris Kennedy)

still listed the Portales Airport as being located northeast of the town.



At some point between 1944-45 the original Portales Airport to the northeast was replaced by a new field 5 miles southwest of the town,

and the original airfield was evidently closed at the same time,

as only the new airport (to the southwest) was depicted on the September 1945 Albuquerque Sectional Aeronautical Chart.



A 1954 aerial view showed some faint traces of runways.



Marion Stinnett recalled, “Eastern New Mexico University wanted a new football stadium, and built it on the site of [Portales Airport] Version 1.”



As seen in a 1996 USGS aerial photo, the Eastern NM University stadium was built over the northwest portion of the site of the 1st Portales Airport.

However, the faint trace of the outline of several former runways was still perceptible, southeast of the stadium.

It is not known if any buildings remain from the airfield.



A 2014 aerial photo of the site of the original Portales Airport showed faint traces of the outline of several former runways is still perceptible, southeast of the stadium.



Marion Stinnett reported in 2022, “That stadium is still out there, but it is unused now, I think. I guess it's not worth the money to knock it down.”



The site of the original Portales Airport is located on the southeast side of Route 70, 1 mile northwest of its intersection with Route 202.

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Portales Municipal Airport (2nd location), Portales, NM

34.13, -103.39 (Southeast of Albuquerque, NM)

The 2nd location of the Portales Municipal Airport, as depicted on the September 1945 Albuquerque Sectional Chart.

Photo of the airfield while open has not been located.



At some point between 1944-45, the original Portales Airport (6.5 miles northeast of the town)

was replaced by a new field 5 miles southwest of the town.

The new Portales Airport was depicted as a commercial/municipal airport in that location

on the September 1945 Albuquerque Sectional Chart.



The 2nd location of the Portales Municipal Airport,

as depicted on the March 1946 Estacado Plain World Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of David Brooks).



The Portales Airport was still depicted southwest of the town

on the September 1948 Albuquerque Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy).



However, a 3rd location of the Portales Airport was evidently established at some point between 1948-50,

and the 2nd location of the airport was evidently abandoned.

Only the new airport (2 miles to the west of the town) was depicted on the March 1950 Albuquerque Sectional Chart & the 1954 USGS topo map.



A 1954 aerial view did not depict any recognizable traces of the 2nd location of Portales Airport.



As seen in the 1996 USGS aerial photo, the site of the 2nd location of Portales Airport does not bear any recognizable trace of the former airport.

However, note the runways of the present-day Portales Airport (the 4th location of the town's airport)

on the opposite side of the highway to the northwest.



The site of the 2nd location of the Portales Airport is located southwest of the intersection of Route 70

and South Roosevelt Road U.

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Portales Municipal Airport (3rd location), Portales, NM

34.18, -103.37 (Southeast of Albuquerque, NM)

The 3rd location of the Portales Municipal Airport, as depicted on the March 1950 Albuquerque Sectional Chart.



The 3rd location for the municipal airport for the town of Portales was located 2 miles west of the town.

It was evidently established at this location at some point between 1948-50,

as it was not yet depicted on the September 1948 Albuquerque Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy)

(which still depicted the 2nd location of Portales Airport, to the southwest of the town).

The earliest depiction of the Portales Airport to the west of the town which has been located

was on the March 1950 Albuquerque Sectional Chart.

It depicted Portales as having a 3,500' hard-surface runway.



The October 1954 Albuquerque Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy) depicted Portales as having a 3,500' hard-surface runway.



The earliest photo which has been located showing the Portales Airport to the west of the town in operation was a 10/11/54 USGS aerial view.

It depicted Portales as having 1 paved runway & 2 unpaved runways, and 3 hangars on the northwest side. There were no aircraft visible on the field.



The 1957 USGS topo map depicted Portales as having 2 paved runways and taxiways leading to several small buildings on the north side.



The 1960 Jeppesen Airway Manual (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)

depicted Portales as having a 3,500' paved Runway 2/20, along with 2 shorter crosswind "turf" runways.

Taxiways led to a ramp on the north side of the field with several hangars & buildings.



The 1966 AOPA Airport Directory (according to David Brooks) described Portales as having a 3,500' Runway 3/21 & a 2,400' Runway 7/25.

The operator was listed as the City of Portales.



Michael Hilger recalled, “I learned to fly at Portales (#3) in 1972 when I was stationed at nearby Cannon AFB.

My instructor was also the airport manager, Robert McKelvey. Bob owned the flight school & Fixed Base Operator.

I worked part-time for Bob on weekends for a while. The city provided a mobile home on-site for the manager.

I met Ray Lauterbach, owner of Lauterbach Flying Service while I was there. Their main business was aerial application.

I remember Ray showing up with a new agricultural plane with a radial engine & a huge hopper. He called it a 'Snow'.

Designed by Leland Snow (whose company would soon be called 'Air Tractor'), it went right to work. I flew out of there until 1975.”



The last photo which has been located showing the Portales Airport to the west of the town in operation was a circa 1970s photo by Marion Stinnett.

It showed 3 Cessnas & a Piper next to a 2-story building with a windsock on the roof.

Marion Stinnett recalled, “I took some lessons at Portales Municipal Airport version 3, in the 1970s.

Bob McKelvey was the Fixed-Base Operator. I remember Bob & his trailer house. I only remember the north/south runway.”



Portales was depicted on the July 1977 CG-19 World Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy) as having 2 paved runways, with the longest being 3,500'.



The main runway at Portales was evidently lengthened at some point between 1977-87,

as the 1987 Flight Guide (courtesy of David Brooks) depicted Runway 2/20 as being 5,230' long (although the runway surface was described as "loose gravel").

The only other runway was the 2,450' loose gravel Runway 9/27; the former 3rd runway had apparently been abandoned.

Lauterbach Flying Service was depicted as occupying the building on the north side of the ramp.



According to Airportguide.com, the current Portales Airport (the 4th location) was activated in August 1989,

and the 1990-91 New Mexico Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Fred DeGuio) depicted the 3rd Portales Airport as closed.



At some point between 1987-96, the 3rd Portales Airport was replaced yet again (for the 4th time!) by a new field 2 miles to the southwest,

and the 3rd location of the airfield was presumably closed at the same time.



As seen in a 1996 USGS aerial view looking northwest, the majority of the length of both runways at Portales still exist, but 4 baseball diamonds have been built right over the runway intersection.

Note the hangars which remain, as well as the closed-runway "X" still visible on the north end of the runway.

David Brooks observed, "A nice airfield that had been there for decades destroyed for 4 baseball diamonds!

Who knows why - maybe the locals did not like the noise or they wanted 4 baseball diamonds?"



A 12/29/14 photo by Ken Morrison of the remains of the runway pavement at the site of the 3rd location of Portales Airport, with a yellow closed-runway “X” symbol still barely visible.

Ken reported, The green-roofed building is the senior center. It's near the approach end of Runway 20.”



A 12/29/14 photo by Ken Morrison of a former hangar at the site of the 3rd location of Portales Airport.



A 12/29/14 photo by Ken Morrison of former hangars at the site of the 3rd location of Portales Airport.



A 12/29/14 photo by Ken Morrison of building (presumably the former airport office?) at the site of the 3rd location of Portales Airport, with lettering that said “Portales” & other unreadable text.



A 2020 aerial view looking northwest showed that traces of all 3 Portales runways still remained recognizable, and several hangars remain standing on the north end.






A 2024 photo looking east at former hangars on the northwest corner of the site of the 3rd location of Portales Airport.



The site of the 3rd location of Portales Airport is located southwest of the intersection of Route 88 & South Industrial Drive.

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Hillcrest Airport (E86), Clovis, NM

34.41, -103.17 (Northwest of Lubbock, TX)

Hillcrest Airport, as depicted on the 1945 Albuquerque Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).

Photo of the airport while open has not been located.



Hillcrest Airport was apparently opened at some point between 1944-45,

as it was not yet depicted on the 1944 Albuquerque Sectional Chart

nor listed in the 1944 US Army/Navy Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Ken Mercer).



The earliest depiction of Hillcrest Airport which could be located

was on the 1945 Albuquerque Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy),

which depicted it as a commercial or municipal airport.



An article in the 8/19/45 Clovis News-Journal (courtesy of Matt Franklin) said:

“The Santa Fe Air Trails operated at the Clovis Airport & the Eastern NM Flying Service operated at the Hillcrest Airport

have been purchased by Jim Taylor & will now be consolidated & operated at the Hillcrest Airport under one management.

By this arrangement with one commercial airport, we expect to give Clovis one of the best flying schools, and all the modern flying facilities possible.

We will conduct the new Airport under the same policies we have established since we came to Clovis.”



The 1957 USGS topo map depicted Hillcrest as having 5 unpaved runways, labeled simply as “Landing Field”.



According to Chris Kennedy, the 1963 AOPA Airport Directory described Hillcrest as having 4 unpaved runways,

with the longest being the 3,600' Runways 3/21 & 13/31.

The operator was listed as Western Flying Service.



The February 1968 Albuquerque Sectional Chart depicted Hillcrest Airport as having a 3,600' unpaved runway.



Hillcrest's airfield configuration was basically unchanged

as depicted in the 1967 Flight Guide (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).

A single building (a hangar?) was depicted at the south end of the field.



Hillcrest was still listed as an active airfield in the 1982 AOPA Airport Directory (courtesy of Ed Drury),

but its status had changed to a private airfield, with the remark, "Use at own risk."

The number of runways had decreased to only two: 3,600' Runway 13/31 & 2,800' Runway 8/26, both turf.



The last depiction which has been located of Hillcrest Airport was on the 1988/89 NM Aeronautical Chart (according to Fred DeGuio).



Hillcrest Airport was evidently closed at some point between 1988-91,

as it was no longer depicted on the 1990/91 NM Aeronautical Chart (according to Fred DeGuio).



On the 1985 USGS topo map, Hillcrest Airport was labeled simply as "Landing Strips", which probably indicates that it was closed by that point.



A 1997 USGS aerial view looking north at the site of Hillcrest Airport showed the outlines of at least 3 runways & one taxiway were still recognizable.

It was not apparent whether the airport building (at the south end) was still standing.



George Ruch reported in 2004, "Hillcrest Airport is now nothing more than mainly unused land.

There has been some development along the southern border (East 7th Street) - a now-empty ClientLogic call center on the southeast corner

and Eastern New Mexico Rehabilitation Services near the southwest corner."



A 2016 aerial view looking north at the Hillcrest Airport site shows several buildings had been constructed over the southern edge of the airport property, and houses had covered the western portion,

but the outlines of 2 runways were still recognizable on the northeast corner.



The site of Hillcrest Airport is located northeast of the intersection of East 7th Street & Schepps Boulevard.



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