Saturday, October 11, 2008

NOLA Lakefront Airport: Ripe for Restoration

Before the larger Louis Armstrong airport was built in New Orleans, the major airport for the city was located about a mile from my boyhood home which was about a block from Lake Pontchartrain. I used to access the lake by the seawall at the end of the longest runway. Keep in mind that this airport accepted only propeller aircraft, likely no larger than a DC-3.
As you will see in the video it was a grand building until the 60s when, for whatever reason, some brilliant military minds decided it required a make over. Now, it is going to be made-over again and restored to its original deco beauty. Enjoy.
Clear for takeoff




As a kid and teen, I spent lots of time in the building. It was a private airport by then and it is still in operation today. There were shops, restaurants, and a grand hall where schools held weekend dances. At the reunion this Summer past, we reminisced about that place and those times. One friend and her husband flew into the airport in their plane for the reunion and she was pleased to hear of the restoration.

More later.
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1 comment:

  1. Hope it turns out great in its former splendor.
    Modern buildings don't have the class as they were way back when.

    ReplyDelete

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