The 1940 Houston Air Terminal Museum Terminal and Hanger. (original) (raw)

Houston Air Teminal Museum TE photo, August 2006

In the late 20s East Texas lumber and railroad tycoon W. T. Carter bought an airfield in SE Houston. As aviation switched from biplanes to monoplanes and passenger flight looked as though it was here to stay, the city of Houston decided that it needed an airfield for civilian use. Carter sold the land to the city in 1937 and Joseph Finger, who had just finished designing the Houston City Hall (1939) took on the job of designing the Municipal Airport Terminal which was finished in 1940.

Houston Air Teminal Museum during opening ceremonies in 1999 Photo Courtesy 1940 Air Terminal Mueseum

Trans-Texas Airways' "Cowgirls of the Air" Photo Courtesy 1940 Air Terminal Museum

Air Teminal Hanger just south of the Museum on Travelaire TE photo, September 2006

The AIA Architectural Guide to Houston states that the project was completed "with assistance by the Public Works Administration." The AIA Guide (an essential volume for anyone interested in Houston History) includes the nearby aircraft hanger in its description of the property.

Houston Air Teminal aerial shortly after it had additions removed Photo Courtesy 1940 Air Terminal Museum

Houston's Department of Aviation demolished buildings that had been "tacked on" to the original terminal building in 1988, bringing it back to it's 1940 appearance. The building stopped activities when it was replaced by the present William Hobby Terminal on Broadway and Airport Blvd. in 1954.

Architectural Detail TE photo, September 2006

Architectural Detail of a Autogyro TE photo, September 2006

Houston Air Teminal Museum Detail TE photo, September 2006

Today the terminal building houses the 1940 Air Terminal Museum. The building is being restored as a project of the Houston Aeronautical Heritage Society. For hours of operation, please visit their site at www.1940AirTerminal.org

Directional sign on Telephone Road south of Airport TE photo, September 2006

Forum

• Subject: Houston's 1940 Air Terminal
  When I was with a paper manufacturer, we flew into the airport there a lot. I remember one day vividly. When the paper company (Southland Paper Mills) was acquired by St. Regis Paper Company of New York, Southland's pilots flew the company plane into Houston to turn it over to St. Regis. The plane's landing gear collapsed and skidded down the runway. No injuries, except to the pilots' pride. St. Regis never forgave them for giving them a wrecked plane on the last day of Southland's existence.
  Best wishes, and thanks for everything you're doing for small towns in Texas. - Bob Bowman, Lufkin, Texas, October 07, 2006