Storied airport marks anniversary

Craig Bullock, Burbank Leader, May 7, 2003

This year marks the centennial of flight, a milestone in aviation history, as well as the 73ed anniversary of an airport in Burbank. During its storied history, the airport has seen many changes in names, owners, aircraft and people, which have contributed to its evolution into what it is today. One would be hard-pressed to find a person in Burbank who does not have an opinion regarding the airport or its future. It is, however, worthy to know how it all got started.

In the late 1920's Austin Co., Airport Engineers and Builders, along with officials from Boeing Air Transport Corporation, carefully planned the site where the airport was constructed. Before the airport was constructed, the vacant 243-acre land had to be cleared of more that 100 huge oak and eucalyptus trees. This process was rapidly completed, given that little, if any, environmental restrictions existed at the time. Once cleared, the site showed promise of being an airport, which was in demand since flying was becoming increasingly common. The site's uniform grade became a natural asset for its intended purpose. The site's convenient location in the open fields of Burbank was close to downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena and Hollywood.

Planning for the airport was already underway before the first tree even fell. The vacant space was quickly divided into expandable areas that comprise of any airport, such as a terminal, runways, parking, etc. Everything was designed with safety as a first priority. The new airport was a combination of architectural beauty, safety and the latest technological achievements the 1930's offered.

The three original 5-inch thick asphalt runways were constructed with a minimum grade to allow for the safest possible takeoffs and landings. The black runways also contrasted nicely with the green alpha fields so that the airport was visible from the air. The original north-sough runway was 3,000 feet, while the east-west runway and northwest-southwest runway were each 3,600 feet long, the later runway being in the direction of prevailing winds. The runways were 300 feet wide but were expandable to 500 feet. There was a taxi area constructed around all the runways so that planes would not have to cross each other on the runway, a feature that allowed an A-1A rating from the Department of Commerce, a precursor of the FAA.

The three-story terminal's motif was done in a Spanish architecture that was simple but elegant and greeted passengers as they either arrived or departed from the airport. Nicely dressed people could be seen throughout the terminal area enjoying themselves as they conducted their business. Tastefully decorated and equipped with the most modern kitchen equipment of the 1930's, the dinning room could accommodate approximately 200 people for entertaining. The upper levels of the terminal, which are now used as administrative offices, were reserved for the U.S. Weather Bureau and radio. The third floor was for observation purposes. The grounds surrounding the terminal were beautifully landscaped and included a fountain and lily pond.

Ironically, the airport then seemed to have a more sophisticated method for passengers to board lanes than exists today. As passengers exited the terminal, they walked under a telescopic metal canopy that which was operated on a steal (steel) track. The canopy system was especially designed for the airport and protected passengers from the elements.

Others amenities were constructed at the airport to make it fully functional. A parking lot, conveniently located near the terminal, accommodated 2,500 cars. Hangars 1 and 2, along with hangars occupied by Northrop and the Hamilton Standard Propeller Co., were constructed. Other structures included service yards and other facility related structures.

On May 30, 1030,, the United Airport of Burbank opened with great fanfare. This was to be the nation's first million-dollar airport; the initial investment was actually $ 1.5 million. It was designed and constructed to be one of the world's finest airports. At that time, it was viewed as an attractive state-of-the-art facility with the highest safety standards. There would be many more changes over the years at the airport, but that is is how it got its start.

Seventy-three years have passed since its opening, and while it now belongs to three cities, its history is uniquely Burbank's.

Craig Bullock, chairman of the Burbank Heritage Commission