About La Porte Municipal Airport

Local LaPorte resident, Elmer Burlingame, designs monoplane.

A JN-4D Curtis by-plane, owned by Frank Kemp, lands in LaPorte. Frank Kemp becomes first citizen of LaPorte County to own a plane.

Owner of the field, C. Nelson, presents flying circus, balloon ascension, military band, military air show, wing-walker handcuffed to the plane and an aviation artist who performed on a rope ladder.

Gerry Demunck becomes manager of the first airfield, located on the Ridgeway Farm just south of LaPorte. The field is home to Gerry’s Flight School and charter business

Due to winds of gale proportions, United Airlines is forced to land at LaPorte Air Field.

The LaPorte Chamber of Commerce appeals to the City for funding of the airport field. After the City’s four-year lease expired, the airport prevailed and the City provided the needed funds.

The Civil Aviation Authority requires that LaPorte Airport provide increased security, a 24-hour armed guard, and a daytime clearance officer.

City of LaPorte takes over ownership of airport, with increased development of land and building structures. First two hangars are constructed.

The City executes its first federal grant agreement to pave the runway, which was then 2,500 feet by 60 feet. In that same year, the City entered into a leaseback transaction with contractor Don Hastings for the construction of two T-hangars, which would house a total of seventeen aircraft. Those T-hangars still stand today.

Grant from Indiana Aeronautics Commission and loan from the Department of Commerce to purchase 50 acres on south side of airport.

LaPorte closes country road and obtains federal master planning agreement. The runway is lengthened to the south for a total distance of 3,300 feet.

Received grant from Federal Aviation Administration to purchase 80 acres on north side of airport.

Runway is lengthened again by 1,100 feet, bringing the total to 4,400 feet.

The runway is widened to 75 feet, new runway lights are installed and the City of LaPorte authorizes a $1.2 million bond for airport projects. Among the main accomplishments with the bond proceeds are the construction of a new T-hangar on the west side of the field, the renovation of one of the original hangars on the east side of the field, modernizing the terminal building and the construction and paving of a new cross-wind runway.