If you hadn't been to Holman Field downtown for awhile, you will probably be as surprised as I at the remodelling and addition of a restaurant and comfortable waiting area. Its Art Deco facade and historical significance is impressive.
HISTORY (Credit: Wikipedia):
History
Holman Field was named for Charles W. "Speed" Holman (born in 1898), who was a stunt pilot, barnstormer, wing walker, parachutist, airmail pilot, aviation record holder and airline pilot. Born in Bloomington, he was the first pilot hired by Northwest Airways in 1926. In 1928, Holman set a world's record of 1,433 consecutive loops in an airplane in five hours over the St. Paul Airport. He died in an accident during an air show in Omaha in 1931 at the age of 32.
During World War II, Northwest Airlines employed up to 5,000 people at the site, modifying new B-24 Liberator bombers, some of which received the highly classified H2X radar, which proved to be an invaluable tool in the European theater.
The terminal was used as a backdrop for scenes in the 1972 film Slaughterhouse-Five.
The interior looks well decorated.
ReplyDeleteA very interesting post! I know literally nothing about Holman Field. I know a lot about the late Wold Chamberlain, though, having spent 3 years in the Navy there.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting slice of history. Fine post.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing I like more than an Art Deco facade Kate! Things change so fast these days it's often surprising when visiting a spot you haven't been to for a while ☺
ReplyDeleteA nice bit of history. Holman sounds like a very interesting character who loved everything about flying.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a really distinctive terminal, quite unlike any I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteThey have kept it from the 1930s? Remarkable for something like an air terminal.
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