Sky Harbor History

This picture appeared in the AZ Republic in an article about the new sky train. As it notes a private company purchased the land in 1928 and started an airfield named Sky Harbor. The stock market crash of 29 causes Scenic Airline to abandon the property.

This is taken from Sky Harbor Website section on Airport history.

As the state of Arizona and the Valley of the Sun grew, it was important that the area have an Airport that would boost travel to and from the region. There already was an airport located in Phoenix named Sky Harbor. It got its start in 1928 when Scenic Airways, Inc. wanted to get flights going in the Southwest because they thought it would be a profitable venture. Scenic General Manager, J. Parker Van Zandt purchased the land for Scenic, made numerous improvements and named the new airport Sky Harbor. A formal dedication was held on Labor Day in 1929 for the Airport and more than 8,000 people attended.

But the Stock Market Crash of 1929 meant that Scenic Airways had to abandon the airport due to lack of funds and offer it up for sale. The City of Phoenix was not interested in purchasing Sky Harbor at that time so Acme Investment Company purchased it instead. In 1930, American Airlines brought passenger and Air Mail service to Arizona. It was an exciting time for residents as they often came out to greet the planes as mail arrived.

As time passed, however, Acme Investment Company was no longer interested in owning the Airport and finally convinced the City of Phoenix to purchase it in 1935 for $100,000. Back then, Sky Harbor Airport was so isolated from everything that residents nicknamed it "The Farm." This purchase would enable Sky Harbor Airport to become one of the ten busiest in the United States for passenger traffic and be the huge economic engine it is for the state of Arizona today.

On November 11, 1935, the City held a dedication for Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Dignitaries spoke, an aerial circus performed, and a dinner dance was held at the Westward Ho to celebrate.

During the 1930's couples actually used to fly into Sky Harbor and go to the chapel that was in close proximity to the original terminal because Arizona was one of the few states that did not require a three day waiting period to get married. Even celebrities would fly in, have a quick celebration and fly out. One celebrity couple married at Sky Harbor was Donald Novis, a radio singer, and Dorothy Bradshaw, a Broadway dancer. The chapel was near where the Left Seat Restaurant is currently located.


Don't you just love the fish!