Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields:
Southern Indiana
© 2002, © 2009 by Paul Freeman. Revised 1/27/09.
Dresser Field / Paul Cox Field (revised 1/27/09) - Emison Aux AAF #2 / Emison Airport / Green Airport / Ed-Air Airport (revised 11/13/07)
Madison AAF / Madison Municipal Airport (revised 9/6/08) - Walesboro Aux AAF #4 (revised 6/10/06)
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Dresser Field / Paul Cox Field, Terre Haute, IN
39.42 North / 87.41 West (Southwest of Indianapolis, IN)
A pre-1933 map of Dresser Field (courtesy of Greg Haxton).
According to a history from the Terre Haute First National Bank,
in 1926 former Army pilot Paul Cox directed the formation of the Terre Haute Airport (Aero) Club,
which leased 168 unimproved acres on the city’s south edge for an airfield.
Receiving support from Fort Harrison American Legion Post #40,
Cox & other aviation enthusiasts organized Terre Haute Airways Inc. to develop a public airport.
With President Cox spearheading the crusade, the organization convinced reluctant politicians that the city needed the facility.
Designated Dresser Field, the property was acquired in 1929 for $82,175,
and the venture was an immediate success.
A undated (pre-1933) diagram of Dresser Field (courtesy of Greg Haxton)
depicted the field as an irregularly-shaped property within which were 2 unpaved runways,
with 2 other “proposed runways”.
A single hangar was located at the northeast corner.
The man chiefly responsible for Dresser Field did not enjoy its benefits long.
On June 23, 1932, Paul Cox, only 35, and 30-year-old passenger William Root were killed
when Cox’s private aircraft crashed at dusk in a field near Farmersburg.
On June 21, 1933 - accompanied by a spectacular aerial show -
Dresser Field was rededicated “Paul Cox Field” as a memorial to his leadership.
An undated aerial view looking north at Dresser Field from The Airport Directory Company's 1937 Airport Directory (courtesy of Bob Rambo).
It described Dresser as a municipal airport, consisting of a 168 acre rectangular sod field, measuring 3,240' x 2,550'.
A hangar roof was said to be painted with “Dresser Field”.
An undated (circa 1930s?) aerial view looking at Paul Cox Field
(from the Martin Collection of the Vigo County Public Library, courtesy of Bill Foraker),
showing a hangar & several aircraft, including 2 twin-engine Army bombers (specific type unidentified).
A closeup from the circa 1930s aerial view (from the Martin Collection of the Vigo County Public Library, courtesy of Bill Foraker),
showing Paul Cox Field's hangar, several monoplanes & biplanes, and a snack bar.
Greg Haxton recalled, “Dresser Field... My grandfather John Haxton was the airport manager their for quite a few years.
My grandfather was a friend of Roscoe Turner, who used this field a bit
and my Uncle even had a pilot's log book where he had received flight lesson from Roscoe.”
The earliest aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of Paul Cox Field
was on the April 1941 Cincinnati Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
It depicted Paul Cox as a commercial/municipal airport.
A 1941 photo showing an Army P-39 fighter & an
early-model B-17 bomber at Paul Cox Field (courtesy of Bill
Foraker).
A 1941 photo showing a Navy SBC-4 dive bomber at Paul Cox Field (courtesy of Bill Foraker).
Due to the limited size of Cox Field,
plans to handle proposed transcontinental service were rejected by the federal government in 1942,
placing the airport’s future in jeopardy.
An August 14, 1943 aerial view of Dresser / Cox Field (courtesy of Greg Haxton),
showing numerous single & twin-engine aircraft on the field.
Was this some type of special occasion?
A larger airport, Hulman Field, was dedicated on October 3, 1944.
Cox Field's U.S. Weather Bureau facilities & and the Civil Aeronautics Administration office
were relocated to Hulman Field in late 1946.
Cox Field continued to serve the community as a general aviation airport for several more years.
The last aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of Paul Cox Field
was on the June 1954 Cincinnati Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
It depicted Paul Cox as having a 2,700' unpaved runway.
Paul Cox Field was closed on December 18, 1959.
Terre Haute South Vigo High School opened on the site in 1971.
As seen in a circa 2006 aerial photo,
South Vigo High School occupies the site of Paul Cox Field,
and not a trace of the airport appears to remain.
The site of Paul Cox Field is located southwest of the intersection of East 33rd Street & South 7th Street.
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Emison Auxiliary Army Airfield #2 (OTN) / Emison Airport /
Green Airport / Ed-Air Airport, Oaktown, IN
38.85 North / 87.5 West (Southwest of Indianapolis, IN)
Emison, as depicted as a private airfield on the 1967 Cincinnati Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
This field was built during WW2 as one of 4 satellite airfields for George AAF in Lawrenceville, IL,
which was a training base for light & medium bomber pilots.
Emison Aux #2 was apparently built at some point between 1943-44,
as it was not depicted on the 1943 Cincinnati Sectional Charts (according to Chris Kennedy).
The earliest reference to the field which has been located
was in the 1944 US Army/Navy Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Ken Mercer).
It described "Emison Aux #2" Walesboro Auxiliary AAF as having a 4,500' hard-surface runway,
and listed it as an auxiliary to George Field.
The date of closure of Emison by the military has not been determined.
It was probably closed immediately after the end of WW2, like many other small auxiliary airfields.
The Emison airfield was apparently abandoned for some time after WW2, and not reused as a civil field,
as it was not depicted at all on the 1948 Cincinnati Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy).
Chris McMillin recalled, “My father was a pilot flying for Robert Green of Green Construction of Indiana from 1959-64.
Mr. Green lived in Vincennes, but had business all around the Indiana, Illinios and Kentucky areas building highways.
Dad says that the large hangar was constructed or extensively upgraded shortly before he went to work there.
It was built to house a Lockheed Lodestar & Beech 18,
and was upgraded to house the company's Howard Super Ventura & later Howard H-500
(these airplanes were longer than the Lodestar & therefore an extension on the back wall with slots for the twin vertical fins are what I remember most).
The airport was equipped with a private NDB instrument approach, the unit being located on top of the hangar.”
The Emison airfield was was not depicted at all on the 1964 Cincinnati Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy).
"Emision" was depicted as a private airfield on the 1967 Cincinnati Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy),
and described as having 2 paved runways, with the longest being 5,800'.
Chris McMillin recalled, “I last visited the airport in 1973.
The hangar housed the Green company Learjet 25 & Beech D-50 Twin Bonanza.”
The field was depicted as "Green (Pvt)" on the 1976 Cincinnati Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy),
and described as having 2 runways, with the longest being a 5,826' asphalt strip.
Curiously, the 1983 USGS topo map gave two names for the airfield:
"Emison Airport" was listed on the west side, and "Green Airport" was listed on the east side.
The airfield was depicted as having 2 paved runways & parallel taxiways.
Chris McMillin recalled, “Bob Green was killed in an auto accident in 1991
and the company flight department was disbanded & the aircraft sold off, including the Beech, Learjet, and 2 Bell helicopters.
As far as I know the field was occupied by Green until 1991.”
As seen in the 1998 USGS aerial photo, only Runway 18/36 was still maintained.
Much of the other runway & both sets of taxiways had been broken up,
but their outlines were still discernible.
A circa 2001-2005 USGS aerial photo showed that the airfield remained basically in the same condition,
with one maintained runway (the north/south runway),
with portions of the crosswind runway remaining intact, and some portions having been removed.
As of 2003, the airfield was currently used as an active private airfield, Ed-Air Airport, owned by Ed Huddleson.
The Airport / Facility Directory data described the field as having a single 5,800' paved Runway 18/36.
A total of 4 aircraft were listed as being based at the field,
including 2 multi-engine aircraft & 1 helicopter.
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Walesboro Auxiliary Army Airfield #4 (IFR), Walesboro, IN
39.15 North / 85.92 West (South of Indianapolis, IN)
What was then known as "Columbus" Airport,
as depicted on the 1964 Cincinnati Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Photo of the airfield while open has not been located.
This airfield was built during WW2 as one of four satellite airfields for George AAF in Lawrenceville, IL,
which was a training base for light & medium bomber pilots.
It was also known as Walesboro Auxiliary #1, as one of five satellite airfields for Freeman AAF,
which provided advanced flight training for crews of multi-engine aircraft.
The date of construction of Walesboro is unknown.
The 1944 US Army/Navy Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Ken Mercer)
described Walesboro Auxiliary AAF as having a 4,500' hard-surface runway.
The date of closure of Walesboro by the military is unknown.
At some point between 1944-62, Walesboro was reused as a civil airport for the town of Columbus,
and became known as Columbus Municipal Airport.
The 1962 AOPA Airport Directory described Columbus Municipal Airport
as having two 4,500 bituminous runways: 4/22 & 13/31,
and listed the operator as James Owens.
The Aerodromes table on the 1964 Cincinnati Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
described Columbus Municipal Airport in basically the same manner,
but the remarks said, "Caution - use at own risk during inclement weather."
Columbus Municipal was still depicted as an active airport in the 1971 Flight Guide (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
However, Columbus Municipal Airport was apparently closed at some point between 1971-82,
after the much larger Bakalar AFB (a few miles to the northeast)
had become the new Columbus Bakalar Airport.
As seen in the 1998 USGS aerial photo,
the airfield consists of two paved runways (the longest is approximately 4,500').
Several buildings had been constructed over the southeast end of the former Runway 14/32.
Walesboro was still depicted on the 1998 World Aeronautical Chart as an abandoned airfield.
According to former nearby resident Paul Smith,
the Walesboro runways have been reused as an automotive testing ground by Arvin Industries in Columbus, IN.
Both runways have been maintained for automotive testing & are in good condition,
with "X" closed markings painted on them.
The white building in the south is the main plant, with newer buildings north & east.
State Road 11 is about one mile east, and Interstate 65 is about one mile west.
The usage of the runways is also rented to other local industries,
including Cummins engine and others located near the I-65 exit.
A 2006 aerial view by Phil Brooks looking west at the former Walesboro airfield
showed that the former runways & taxiways remained in fine shape.
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Madison Army Airfield / Madison Municipal Airport (MDN), Madison, IN
38.82 North / 85.43 West (Southeast of Indianapolis, IN)
A 1943 photo (courtesy of Ted Schuneman) depicted a B-25 Mitchell bomber
at the Jefferson Proving Ground's Madison AAF being loaded with parachute flares.
This military airfield is located on the grounds of the Jefferson Proving Ground,
which consisted of over 55,000 acres.
According to an Army Corps of Engineers report,
the mission of the Jefferson Proving Ground was to test & evaluate all types of munitions.
The land for the Jefferson Proving Ground was acquired starting in 1940.
Madison Army Airfield was constructed on the proving ground property
so that large bombers could test airborne ordnance.
The first reference to the airfield's construction which has been located
was a January 18, 1941 newspaper article (according to Ted Schuneman),
entitled “Contracts Awarded for 70,000 Bags of Cement.”
A March 9, 1941 newspaper article (according to Ted Schuneman) was entitled “Jefferson Proving Grounds set to Complete by July 1.”
Included in the article was the following list: 14 miles of railroad, 43 miles of roadway, 120 buildings,
airport hangar, waterline from the Ohio River, and assorted other buildings.
The $4,500,000 contract was awarded to J.L. Simmons Company of Indianapolis
and J.C. O'Connor Company of Fort Wayne.
Lt. Col. DeRosey C. Cabell was in command of the project.
A May 10, 1941 newspaper article (according to Ted Schuneman) was entitled “First Powder Tests Monday May 12.”
The grounds were reported as 40% complete & the article included, "An all-purpose airfield, 6 square miles in area,
is included in the military reservation for airplanes used in testing air bomb.
An Army bomber & a pursuit plane will be based at the airfield
and installations at the airport will provide facilities for day & night flying."
Russ & Harrison Company of Indianapolis was listed as having the architectural contract.
A July 12, 1941 newspaper article (according to Ted Schuneman) reported “First concrete was poured today for the airport runways,
a construction project that is expected to be completed about the First of September.
The concrete foundation for the large hangar has been completed & the steel framework is expected to take form soon.”
An October 19, 1941 newspaper article (according to Ted Schuneman) reported “Almost ready for occupancy on the JPG near Madison
is the hangar that will house planes to be used for dropping bombs in the area for test purposes.”
An October 30, 1941 newspaper article (according to Ted Schuneman) reported “Air Corp Detachment Arrives at JPG Field,
Captain Charles E. Walton commanding.”
The earliest photo which has been located of Madison AAF
was a 1943 view of a B-25 Mitchell bomber (courtesy of Ted Schuneman)
being loaded with parachute flares at the Jefferson Proving Ground.
The 1944 US Army/Navy Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Ken Mercer)
described "Madison AAF (Jefferson Proving Ground)" as having a 5,000' hard-surface runway.
"Madison AAF", as depicted on the July 1955 Kanawha River World Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
"Madison AAF" was still depicted as an active military airfield
on the July 1955 Kanawha River World Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy),
and described as having a 5,000' hard-surface runway.
An undated (circa 1950s?) photo (courtesy of Ted Schuneman) showing the original control tower cab on top of the corner of Madison's hangar,
with a variety of artillery pieces in front.
The original caption noted that aircraft from Wright-Patterson AFB used portions of Jefferson for artillery drop tests.
Madison AAF was closed by the military at some point between 1955-60,
and reopened as a civil airport for the town of Madison,
under the name of Madison Municipal Airport.
The 1960 Jeppesen Manual depicted Madison Airport as having four paved runways,
with the longest being the 5,000' Runway 18/36 & Runway 9/27.
Taxiways led to a ramp on the northeast side of the field, with at least one hangar.
The 1962 AOPA Airport Directory described Madison Municipal Airport
as having a total of four cement runways, with the longest being a 5,300' Runway 9/27,
and listed the operator as Don Ledgerwood.
"Madison" was still depicted as a civilian airport
on the 1964 Cincinnati Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The Madison Municipal Airport was apparently closed at some point between 1964-66,
as it was depicted as "Abandoned airport" on the 1966 Cincinnati Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy).
After civil use of the airfield ended, the airfield property returned to the control of the military.
It is not known if the military actually ever used the airfield again, though.
A pre-1988 diagram of the Madison airfield from an environmental impact report (courtesy of Rex Ricks)
depicted the field as having 4 paved runways (with one marked differently than the others) and a single hangar.
According to a 9/20/06 Associated Press article (courtesy of Phil Brooks),
the 90 square-mile Jefferson Proving Ground closed on September 30, 1995.
The Jefferson Proving Ground property is being offered for redevelopment
by the Madison-Jefferson County Industrial Development Corporation.
A 1995 photo by Lou Thole (author of the book "Forgotten Fields of America") of the abandoned hangar at Jefferson.
The hangar still bears the painted lettering over the main door of the "Madison Flying Service",
from the airfield's days as a civil airport.
The former airport administration building is attached to the right side of the hangar.
Contrasting starkly with the previous photo,
this 1995 photo by Lou Thole depicts two former tank turrets (from M-60 tanks?)
mounted on test stands on part of the former airfield pavement.
Their purpose is unknown.
A 1995 photo by Lou Thole (author of the book "Forgotten Fields of America") of a former runway at Jefferson.
The purpose of the sheds in unknown.
An October 2004 photo by Phil Brooks of the former Madison Flying Service hangar, which is prepared for reuse to store grain.
An October 2004 photo by Phil Brooks of what appears to be the former operations office in the Madison hangar.
An October 2004 photo by Phil Brooks looking south along the ramp, from the roof of the abandoned hangar.
According to a 9/20/06 Associated Press article entitled “FEMA to store trailers in Indiana” (courtesy of Phil Brooks),
“A shuttered firing range has become a place to store mobile homes & trailers
used to shelter those left homeless after a disaster - the first in the Midwest.
The Federal Emergency Management last week signed a 2-year agreement
to set up the storage at the former Jefferson Proving Ground airport
and began placing hundreds of mobile homes on the southeastern Indiana property.
The equipment includes some mobile homes & trailers
used to house people along the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina last year.
FEMA site director Gary Collins said the storage area is the first of its kind in the Midwest.
FEMA believes the facility on an abandoned runway will be more reliable than other locations.
James McIntyre, a spokesman from FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C.,
said the agency has signed a 2-year agreement with state & local officials to stay in Madison.
McIntyre said he did not did not know how much FEMA paid for the land.
Dean Ford, who owns most of the former proving ground south of the Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge,
would not divulge any details on payment.”
An artistic 2008 shot by Ted Schuneman of the runway conditions at Madison.
Ted Schuneman reported, “The hangar at the former Madison AAF was to me the quintessential example
of what I had always thought a 1940s era hangar should be.
When I realized it was not far off of US Route 50 I decided to make a road trip of it
since I enjoy traveling across country on state highways.
I live in Fairfax Station, VA not far from Route 50 so it was a great weekend trip.
My wife thought I was crazy to drive all that way just to see what she thought was nothing but an old abandoned building.
When I got to the airfield they were working to renovate the hangar
and they have replaced all of the office windows & the 2 hangar doors.
It is now owned by AEP which is the area power company.
It appears they will be using the hangar for storage of large generators & parts.”
A 2008 photo by Ted Schuneman of Madison's hangar office,
showing how much the building has been restored compared to the 2004 photo.
A 2008 photo by Ted Schuneman of the front of the Madison's hangar,
showing the “Madison Flying Service, Piper Aircraft” still visible.
Note the bricked-up hangar door opening, though.
A 2008 photo by Ted Schuneman looking south along Madison's former Runway 18, showing the closed “X” symbol still visible.
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