Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields:
Ohio: Northeast Cleveland area
© 2002, © 2006 by Paul Freeman. Revised 9/13/06.
Casement Airport (revised 5/29/06) - Chardon Airfield (revised 5/29/06)
Martin Factory Airfield / Great Lakes Aircraft Company Airfield (revised 9/13/06)
Willoughby Field / Euclid Avenue Airport / Cook Cleland Airport (revised 8/10/06)
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Martin Factory Airfield / Great Lakes Aircraft Company Airfield, Cleveland, OH
41.56 North / 81.56 West (Northeast of Downtown Cleveland, OH)
The Martin Factory Airfield, as depicted on the 1929 Airway Map (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
According to Tom Beamer, “In January 1918 Glenn L. Martin received a contract for a twin-engine biplane bomber.
Martin had financial backers in Cleveland, and built a 61,000 square foot plant with adjoining flight test field.
Lawrence Bell was the factory manager & was in charge of supervising plant construction.
Donald Douglas was responsible for design of the bomber.
The first plane (GMB/MB-1) was completed by September of 1918.”
Tom continued, “By 1928 Martin realized that the future was in all metal aircraft & sold the Cleveland plant to Detroit Aircraft
so he could build a new plant optimized for metal construction in a warmer location (Baltimore, MD)
that was better suited for flight testing flying boats year-round.
The Cleveland subsidiary of Detroit Aircraft was named Great Lakes Aircraft
and the first product was the TG-1 torpedo bomber biplane.
The TG-1 was a re-designation of the last aircraft Martin built for the Navy in Cleveland, the T4M-1.
In 1929 Great Lakes produced the famous Sport Trainer - the plane that established their reputation.”
The earliest depiction which has been located of the Martin Factory Airfield
was on the 1929 Airway Map (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The January 1936 Civil Aeronautics Administration Airport Directory (courtesy of Tom Beamer)
described the Great Lakes Aircraft Corporation Field as a commercial field.
It was said to be an L-shaped field, with two runways: 1,900' northeast/southwest & 1,500' northwest/southeast.
According to Tom Beamer, “Unfortunately the stock market crash & depression spelled an early end to Great Lakes.
By 1936 the doors were closed, and the plant up for sale in 1937.”
A 1937 advertisement for the property (courtesy of Tom Beamer)
described the site as totaling 70 acres, including 100,000 square feet of buildings.
The Great Lakes Airfield was no longer listed at all
in The Airport Directory Company's 1937 Airports Directory (according to Tom Beamer).
The 1996 USGS topo map showed that another industrial building
had been constructed at some point on the site of the former airfield.
The 2000 USGS aerial photo was annotated by Tom Beamer to show the former Martin factory building & the location of its airfield.
A circa 2006 aerial photo looking east at the former Martin aircraft factory building.
The site of the former Martin Factory Airfield is located south of the intersection of St. Clair Avenue & East 168th Street.
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Willoughby Field / Euclid Avenue Airport / Cook Cleland Airport, Willoughby, OH
41.63 North / 81.43 West (Northeast of Cleveland, OH)
An aerial view of the Euclid Avenue Airport
from The Airport Directory Company's 1937 Airports Directory (courtesy of Bob Rambo).
This small airport on the northeast side of Cleveland was evidently established at some point between 1929-33,
as it was not yet depicted on the 1929 Airway Map (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The earliest reference which has been located to the field
was in The Airport Directory Company's 1933 Airports Directory (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
It described “Willoughby Field” as a commercial airport, located 1 mile west of Willoughby.
The field was said to consist of a 100-acre rectangular sod field, on which were two runways:
2,300' northeast/southwest & 2,000' northwest/southeast.
At some point between 1933-34, the field was evidently renamed “Euclid Avenue Airport”,
as that is how it was listed in the Department of Commerce's 1934 Airport Directory (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The field was said to consist of a rectangular sod field, on which were three runways,
with the longest being the 2,300' northeast/southwest strip.
A hangar was said to have “Euclid Avenue Airport” painted on the roof.
The earliest depiction of Willoughby Field which has been located
was an aerial photo in The Airport Directory Company's 1937 Airports Directory (courtesy of Bob Rambo).
It described Euclid Avenue as a commercial airport, consisting of a rectangular sod field.
The field was said to have 3 runways, with the longest being the 3,000' north-northeast/south-southwest strip.
A single hangar was depicted on the southwest side of the field,
which was said to have "Euclid Avenue Air Service" on the roof.
The earliest chart depiction which has been located of the Euclid Avenue Airport
was on the February 1941 Cleveland Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The April 1944 US Army/Navy Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Ken Mercer)
described the Euclid Avenue Airport as having a 2,300' unpaved runway.
The Haire Publishing Company's 1945 Airport Directory (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
described Euclid Avenue as a “class 2” airport, owned by A. T. Knudson, and operated & managed by George Latimer.
The field was said to have three sod runways,
with the longest being a 2,600' northeast/southwest strip.
It was also said to have an 80' x 60' hangar & an office.
A 1940s aerial view by Bud Ricketts of Cook Cleland's Airport, taken on approach to the north runway.
The two PBY Catalinas are visible behind the hangar, and an FG-1 Corsair is parked in front of the hangar.
After WW2, Cleveland native Cook Cleland returned from a career as a Navy combat pilot & test pilot,
and he acquired the small airport, which he renamed "Cook Cleland's Euclid Avenue Airport".
He was joined by Dick Becker, who flew PBY’s & PBM’s in the South Pacific as a Navy enlisted pilot.
As a fixed-base operator, he offered flying lessons, banner towing and air charters.
Wanting to expand his air charter service, Cook purchased three surplus PBY Catalina Flying Boats;
he sold one at the point of purchase & with Becker’s help he brought the two into Euclid Road airport -
quite to bring such a large amphibian into such a small grass runway.
To be certified for commercial use, the FAA required the following modifications to the Catalinas:
aluminum firewalls had to be replaced with stainless steel, fabric on 2/3 of the wing had to be replaced with metal,
and controls mounted in the pylon had to be moved to the cockpit.
When these modifications were completed, a second PBY was sold.
Work to convert the final plane for the new service which was to be called "Cook Cleland’s Catalina Airways",
and designed to carry sportsmen to Kodiak Alaska for hunting and fishing trips began in earnest.
The rear blister turrets were removed & covered over.
The interior was modified, but not elaborate;
the flying boat was completely painted, cream on top with a deep green on the bottom separated by a metallic bronze feature stripe.
A 1940s photo by Bud Ricketts of the two PBY Calalinas shortly after they arrived.
Note the hi-tension towers in the background at the North end of the field.
A 1940s photo by Bud Ricketts of one of Cook's two banner-towing Wacos, with one of the modified PBYs & the hangar in the background.
In 1946 Cook entered the Cleveland National Air Races,
with the help of some funding from Thompson Products employees with whom he had worked.
His dream was winning the Thompson Trophy Race.
Cook purchased one of the first surplus Corsairs; a FG-1D built by Goodyear in Akron, OH.
He entered ex-Navy Corsairs in all four post-war races, realizing his dream twice.
About the time the PBY was finished, the FAA set the gross weight at 27,000 lbs.,
while the military normally flew them at 33,000 lbs.
This weight restriction would allow for only two pilots & fuel for a non-stop trip to Alaska.
Cook, now back on active duty, decided to ask Becker to sell the PBY.
Soon after advertising the PBY for sale, a representative from an air charter service in Trinidad arrived,
looking for a replacement of a PBY that was lost in a recent hurricane.
The purchase was completed & the ferry pilot made a fuel stop in Cuba.
On takeoff, someone forgot to secure the tunnel hatch
and once on the step the hull began to fill with water & the craft sank in deep water.
The field was labeled “Cook Cleland” on the January 1949 Cleveland Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Keith Alves recalled, “I was raised next to Cook Cleland's Euclid Ave Airport.
Winning the 1949 Thompson Trophy Race was one of the high points in Cook Cleland's aviation career.
During this time the Euclid Avenue Airport was very busy.
Lot's of folks were there looking, riding, etc.
And don't forget, the GI bill was making business.”
An undated photo (courtesy of Keith Alves) of the Estrellita racer, which crashed at Cook Cleland Airport.
Keith Alves recalled, “Since the 1950 air races were relocated to Detroit,
Cook decided to have an air show at Euclid Avenue Airport.
It was held on Labor Day weekend.
This event was marred by the crash of a racer named 'Estrellita', flown by its new owner Chester Black.
The aircraft was making a high speed pass from East to West when it lost a wing (right over my head).
The aircraft snapped into the ground in front of the spectators.”
An undated photo (courtesy of Keith Alves) of the Goodyear F2G-1 Corsair racer #57.
According to Keith, “The last day this aircraft flew was at Euclid Ave Airport that weekend in 1950.
The aircraft was left behind at the airport when Cook was recalled.
It sat there long after the airport was gone.
Now [2006] the same aircraft is owned & operated by Bob Odegaard, Kindred, ND.”
Keith Alves recalled, “The postwar general aviation 'bust' was starting to affect everyone in the business,
so things started to slow down.
Also around this time, things were starting to boil in Korea,
and Cook found himself recalled to active duty back into the Navy.
Best I can figure that was 1950.
Cook gave up his lease & went to war.
The owners of the field released the airport to Frank Zanzo, who had previously operated the Willoughby Airport.
The field closed in the latter part of 1952
and the land along Bidler Road (the east boundary road) was sold to small industry type shops.”
Even though the airport was closed in 1952,
it continued to be depicted on aeronautical charts for at least 2 more years.
It was depicted as “Euclid Avenue” Airport
on the June 1953 Cleveland Local Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
According to Keith Alves (retired FAA controller / Airspace Specialist from the Cleveland area),
“The reason the airport was charted years after it closed was not uncommon in those days.
There was no notification made to the chart-makers.
If there had been a published approach into the airport the closure would have been listed right away.”
The last chart depiction which has been located of the Euclid Avenue Airport as an active airfield
was on the January 1954 Cleveland Local Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
It depicted the field as having a 2,500' unpaved runway.
The Euclid Avenue Airport was no longer depicted at all
on the January 1955 Cleveland Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
A recent (circa 1990s?) photo by Bob Roskuski of the Euclid Avenue hangar as it still stands.
The 2000 USGS aerial photo shows that the majority of the site of the Euclid Avenue Airport has been extensively redeveloped.
The sole remaining trace – the hangar – sits at the bottom-left of the photo.
A circa 2001-2005 aerial view looking west shows that the former hangar
still remains standing at the site of the Euclid Avenue Airport after more than 60 years.
The site of the former Euclid Avenue Airport is located northeast Euclid Avenue & 355th Street.
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Casement Airport (PVZ), Painesville, OH
41.73 North / 81.22 West (Northeast of Cleveland, OH)
Casement Airport, as depicted on the 1963 Cleveland Local Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Mike Keefe).
This former small general aviation airport was evidently built at some point between 1960-62,
as it was not depicted on the 1960 Cleveland Local Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Mike Keefe).
The earliest reference to the Casement Airport which has been located
was in the 1962 AOPA Airport Directory,
which described Casement Airport as having a 3,200' gravel Runway 13/31 & a 2,200' Runway 9/27.
The primary runway at Casement was apparently paved within the next year,
as the 1963 Cleveland Local Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Mike Keefe)
described Casement as having two runways,
with the longest being a 3,200' bituminous strip.
David Tuuri recalled, "My first solo flight was from Casement in July 1963.
My flight instructor began teaching students in his Piper Super Cruiser on the Sidley farm
and Mr. Sidley asked him to go to work for him.
Larry Wilson WAS Casement Airport.
Wolfgang Langewiesche (Stick & Rudder) wrote an article appearing in Readers Digest
about the commuter service Larry set up using Cessna 172's to ferry passengers to & from Cleveland Hopkins Airport
because it was one of the first if not THE first such service in existence.
My first tailwheel experience was on the east/west grass runway."
The 1966 OH Airport Directory (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
depicted Casement Airport as having a total of five hangars on the west side of the field.
The manager was listed as Thomas Jenkins,
and the operator was listed as Casement Aviation, Inc.
The 1972 Flight Guide (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
showed that Casement's paved Runway 12/30 had been somewhat lengthened to 3,800',
and the 2,200' unpaved Runway 9/27 was still open.
By 1982 the crosswind runway had been closed,
as the 1982 AOPA Airport Directory (courtesy of Ed Drury)
described the field as having a single 3,800' asphalt Runway 12/30.
The Casement Airport was owned by R. W. Sidley, Inc.
Casement Airport, as depicted in the 1985 Flight Guide (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The 2000 USGS aerial photo was apparently taken in the last year of the life of Casement Airport.
It did not appear to be a very healthy airport at that point,
as a total of only 4 light aircraft were visible outside in the photo.
There were also a total of three rows of T-hangars just south of the western end of the runway,
as well as at least one somewhat larger Quonset-hut style hangar.
The Casement Airport apparently closed (for reasons unknown) in the year 2000,
as it was not listed among active airfields in the 2000 AOPA Airport Directory.
In the circa-2001 aerial photo,
the runway had been marked with closed "X" symbols,
and all of the planes were gone.
A sad circa 2001-2005 aerial view looking west at the site of Casement Airport
showed that the hangars & runway still remained,
but construction was already evident on the site.
Casement Airport is located southeast of the intersection of Route 2 & Mantle Road.
Thanks to Chris Kennedy for pointing out this airfield.
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Chardon Airfield (4D6), Chardon, OH
41.54 North / 81.2 West (East of Cleveland, OH)
Chardon Airport, as depicted on the 1953 Flight Chart (courtesy of Scott O'Donnell).
Photo of the airport while open has not been located.
The date of construction of Chardon Airfield is unknown.
The earliest depiction of Chardon Airfield which has been located
was on the 1943 Cleveland Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
However, this was apparently in a somewhat different location than the eventual location of the field,
as the 1943 Sectional depicted Chardon Airfield to the southeast of the town of Chardon
(compared to the southwest of the town, as depicted on later charts).
Chardon was described as having a 2,200 unpaved runway
on the 1949 Cleveland Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy).
According to Keith Alves, the “Block hangar at Chardon... came from Cleveland Airport.
But, another hangar was moved at the same time to the sand pit north of the airport.
The owner of the sand pit also owned the airport at that time.
During the 1950-1960's, the Ohio National Guard had their L-19s based there in the block hangar.”
The 1962 AOPA Airport Directory described Chardon as having three sod runways:
2,400' Runway 18/36, 2,000' Runway 13/31, and 1,800' Runway 5/23.
The operator was listed as Dethloff Flying Service.
Chardon Airport, as depicted on the 1963 Cleveland Local Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Mike Keefe).
Chardon Airport, as depicted in the 1972 Flight Guide (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Hans Friedebach recalled, “Flying in the Cleveland area in the 1970s & 1980s
I was intrigued by the obvious mismatch of the Chardon airfield & its huge hangar.
Until one day the puzzle was solved when I came across an old issue of Fortune Magazine (circa 1930's).
I saw a display ad with line drawings of the Chardon hangar by the construction company.
This explained its origin.”
Bill Meyer reported in 2003, "I had two airplanes (in succession) that I based at Chardon.
The building described & pictured however was not really part
of the airport operation during the time I flew there (1975-81).
The property was owned by Walter Best.
He quarried the land to the north of the airport
and kept two airplanes in that hangar, one of which was a Helio Courier.
It was also used at that time for some kind of non-aviation manufacturing.
There was an old wood hangar/office to the North of that building which housed Geauga Air.
It was last operated by Richard Gilmore who was a flight instructor and A & P [mechanic].
There were also two rows of small T hangars,
one was on the East edge of the field & one on the North edge.
They were not large enough for a C-172. I did keep my Maule in one though.
They were in very bad repair.
Night landings were accomplished with advance notice
when Dick Gilmore would place old smudge pots along the edge of the North/South runway.
Pretty dicey flying on a soft-field in a rural area. Fun airport though."
In the 1982 AOPA Airport Directory (courtesy of Ed Drury),
the airfield configuration remained much the same,
but the operator was listed as Geauga Air Service.
A note was included: "Glider operations (Apr-Dec). Gliders & towplanes land downwind off-runways."
A 1987 photo by John Baker of his Stinson 108-3 which he had flown into Chardon from Maryland.
"The small building that you see behind my plane was used as a clubhouse for the glider group based there.
This ramshackle building was to the north of the large hangar shown in the photo.
There was a parking area for cars just north of the clubhouse."
John Baker recalled of Chardon, "I spent some time there in the mid 1980's
visiting a friend who was a member of the Cleveland Soaring Society that operated out of the field.
I flew my Stinson 108-3 there from Maryland in 1987,
arriving on 7/30/87 & departing on 8/6/87.
So the field was still in operation in 1987."
"The primary runway in use at that time was the north/south runway.
This runway ran parallel to the road, which was just a few hundred feet to the east.
There was a large tree at the north end of the runway.
My friend had an Aeronca 11AC Chief with a sickly Continental A-65 that would barely clear that tree on takeoff.
With both of us in the Aeronca, it was necessary to go around the tree when taking off.
The Aeronca was kept in one of the dilapidated hangars near the north edge of the field.
During my 1987 visit, I got to take a few flights in the gliders based there
and also flew in a visiting Cessna C-34 Airmaster."
Chardon Airport apparently closed at some point between 1987-94,
as it was simply labeled "Landing Strip" on the 1994 USGS topo map,
which typically indicates that the field was no longer open as an operational airport.
In the 1994 USGS aerial photo, all three of the grass runways still existed in very good condition,
with closed runway "X" markings still visible on two of them.
The front of the hangar at Chardon Airfield. Photo by Jonathan Westerling, 1995.
The rear of the hangar at Chardon Airfield. Photo by Jonathan Westerling, 1995.
A 1995 photo by Jonathan Westerling of an elaborate & beautiful sandstone engraving
which remains above the entrance to the front of the hangar at Chardon Airfield.
The abandoned Chardon airfield was visited by Jonathan Westerling in 1995.
He reports, "There had been no development on the airfield,
though the turf runways have grown up with shrubs & small trees.
The only surviving building is the main hangar.
An impressive stone building which now functions as a warehouse for a German manufacturing firm
(complete with a German flag flying atop the flagpole out front!).
This must have been a charming airport in its day."
The airfield was not depicted at all (even as an abandoned airfield) on 1998 aeronautical charts.
Bill Meyer recalled in 2003, "Mr. Best died 10-15 years ago
and the airport property is now being quarried for sand by the Best Stone Company.
Flying over it now, you can still make out the remains of the runways."
Tom Beamer reported in 2003,
"I understand the hangar was moved to Chardon from CLE/Hopkins."
According to Hans Friedebach, “The hangar at Chardon...
was originally built for United & at the time of its construction was billed as the largest clear-span hangar in the country.”
A circa 2001-2005 aerial view looking west at the hangar & other building which remain on the site of Chardron Airfield.
The majority of the western side of the former runway has been replaced by a sand quarry.
Chardon Airfield is located northwest of the intersection of Route 322 & Route 44.
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