Bayport Aerodrome
Photo courtesy of Frank Harris!
Here’s a detailed history of Bayport Aerodrome:
🛫 Origins & Establishment (1945–1953)
October 1945: The aerodrome began as Davis Field, carved out of a Bayport cornfield owned by farmer Curtis Davis. His son—a WWII Civil Air Patrol pilot—initiated operations post-war. [en.wikipedia.org], [everything...ined.today]
Initially a commercial airport and flight school, it reflected the post-WWII boom in general aviation.
Change of Ownership: Edwards Airport (1953–1970s)
1953: Curtis Davis sold the field to George Edwards, former operator of a flight school at Flushing Airport in Queens. The facility was renamed Edwards Airport. [en.wikipedia.org], [everything...ined.today]
Under Edwards, the field supported roughly 70 planes, flight instruction, and repairs—an accessible “blue-collar airport”. [untappedcities.com], [everything...ined.today]
Threat & Preservation Efforts (1970s)
Early 1970s: Edwards agreed to sell the property to developers planning to build ~138 homes and a waste-disposal plant. [untappedcities.com], [everything...ined.today], [bayportaer...ociety.com]
In 1972, local pilots, lease-holders, antique-airplane enthusiasts (led by John G. Rae), and residents formed the Bayport Aerodrome Society (BAS) to resist development. [bayportaer...ociety.com], [bayportaer...ociety.com], [milsurpia.com]
BAS’s legal and community action prompted the Town of Islip to get involved.
Town of Islip Acquisition & Aerodrome Dedication (1978–1980)
1978: The Town of Islip purchased the property, avoiding its conversion. [bayportaer...ociety.com], [everything...ined.today], [bayportaer...ociety.com]
1980: The airport was officially renamed Bayport Aerodrome, transitioning into a publicly owned turf airfield. [everything...ined.today], [bayportaer...ociety.com]
Restoration & Expansion (1980s–Present)
1985: BAS secured a lease and constructed 24 hangars dedicated to preserving vintage aircraft. [bayportaer...ociety.com], [everything...ined.today]
Since then, BAS has maintained the site as a living aviation museum, showcasing aircraft built pre‑1955. The public can view and fly these historic planes. [bayportaer...ociety.com], [untappedcities.com], [Bayport Ae...rome - 23N], [bayportaer...ociety.com]
BAS also organizes youth flight education, open‑hangar events, and vintage aircraft rides with certified flight instructors. [bayportaer...ociety.com], [bas.clubexpress.com]
Recognition & Community Role
January 22, 2008: Added to the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district, acknowledging its significance with location reference #07001456. [everything...ined.today], [airports-w...ldwide.com]
It’s now the last public turf airfield on Long Island, carrying on the spirit of early aviation. [metroairportnews.com], [metroairportnews.com]
In 2016, it even featured in an episode of The Americans, used for a nighttime vintage aircraft flight scene. [untappedcities.com]
BAS's ongoing efforts are recognized as a unique example of historic-airfield preservation. [milsurpia.com]
📍 Overview Timeline
1945 Established as Davis Field on Curtis Davis's cornfield
1953 Sold to George Edwards → became Edwards Airport
1972 Bayport Aerodrome Society (BAS) founded to oppose development
1978 Town of Islip purchased the field
1980 Renamed Bayport Aerodrome
1985 24 hangars built under BAS lease
2008 Added to National Register of Historic Places
Bayport Aerodrome remains a living tribute to Long Island’s golden era of grass-runway aviation—actively preserving vintage aircraft, educating future generations, and fostering community engagement.
