Until I came across this photo, I didn’t even know that Alhambra (roughly 7 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles) ever had an airport. But here we have a photo of the dedication ceremony that took place on April 17, 1930 when the airport terminal was covered in patriotic bunting. It was built by the airline known then as Western Air Express, which eventually became Western Airlines before it merged with Delta in 1987. But back in 1930, it was only 4 years old and still evolving from being a mail carrier. As we can see from this photo, the day attracted a sizeable crowd, but I wonder if maybe seeing the Good Year blimp up close might have a draw. It would have been for me.
David G. says: “In 1946 Harlow Aircraft Company sold the airport to real estate developers, the north part of the site is now commercial property and the remaining is houses. The Airport was located at what is now Valley Boulevard to the north, New Ave to the east, Almansor Street to the west and the Interstate 10 to the south.”
Western Air Express route map 1926-1930:
This photo is part of a much larger panoramic. Click on the image below for a better view and then click on it again for an even larger version:
Not only the blimp, there appears to be an unusual flying boat on the right hand side. Unlike the famous Clipper, it appears to have it’s engines alongside the fuselage. Any airplane buffs out there?
Fokker (America) F-32, four-engine land-based air transport. Twinned, twin-engines set up back-to-back. Pratt & Whitney Wasp powered at first. Same “Underpowered” problem encountered by many early attempts at big/bigger/biggest in aviation. Thirty two sitting passengers or sixteen in sleeper configuration. [ Another way of referring to it might be Atlantic-Fokker Model 12? The model 10 had been a tri-motor.]
The additional half view of a plane to extreme right might be a Lockheed Vega with a large engine cowling.
I think that airliner on the right is a Fokker F-32, one of just ten built. The Wikipedia entry has a nice large photo of it. According to the article Western Air Express bought two of them. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fokker_F-32
Yes, I do believe you’re right. The F-32 wasn’t a great success and WA were lumbered with two of them.
Sadly, the site of the entire airport was sold in 1946 and it was demolished for commercial and residential development.
Wow! Thank you, guys! Lots of knowledge out there. Interesting she could accommodate a sleeping configuration. I used to love to fly the Mother Goose to Catalina, as well as the little Grumman Geese. According to Wikipedia the Mother Goose, after being beached in the Virgin Islands, was restored and is now on display at the New England Air Museum. I’m beginning to feel like museum piece myself.
Martin, I also did not know Alhambra had a terminal and airfield. I just learned a few years back that Glendale had the biggest one in LA at one point. Grand Central Airport, and I grew up in Burbank. I believe the terminal building is still there. Very interesting YouTube video on it.
Does anyone out there remember the ads for Western Airlines with the owl saying it was (The Only Way To Fly) I think he also was drinking a martini as I recall. It was a great ad and so much more clever than the stupid ads we see on TV now days.
I remembered the slogan you mentioned but could not remember commercial. I went to youtube and watched and oh ya I remember that. Don’t know if that is an owl? But the voice sounds the same as the lollipop owl commercial. They actually show that one on tv today.
I love that lollipop commercial Mark. I use to love the Western Airline commercial as a kid but I am not sure now that it was an owl. Maybe someone else will remember and let us know.
I remember them well! He reclined against the tail with a pillow at his back.
That is the one Paula. It was a nice short and clever commercial. Unlike today’s commercials.
I believe that Western Airlines actually merged with Delta Airlines inn1987 rather than with TWA. The photo of the Alhambra Airport is quite Spectacular!
You’re quite right, Clint. I should have know that as I know someone who used to fly for WA and now flies for DL. I’ve corrected the text. Thanks much!
I always enjoyed flying on Western. It was a top notch airline in day.
Some history: http://www.airfields-freeman.com/CA/Airfields_CA_LA_E.htm#alhambra