Peoria Station

Previously, we explored not only air service changes at the Peoria Municipal Airport during 1949, but also problems with mining subsidence which threatened the airfield's future.   (Originally posted December 24, 2015) In February 1950, the U. S. Air Force informed the Park Board that if its demands for improved facilities - including a 7,000-foot runway - were not met, the 169th Air National Guard unit would have to relocate to another city. The same month, a second fissure was discovered on both ANG and adjoining private property after 14 rooms mined by Edward Mohn & Sons had collapsed. This diagram, which appeared in the Peoria Star  on May 25, 1950, shows the problem areas. Airport officials agreed that the solution was to either buy out the Mohn's mineral rights or condemn the property. Lack of adequate sources of funding proved a barrier to either course. A push to create an airport authority gained support. With a goal to hold a public vote by May 31, 1950...

In the prior installment, we reviewed and analyzed events of 1948. Now we shift to 1949. Let’s start with air service changes. AMERICAN AIRLINES On February 1, a 40-seat Convair 240, christened Flagship Peoria the same day, replaced a 21-seat DC-3 on the remaining northbound and southbound flights which stopped at Peoria. It appears, however, that those flights which American Airlines dropped on November 1, 1948 never returning in the spring as promised. CHICAGO & SOUTHERN AIR LINES The Civil Aeronautics Board conducted hearings April 20 on this carrier’s bid to eliminate Peoria from its Chicago-New Orleans route. Officials testified that the service was unnecessary, and that the Peoria stop was unprofitable. In mid-September, the CAB examiner recommended allowing the airline to end service. A decision to allow the change was made on October 27, an service to Peoria ended effective December 26. EASTERN AIR LINES The Peoria Journal noted March 10 that service to ...