One Of The Oldest Airports In The U.S., Stinson Municipal In Texas Is Now 105 Years Old
By Katie Lawrence|Published January 29, 2020
×
Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
Texas is the proud home of the second-oldest general aviation airport in continuous operation in the entire U.S. Stinson Municipal Airport has been around for more than 100 years, and its legacy only grows stronger as time passes.
It all started in 1915 when three siblings created the Stinson School of Flying. Many students went through the academy until World War 1, which banned civilian piloting.
Over the years, Stinson has been everything from a commercial airport to an Air Force training base. Its status was only downgraded to municipal after the Second World War when the San Antonio International Airport was constructed.
The building looks much different than it did a century ago — in fact, 24,000 square feet of space has been added. Despite the physical changes, we must not forget what lies at the heart of the airport: a family whose passion for planes knows no bounds.
Today, the airport boasts three flight schools, police and state aviation units, the Texas Air Museum, and several other facilities. Whether you're here to fly or just visit, it's truly an unforgettable experience.
Regular events, such as movie nights and a July 4th celebration, encourage the public to come out and experience history. You can also marvel at planes in the airfield!
Just in case you needed another reason to visit, the airport has a full-service barbecue restaurant! The Big Bib slow-cooks its meat for 14 hours over aged oak and mesquite woods, making for a dining experience unlike any other. Ribs, brisket, pulled pork, jalapeno sausage, and turkey legs are just a few of the menu items.