The History Of The Abandoned Airport In Virginia Is Eerily Fascinating
By Beth|Published May 25, 2023
×
Beth
Author
A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Charlottesville. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.
Have you ever heard of the Falls Church Airpark? A once-operational and eventually abandoned airport in Virginia, this unique landmark has an eerily fascinating history. There are no remnants of the airport today; instead, you’ll find a shopping center and apartment buildings where this former airport once stood. Yet its history is undeniably fascinating, and a little eerie. Here’s more on the history of the abandoned airport in Virginia.
From 1945 until 1961, there was a small airport located in Fairfax County, Virginia, under the name of the Falls Church Airpark.
The facility could be found on a parcel of land owned by Eakin Properties, and it was mainly used for civil defense and general aviation purposes. At the time, the area of land was known as "Eisenhower's Farm."
The Commonwealth of Virginia deemed the runway to be sub-par in a 1949 report, which described it as "...poorly graded and hazardous after rains." In 1951, a smaller crosswind airstrip was added.
In July of 1960, Eakin Properties was named in a grand jury indictment stating that the airpark was considered a public nuisance. Neighbors claimed that in addition to the potential accidents, the planes taking off caused too much dust pollution in the air.
Eventually, Eakin obtained permission to develop the airport into a shopping center, which it remains today.
Photographed above is Graham Park Plaza, the location of the former airport.
Did you know about the history of the Falls Church Airpark? Are you fascinated by abandoned places in Virginia? Let us know in the comments below — we would love to hear from you!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
