Title:
Early Days at Groton's Trumball Airport
Land was formerly the Plant Estate
Land was formerly the Plant Estate
Author:
Carol W. Kimball
Subjects:
Groton's Trumbull Airport
Plant Estate
Plant Estate
Object ID:
Scr-026-087
Object Name:
Scrapbook
Category:
8: Communication Artifact
Subcategory:
Documentary Artifact
Publisher:
The Day
Publication Place:
New London
Pubication Date:
03/17/1988
Collection:
Indian and Colonial Scrapbook
Summary:
In March 1928 the State of Connecticut took an option on 275 acres in Groton, part of the Morton F. Plant estate known as Branford Farms. The land was graded and two sod runways were built for the Connecticut National Guard Air Squadron, the 43rd Division with 9 planes. Governor John H. Trumball arrived on July 20, flying in on his 0-17 plane from Plainville. While circling to land he collided with another plane. Trumball was uninjured but his passenger went to Lawrence hospital in New London. Two weeks later, Broadway star Fred Stone, crashed his plane 1/2 mile from the airport on Winkler's Farm. In April of 1929, the Governor recommended that the state acquire the Groton site, and $125,000 was voted for its purchase and named for Governor Trumbull.
People:
Trumbull, John H.
Stone, Fred
Stone, Fred
Search Terms:
Branford Farms
Winkler Farm
Winkler Farm