Alan B. Crawford

Recently, I was provided with an aerial photo of the old airport on Lakeside Road from the 1940’s. Others have also contacted me wishing to learn more about this old air strip and its history, so here’s a bit of history and some warm memories.

After WW II, many of our returning veterans had learned to fly and yearned to continue soaring through the skies. There were a number of small airports in our Town. Also, this hobby, or sport, became a passion for many of our Town residents, including my Dad.

Over on Lakeside Road, near the intersection with Union Avenue, was the Stateside Airport, its original name, with Bill Stanton as owner, which later became known as Jockers’ Airport when Gustave J. Jockers (Gus) took over. It was also referred to as the Orange Lake Airport at times.

Many of the smaller planes used by the military became available at reasonable prices and could be seen around our community, at various small air strips, which were beginning to attract attention and expand. Gus had a new 1947 Stinson Voyager, which could host four passengers. Walt Ferguson, a cousin, treated two teenagers, my Uncle Bill Dolphin and George Ferguson, Walt’s younger brother, to a flight over at Stateside Airways to view the majesty of our Town and the Hudson Valley from overhead, back in the mid 1940’s. I recently chatted with George who still has great memories of this adventure.

This small field also become the home of the Orange Lake Flying Club, organized by local community members who shared the love of this pursuit, and was incorporated on October 27, 1947. The original five members were from Newburgh and were Harold Kieley (88 Broadway), Frederic Ward (213 Washington Street), Ralph Widmer (225 First Street), LeGrand W. Pellett (350 Third Street), and Marie Cote (273 Liberty Street). The corporation succeeded, or formalized, the original association of people with the same name.

Gus was an instructor and instrumental in creating a spark in some who desired to learn how to reach the clouds, continuing on to achieve their own pilot’s license. The Orange Lake Flying Club also hosted clambakes and events which promoted the sport where people interested in flying could gather and observe landings and take offs, demonstrations of flying maneuvers, and short rides. Flying was just coming into its own at this time.

Lonnie Benedict, who was also a member and treasurer with this club, was a good friend with my Dad and family, took me for my first ride in his Aeronca Chief in 1960. I snapped a photo of this “historic” event, which has turned out to possibly be the only photo of Lonnie’s plane. The last I heard it was still flying over at the Orange County Airport. Dad’s plane, a Luscombe, was purchased years ago by George Ferguson.

The old army glider mentioned in one of the newspaper ads was something myself and other kids in the neighborhood climbed on, pretending and playing we were pilots and flying through the heavens. During these times, the cost was reasonable to take lessons. Six of my high school graduating class were fortunate to have this opportunity. One of us, if I remember correctly, actually soloed on five or six aircraft when he turned 16. The irony is he didn’t even have a driver’s license yet. And another classmate has the dubious honor of being the first of us to “crash” one. Nothing serious, more damaged pride than anything. Remember, we were landing on grass strips, not pavement.

For the record, with all these people reaching up for the stars, 1947 was probably the first year the term UFO became into common use. Go figure.

So, for those of you who were able to leave the earth behind, perhaps even at this strip, we were blessed. And to Gus’s son, Gus “Jr”, who was a year older than me, I hope you’re up there in the heavens looking down and smiling. Fond memories my friend.