ADIRONDACK REGIONAL AIRPORT HISTORY

An Airport is Born

In the autumn of 1940, a group of local men sat around a table poring over a map of the Saranac Lake region. That meeting was the genesis of the Saranac Lake Airport, destined to play an important part in the future development of the Adirondaks. These men, members of the then existing Saranac Lake Planning Board, were on quest for a suitable location for an airport - not a likely possiblity it was thought, because of the mountainous nature of the region. To the surprise of all concerned, the topographical map disclosed a plateau large enough for airport purposes within a few miles of Saranac Lake Village.

The Planning Board's search for an airport site had been prompted by an announcement from Washington, DC that the Congress had appropriated funds for the building of a system of airports throughout the country. There was among other problems, however, one restriction. The land for an airport site, to be acceptable to the federal government, had to be publicly owned. The ideal site which these men had spotted ib the map was part of the holdings of the Paul Smith's Electric Company. Since no other tract of suitable terrain was to be found within a radius of some 40 miles, the whole effort might have bogged down but for the public-spirited cooperation of the Paul Smith's Electric Company which, in the interests of regional development, immediately deeded the 1200 acre tract to the Town of Harrietstown without cost.

With the requirement of public ownership thus complied with, events moved swiftly toward the realization of an outstanding airport for the Adirondacks. Through persistent effort on the part of various public-spirited citizens, who maintained closse contact with Washington, DC, the site was inspected and federal expenditures for construction of a Class III airport were approved. Step by step, the Town of Harrietstown Town Board and the Saranac Lake Airport Commission worked closely with state and federal agencies in the building process. Construction of the airfield was completed in 1942. The Town of Harrietstown issued bonds to augment the available funds and erected a terminal building in 1948 and a 100 by 100 foot hangar in 1950.

The taxpayers of the Town of Harrietstown had reason to be proud of their airport. It was rated as one of the best built Class III airports in the country. Two commercial airlines, Colonial Airlines and Resort Airlines, served the region at that time. Airmail service was provided by Colonial Airlines. The volume of air express business handled by Railway Express increased steadily, as did the number of privately owned aircraft using the field. Resort traffic response was immediate and increased steadily.

The airport was offically dedicated to the service of the people of the Adirondacks on July 10, 1949. Since 1960, the Town of Harrieststown has operated the airport. Day to day operations are under the juridiction of the airport manager who is appointed by the Town Board. The airport manager supervises a staff of five full-time and one part-time employee.The airport is open 365 days per year.

The Saranac Lake Airport was renamed in 1989 to the Adirondack Regional Airport.