HistoricSiteMarkers
Progressive & Modern Era

Stinson Airport

San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

Marker Inscription

Established by the Stinson family of aviation pioneers, Stinson Airport has witnessed the history of aviation from barnstormers to jets. Alabama native Katherine Stinson (1891-1977), hoping to win prize money to finance her musical education, convinced famed flight instructor Max Lillie of Chicago to take her on as a student in 1912. She became the fourth licensed woman pilot in the U. S. and began touring as a stunt pilot. Her family - mother Emma, sister Marjorie, and brothers Eddie and Jack- established the Stinson Aviation Company in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Marjorie and Eddie trained at the Wright Flying School in Ohio and also became pilots. In 1913, Max Lillie encouraged the Stinsons to move to San Antonio where the army had granted him permission to use the parade ground at Fort Sam Houston. Soon Katherine and Marjorie were offering instruction to U. S. and Canadian military pilots. The family leased 500 acres at this site from the city in 1916 and established Stinson Field. After the ban of civilian flights during World War I, Stinson Field became the city's civil airport in 1918. Charles Lindbergh kept an airplane and flew out of Stinson while he was stationed at Brooks Field. In the 1930s, commercial airlines began using the airport and construction of a new terminal building with Works Progress Administration funds enhanced the facility. During World War II it once again became an Army Air Corps training facility. Returned to civilian use after the war, Stinson Field became the primary general aviation airport for the city of San Antonio. (2001)

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Founded by the remarkable Stinson family, this field has seen aviation grow from barnstormers to jets. Katherine Stinson learned to fly in 1912 to fund her music studies and became the fourth licensed woman pilot in the U.S.; she and sister Marjorie soon trained American and Canadian military fliers here. The family leased this land in 1916, and the field served as a civil airport, a WPA-improved terminal, and an Army Air Corps training base through two world wars — Charles Lindbergh himself flew out of it.

Why it matters

One pioneering family made San Antonio a cradle of American aviation, and its women pilots trained the military fliers of a new air age.

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  • Margaritaville
    5.9 mi away · 849 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX
  • Chipotle
    6.0 mi away · 849 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX
  • Taco Bell
    6.0 mi away · 849 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX
  • McDonald's
    6.0 mi away · 101 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX
  • Which Wich?
    6.0 mi away
  • Starbucks
    6.0 mi away · 849 East commerce, San Antonio, TX

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Related people

  • · Katherine Stinson
  • · Marjorie Stinson
  • · Charles Lindbergh

Themes & tags

Innovation & FlightWomen's HistoryLandmark

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