Ranger Exes Memorial-TX - Ranger, Texas
Historical Ranger Airport

Ford Tri-motor monoplane at Ranger Airport in 1928

The Ranger Airport is listed as the third oldest 
operating airport in the State of Texas.  In the 
spring of 1928, C.J. Moore and various aviation 
boosters determined to build an airport for Eastland 
County began searching for a suitable site.  They 
purchased the 135-acre V.V. Cooper, Sr. tract, and 
officially dedicated the airport on Armistice Day, 
November 11, 1928.  Fifteen thousand people and 42
airplanes participated in the dedication.  Little 
Miss Alice Louise Henry, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
Harry Henry of Ranger, broke the bottle of ginger 
ale used to christen the field.   Called Haugland 
Airport in the 1930s, the airport was renamed Ranger 
Municipal Airport in September, 1938, when the Ranger 
Flying Service, owned by Russell B. Miller, Hall 
Walker and O.G. Lanier opened a Civilian Pilot 
training program at the airport.

Several noteworthy aviation events have occurred 
at the Ranger Field. On June 16, 1931, Aviatrix 
Amelia Earhart landed her Pitcairn Autogiro there.  
In the 1930s, Ranger Airport served as a midway 
point for glider races from Grand Prairie to 
Sweetwater and back.  During World War II, Army 
Air Forces Piper L4 Cub Pilots flew into Ranger 
Municipal Airport on multiple occasions for two 
to three days of practice in the clear skies 
around Ranger. Since World War II area citizens 
have worked continuously to make Ranger Municipal 
Airport as asset to the city, county and state.


Ranger Flying Service in 1938 (RJC)

Dedication of the Historical Marker


Dedication of the historical marker was held on 
May 26, 2007 at the Ranger Municipal Airport, 
located at 1402 Oddie Street.  Wayne White (RHS 
Faculty) sang the National Anthem. Invocation 
was given by Rev. James Upshaw.                                            

Ed Allcorn, Chair, Eastland County Historical 
Commission, welcomed distinguished guests and 
introduced Judge Scott Bailey (retired). Judge 
Bailey represented State Representative Jim 
Keffer, spoke briefly on "Memorial Day, What 
it Means", and read a Resolution by Keffer.                                                      

Speakers were William McWhorter, Texas Historical 
Commission, Austin; Jeane Pruett, Co-Chair, 
Eastland County Historical Commission, spoke 
for Mellenger Jacoby (RHS-1936) who was unable 
to attend. Mellenger was at the opening day of 
the airport in 1928. (opening day by Mellenger)  
O.G. Lanier, Jr. (RHS-1940) spoke of old 
memories of the airport.  

The "Ranger Municipal Airport" marker was unveiled 
by Alice Louise Henry Powell and Bill Bishop. 
Alice Louise Henry broke a bottle of ginger ale 
and officially christened the field in 1928. Bill 
Bishop is President of Ranger Aircraft Association. 
Jeane Pruett, Co-Chair of Eastland County Historical 
Commission, President of Ranger Historical Preservation 
Society, and past mayor of Ranger Dedicated the marker.  
Bill Bishop accepted the dedication of the marker.





Office at the Ranger Airport


Airport hanger


Inside hanger


Jeane Pruett dedicated the Marker. Posting of 
the Colors was done by the Eastland VFW Post 
4136. Jared Calvert (RHS-2005) helped with 
the unveiling.


Alice Louise Henry (RHS-1940) who officially 
christened the field in 1928. (Alice in 1928)


Eastland County Historical Commission
Pictured are L-R: Joy Conner, Eastland; Ruth 
Stewart, Secretary, Cisco; Wynelle Brown, Carbon; 
Eastland County Judge Rex Fields, Cisco; Jeane 
Pruett, Co-Chair, Ranger; Ed Allcorn, Chair, 
Eastland; Dale Walker, Carbon.



  VIDEO - Unveiling of airport historical marker
        Note: Video may not work on dial-up or the iPad.

Ranger Airfield website