Photo courtesy of the Warren County Historical Society Three runways made up the initial design of the Warren Airways Airport.

We know it now as Betts Park.

With a trail, softball fields, playgrounds, basketball courts, etc., the park is one of the most active parks in the City of Warren.

I’ve been in meetings where I’ve heard the paved area called the “runway” and it’s probably not a surprise for most of you to hear that it was once just that.

So what was there? How and when did it operate? And when did it – sans the pavement – disappear?

Those are answers I want to explore for the next few weeks because, if for no other reason, it’s cover to share some really interesting photos!

Let’s first look at where and why of the Warren Airport.

A letter from nine oil refiners in Warren, presumably in the late 1920s, is bold from the outset: “Wanted – More Fools!” The letter is in the collection of the Warren County Historical Society.

The Wright Brothers first flew in 1903. Lindbergh crossed the ocean in 1927 and was part of the “fool crowd once.”

“And now – about nine Warren fools… want company!” the refiners rather bizarrely claim. “They believe firmly in the tremendous future of aviation. They believe that Warren must have an airport now!”

Why?

“Their aim is to attract outside fliers, to stimulate local aviation and to put Warren where it belongs in this vitally important and profitable field. So they’ve gone ahead and put up their own money to start the ball rolling.”

They were offering to sell shares – 500 in total at $50 each.

“You can buy as many as you wish, using the inclosed blank. Or see your banker. He knows all about the proposition. And remember! No commissions – no bonuses – no salaries are being paid. This is a pioneer movement for Warren’s immediate good. We look to the future for our profit.”

An article from a local paper that the WCHS has preserved tried to capture public sentiment on the project.

“The announcement that the refiners of Warren had started a campaign to put Warren in her rightful place ‘aeronautically’ was met with enthusiasm by the residents of the city last evening and throughout today and there is no question in the minds of the promoters that when the actual campaign for stock subscription is started that the amount will be quickly over-subscribed.”

They also hold a copy of the lease between the Conewango Realty Corporation and Warren Airways, Inc. that gave them access to the land.

“More recently the company has aided in making it possible for Warren to have an airport,” a Historical Society document explained, “practically within the borough limits, by leasing approximately 60 acres of land at a nominal rental to the Warren Airways Incorporated, a company composed of public spirited citizens who are anxious to have Warren appear on the map as a live wide awake town with a landing field available for the use of those who are air minded.”

The marketing effort was successful because the Historical Society also has a flier making a pitch to draw fliers to a dedication over Labor Day weekend in 1930.

“Warren’s new Airport is located just west of the Borough of Warren. It can be easily seen from the air over any part of the Borough. The Airport has three runways, the shortest of which is 2200 feet. It is surrounded on three sides by the Allegheny River,” they write.

The organizers took steps to provide housing with a “prominent family” for each of the pilots that could attend.

“Warren’s Airport is on the direct route between Pittsburgh-Buffalo and Buffalo-Williamsport, a little north of the transcontinental air line, and is the gateway to the Pennsylvania mountains and forests,” they argue. “It is a nice feeling to have your motor checked, your ship gassed oiled before starting for Scranton, Philadelphia and points east over ‘pretty tough’ country.

“You will be the guest of Warren from the moment you touch your wheels on our airport until you take off for home.”

There was a bit of marketing in the presentation, as United Refining offered a “gas that will make you sit up and take notice. It is a new Aviation gas known as ‘Keystone Aviation,’ pumped and refined right in Warren. The oil is furnished by Hyvis Oil Co., another Warren product made in Warren. Both these products are Warren’s best and we know you will have loud praise for them after they “rev” up your motor more than usual, more power and instantaneous results. Both gas and oil has been put to the severest tests and we are sure you will say ‘Okay.'”

“You will like Warren – it is a beautiful city. Keeping up with the times,” they conclude. “It is proud of its new airport; first, because every progressive city should have its own airport so that air traffic can progress; second, because the finest equipment is being stalled at the Warren airport. A large hangar, 100 feet by 150 feet will soon be stretching its frame work into the skies. Night flying equipment, with its beacon lights, flood lights, boundary lights and the red obstacle lights will soon show their rays for the night flying pilot.”

The event included a stunt flying contest, dead stick landing prize as well as balloons to burst.

“If you stay three days you will never regret it.” they argued.

More on that event and the operation of the airport next week.

Also, if you remember the airport and have any stories or memories of the place, feel free to reach out to me at jcotton@timesobserver or (814) 730-6304.