Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields:
Northwestern Arizona
© 2002, © 2008 by Paul Freeman. Revised 6/13/08.
Cyclopic Aux AAF #1 (added 7/13/04) - Hackberry Aux AAF #3 (revised 6/13/08)
Lake Mohave Ranchos Airport (added 5/30/05) - Searchlight Ferry Airport (1st location) (revised 10/29/06)
Searchlight Ferry (2nd location) / Cottonwood Landing Airport (revised 10/29/06) - Transwestern Pipeline Company Airfield #1 (revised 7/17/06)
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Lake Mohave Ranchos Airport, Dolan Springs, AZ
35.57 North / 114.3 West (Northwest of Phoenix, AZ)
Lake Mohave Ranchos Airport, as depicted on the December 1970 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of David Brooks).
Photo of the airport while in operation has not been located.
The Lake Mohave Ranchos Airport was evidently established at some point during 1970,
as it was not yet depicted on the June 1970 Phoenix Sectional Chart (according to David Brooks).
The earliest depiction of the field which has been located
was on the December 1970 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of David Brooks).
It depicted Lake Mohave Ranchos as a public-use airport, with a 3,700' unpaved runway.
The 1970 AOPA Airport Directory (according to David Brooks) described Lake Mohave Ranchos as offering tie-downs & fuel.
Its purpose was stated to serve the Lake Mead Recreational Area.
The last depiction which has been located of Lake Mohave Ranchos as an active airfield
was on the June 1980 Phoenix Sectional Chart (according to David Brooks).
Lake Mohave Ranchos was evidently closed (for reasons unknown) at some point in 1980,
as it was no longer depicted on the December 1980 Phoenix Sectional Chart (according to David Brooks)
or subsequent charts.
Thus, this small general aviation airport apparently only lasted about 9-10 years.
As seen in the 1997 USGS aerial photo, several closed-runway “X” symbols were still recognizable on the former runway.
There did not appear to be any sign of any buildings related to the airfield.
Lake Mohave Ranchos Airport is located south of the intersection of Pierce Ferry Road & Gila Drive.
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Searchlight Ferry Airport (1st location), Dolan Springs, AZ
35.46 North / 114.63 West (Northwest of Phoenix, AZ)
The original Searchlight Ferry Airfield, as March 1955 LA Sectional Chart (courtesy of David Brooks).
Photo of the airport while in operation has not been located.
This small general aviation airport was located along the eastern shore of Lake Mojave, along the western border of Arizona.
The original Searchlight Ferry Airfield was evidently established at some point between 1949-53,
as it was not yet depicted at all on the February 1949 LA Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy).
The earliest depiction which has been located of the Searchlight Ferry Airfield
was on the 1953 LA Sectional Chart (according to David Brooks).
It depicted the field as having a 3,000' unpaved runway.
The March 1955 LA Sectional Chart (courtesy of David Brooks)
depicted Searchlight Ferry in the same fashion.
The last chart depiction which has been located of the original Searchlight Ferry Airfield
was on the March 1958 LA Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The field was labeled as “Emergency only”,
and the Aerodromes table on the chart described the field as having a single 1,200' bare runway.
The comment said "Caution: Short field. Fuel avail."
Note that the field had evidently lost more than half its length between 1955-58.
In the words of Chris Kennedy, “I guess the lake must have swallowed most of the runway by then.”
The original Searchlight Ferry Airfield was evidently abandoned at some point between 1958-60,
as no airfield was depicted in this area on the September 1960 LA Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy).
By 1963, a new Searchlight Ferry Airfield had been established, a mile further north along the shore of the Lake.
According to David Brooks, it appears as if the original Searchlight Ferry Airfield
was flooded out by rising waters of Lake Mojave.
In the 1992 USGS aerial photo there did not appear to be any trace remaining of the former airfield.
As seen in a 2006 aerial photo, there did not appear to be any trace remaining of the former airfield.
The Searchlight Ferry Airfield is located south of where Cottonwood Road ends at the shore of Lake Mojave,
inside the Lake Mead National Recreational Area.
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Searchlight Ferry Airport (2nd location) / Cottonwood Landing Airport, Dolan Springs, AZ
35.48 North / 114.67 West (Northwest of Phoenix, AZ)
The second location of the Searchlight Ferry Airfield,
as depicted on the July 1963 Gila River USAF World Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of David Brooks).
Photo of the airport while in operation has not been located.
No airfield was depicted in this area on the March 1961 LA Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy).
At some point between 1961-63, a new Searchlight Ferry Airfield was established along the shore of Lake Mojave,
one mile to the north of where the original Searchlight Ferry Airfield had been located.
The earliest chart depiction of the second airfield which has been located
was on the July 1963 Gila River USAF World Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of David Brooks).
It depicted Searchlight Ferry as a public-use airport.
The second location of the Searchlight Ferry Airfield was listed in the 1963 AOPA Airport Directory (according to Chris Kennedy).
It was described as having a single 3,000' dirt Runway 18/36,
and the note "Last report 1961."
The August 1965 & August 1966 LA Sectional Charts (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
depicted Searchlight Ferry as having a 3,000' unpaved runway.
At some point between 1966-67,
the field was evidently renamed “Cottonwood”,
as that is how it was labeled on the March 1967 LA Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
“Cottonwood Cove” was described in the 1967 AOPA Airport Directory (according to Chris Kennedy)
as having a single 3,000' dirt Runway 18/36.
However, the runway configuration was apparently changed at some point in 1967,
as a November 1967 Flight Guide (according to Chris Kennedy) described the field as having a single 3,000' Runway 13/31.
“Cottonwood” was described on the August 1968 LA Sectional Chart (courtesy of David Brooks)
as having a 3,000' unpaved runway.
“Cottonwood Landing” was described in the 1982 AOPA Airports USA Directory (according to Chris Kennedy)
as having a single 2,600' dirt/gravel Runway 13/31.
The last chart depiction of the Cottonwood Landing Airport which has been located
was on the 1987 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of David Brooks).
It depicted Cottonwood Landing as having a 2,700' unpaved runway.
Cottonwood Landing Airfield was evidently closed (for reasons unknown) at some point between 1987-89,
as it was no longer depicted at all on the July 1989 LA Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy).
The 1992 USGS aerial photo clearly showed the runway as being marked with closed "X" symbols.
The paved runway otherwise appeared to be in fine condition.
The complex of buildings just south of the runway was a pumping station,
but there did not appear to have been any hangars or other buildings directly associated with the airfield.
The 2003 & 2004 Phoenix Sectional Charts (according to David Brooks)
depicted an airfield at this location, but simply labeled “U” (unidentified).
As of 2005, the FAA Airport/Facility Directory did not list any active airfield at this location.
As seen in a 2006 aerial photo, the runway remained intact, still marked with closed "X" symbols.
The Cottonwood Landing Airfield is located north of where Cottonwood Road ends at the shore of Lake Mojave,
inside the Lake Mead National Recreational Area.
In the word of David Brooks, “Getting there would be a challenge by road!”
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Transwestern Pipeline Company Airfield #1, Kingman, AZ
35.2 North / 113.36 West (Northwest of Phoenix, AZ)
Transwestern #1 Airfield, as depicted on the June 1985 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of David Brooks).
Photo of the airport while in operation has not been located.
The Transwestern #1 Airfield was one of a string of former private airfields
built along the Transwestern Pipeline Company's pipeline in Arizona & New Mexico
(the Transwestern Pipeline Company was based in nearby Kingman).
Each of the Transwestern airfields were constructed adjacent to one of a series of compressor stations
located along the pipeline (according to a map located by David Brooks).
The date of construction of the Transwestern #1 Airfield has not been determined,
but the other airfields in the string of Transwestern airfields were mostly established in the 1970s.
The earliest depiction of the Transwestern #1 Airfield which has been located
was on the June 1985 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of David Brooks).
It depicted Transwestern #3 as a private airfield having a single 4,800' paved runway,
running east/west along the north side of the pipeline.
The date at which the Transwestern #1 Airfield was closed has not been determined,
but the other airfields in the string of Transwestern airfields were mostly closed in the 1990s.
The Transwestern #1 Airfield was evidently abandoned by 1997,
as the 1997 USGS aerial photo clearly showed the runway as being marked with closed "X" symbols.
The paved runway otherwise remained largely intact.
The complex of buildings just south of the runway was a pumping station,
but there did not appear to have been any hangars or other buildings directly associated with the airfield.
A 2004 photo by Alan Cowan of the western portion of the former Transwestern #1 Airfield
showed that the runway pavement was evidently cut in several places,
presumably to discourage unauthorized landings.
The Transwestern #1 Airfield is located northwest of the intersection of Interstate 40 & Fort Rock Road, at Exit 91.
Thanks to David Brooks for pointing out this airfield.
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Cyclopic Army Auxiliary Airfield #1, Cyclopic, AZ
35.74 North / 114.09 West (Northwest of Phoenix, AZ)
"Kingman #1", as depicted on the March 1945 Prescott Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Photo of the airfield while in use has not been located.
This airfield was evidently built during WW2 as one of several satellite airfields for Kingman AAF (33 miles to the southeast),
which conducted training for the 70,000 Pilot Training Program.
The date of construction of the Cyclopic Airfield has not been determined,
but most of the other Kingman Auxiliary Airfields were established in 1942-43.
The Cyclopic Airfield was located in an extremely remote & barren area.
The earliest depiction of the airfield which has been located
was on the March 1945 Prescott Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
It depicted "Kingman #1" as an auxiliary airfield.
The date of closure of the Cyclopic Airfield has not been determined,
but many of the other Kingman Auxiliary Airfields were classified surplus in 1945.
It is unlikely that the Cyclopic Airfield was ever reused for civilian aviation,
due to its extremely remote location.
No airfield at this location was listed in the 1962 AOPA Airport Directory,
and nothing at all was depicted at this location on USGS topo maps from 1969, 1980, or 1991.
The precise location of the former Cyclopic Aux AAF #1 has not been determined.
However, at the general location depicted for the airfield on the 1945 Sectional Chart,
the 1997 USGS aerial photo shows a linear feature measuring approximately 6,000',
which is exactly the same as the runway length of several other Kingman AAF Auxiliary Airfields.
The site of Cyclopic Aux AAF #1 is located 2 miles southeast of the intersection of Routes 25 & 149.
Thanks to Chris Kennedy for locating this airfield.
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Hackberry Army Auxiliary Airfield #3, Antares, AZ
35.42 North / 113.8 West (West of Phoenix, AZ)
"Kingman #3", as depicted on the March 1945 Prescott Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Photo of the airfield while in use has not been located.
This airfield was built as a WW2-era satellite field for Kingman AAF (a few miles west),
which conducted training for the 70,000 Pilot Training Program.
The War Department acquired the property by transfer & lease in 1943.
Two 6,000' earthen airstrips were constructed on the property, in addition to three sheds, a tower, and a latrine.
The landing field was used in conjunction with the Kingman Air to Air Gunnery range
as an emergency landing field & as a target dropping ground.
"Kingman #3" was still depicted as a military airfield on the March 1945 Prescott Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The property was classified surplus in 1945.
This field was listed as Kingman Aux AAF #3 in a directory of AZ Airports
in the 5/47 issue of Arizona Highways (courtesy of George Miller),
which described the longest runway as 6,500'.
At some point between 1947-49, it was apparently reused as a civil airport.
"Hackberry" airfield was depicted on the 1949 Prescott Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy),
and was described as having a 6,000' hard-surface runway.
It was depicted as "Hackberry" Airport on the 1956 Prescott Sectional Chart (courtesy of John Voss).
The field was described as having two runways, with the longest being a 6,000' paved runway.
The 1967 AOPA Airport Directory (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
described Hackberry Airport as having two 6,000' hard-surface runways: Runway 4/22 & Runway 13/31.
The remarks said, "Caution: Abandoned military strip reported usable but not maintained.
Cattle sometimes on field. Caution required."
Hackberry was apparently abandoned again at some point between 1967-80,
as the two runways were still depicted on the 1980 USGS topo map,
but it was labeled simply as "Airstrip".
The Hackberry airfield was labeled simply as "Landing Field" on the 1991 USGS topo map.
USGS aerial photo 1999.
According to an Army Corps of Engineers report,
the Hackberry airfield property is currently partly private land, and part owned by the Department of Interior.
The property remains as undeveloped desert land, except for what is left of the airstrips,
which are barely discernible through the vegetative overgrowth.
Several unpaved roads now cross over the runway remains.
The airfield was not depicted at all (even as an abandoned airfield) on 2000 aeronautical charts.
Chris Kennedy visited the site of Kingman #3 in September 2004.
He reported: "Although I knew exactly where the runway should have intersected
the county road that goes through the site on the west end,
I could not find any evidence of a runway except possibly an area
that appeared to be at a slightly higher grade than the surrounding dirt.
The runways must have been dirt & are completely overgrown with desert bushes of some kind,
just like the surrounding area."
Tim Tyler visited the site of Hackberry #3 in October 2004, and found "a few mobile homes scattered about the area,
and some high tension power lines crossing the site.
We didn’t get any closer than about half a mile to the area, but didn’t see the signature of anything airfield-related."
An October 2005 photo by Keith Wood, looking southeast from the road that crosses the former northwest/southeast runway at Hackberry AAF.
Keith reported, “The overhead [photo] is still pretty accurate.
There is a new barn/garage being built in the home site just south of where I shot the pictures, but otherwise there was no change.
I found no evidence that the runways had ever been paved,
but what I could see was in good condition & could be used again after a weekend of clearing up growth.”
A circa 2006 aerial view looking southeast at the remains of Hackberry's 2 runways.
The Hackberry airfield is located just northeast of the tiny town of Antares.
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