Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields:
California: Central Orange County
© 2002, © 2008 by Paul Freeman. Revised 3/27/08.
Eddie Martin Airport (revised 3/18/08) - Naval Outlying Landing Field 13207 / Mile Square NOLF (revised 3/27/08)
Newport Bay Airport / Balboa Airport (revised 10/24/04) - Palisades NOLF (revised 11/20/06)
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Eddie Martin Airport, Santa Ana, CA
33.69 North / 117.87 West (Southeast of Los Angeles, CA)
An undated photo of several early pilots gathered in front of an unidentified biplane at Martin Field:
Howard Maish, George Leonard, Ernie Mobbs, John Martin, Harry Menephy, and Eddie Martin.
Aviation pioneer Eddie Martin started giving biplane rides in 1923
on land owned by The Irvine Company, initially without their permission.
Later that same year, Eddie & James Irvine made a deal for a 5-year lease on 80 acres for $35 a month.
In 1924 Eddie began the Santa Ana Air Club to promote flying in Orange County.
The organization was active for several years, eventually changing its name to the Eddie Martin's Pilot's Association.
Eddie taught many local people to fly.
Up until 1925 all of his pupils were males until Peggy Hall, a pretty young Santa Ana woman,
became the first woman to take lessons at the airport.
She developed her talents & became accomplished at acrobatics, sometimes appearing in air shows.
An undated (circa 1920s) ad for Eddie Martin's Airport.
It was in 1926 that Eddie was finally able to acquire a hangar for his airport.
It was a portable wooden building which sold for $350.
Later another portable hangar & two large permanent hangars were built.
Eddie and Johnny both took full-time jobs in aviation,
and left the running of the airport to Floyd Martin, their younger brother.
Carl Watson reported, “My father in law lived with his parents who had a store close to the old Eddie Martin Field
which was not where John Wayne Airport sits today.
His father Clearence Forsberg use to operate a store & he would sell peanuts when they had air shows there.
One that he mentions is when they put a parachute on a biplane & let it settle back to the ground.
He lived there from about 1920's to some time in the late 1920's.”
The earliest dated depiction of Martin Airport which has been located
was on a 1929 AAA street map (courtesy of Dan MacPherson).
It depicted Eddie Martin Airport as having 2 runways (oriented northwest/southeast & northeast/southwest),
with 2 buildings on the north side of the field.
The field was depicted as a rectangular property, located south of the intersection of Newport Avenue & Main Street.
Eddie Martin Field added runway lights in 1930.
The earliest aeronautical chart depiction of Martin Airport which has been located was on the 1934 San Diego Sectional Chart.
It depicted “Eddie Martin” as a commercial field.
An undated aerial view looking northwest at “Martin's” Airport,
from The Airport Directory Company's 1937 Airport Directory (courtesy of Bob Rambo).
The directory described Martin's as a commercial field, consisting of a rectangular sod field,
measuring 2,040' x 1,320', with the entire field available for flight operations.
A hangar was said to have “Eddie Martin's Airport” marked on its roof.
The field was illuminated, and was said to offer service, day & night.
A 1938 aerial view of Eddie Martin Field (from the Alexandria Digital Library, courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
depicted it as a rectangular grass field.
At some point between 1938-45, the Santa Ana Army Airfield was established on land adjacent to Martin Field, to the south.
The two fields were not located on the same property, as has been repeated elsewhere.
By the time of the 1945 San Diego Sectional Chart (courtesy of John Voss),
only Santa Ana AAF was depicted, and Martin Field was no longer depicted.
Santa Ana AAF eventually became today's John Wayne Orange County Airport.
As can be seen in the 2004 USGS aerial photo, not a trace remains of the former Eddie Martin Airport.
The site of Eddie Martin Airport is located at the intersection of Route 55 & South Main Street,
just north of John Wayne Airport.
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Newport Bay Airport / Balboa Airport, Costa Mesa, CA
33.65 North / 117.94 West (Southeast of Los Angeles, CA)
Balboa Airport, as depicted on the 1949 USGS topo map (courtesy of Francis Blake).
This small airport was one of a huge number of general aviation airports which sprung up around the United States
in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War.
However, it lasted a mere seven years,
having the 'misfortune' to be located on real estate which eventually became 'too valuable'
to continue to be used as a general aviation airport.
According to Edrick Miller’s book "A Slice of Orange" (courtesy of Jerome Vandewalle),
three former Army Air Force pilots (Gilmer Mayfield, Thomas Murphy, and M. R. Conn)
announced their intention of establishing an airport in Costa Mesa in February 1946.
They planned to establish a 214-acre airport on land leased from George Capron.
The plan drew strong objections from the local Chamber of Commerce,
but differences were eventually resolved.
The Airport had apparently commenced operations within the next few months,
as the 7/25/46 issue of the Newport News - Balboa Times reported that flights were "being conducted out of the airport daily",
using a Ryan PT-22, Fairchild PT-19, Vultee BT-13A, Taylorcraft, Globe Swift, Aeronca, Piper Cub, and Stinson L-5.
Gilmer Murphy, one of the 3 founders of the airport, was President of Pacific Coast Airways.
The first runway was described as running east/west, paralleling 19th Street.
A small 2-story building about halfway down the runway served as the administration building.
The 2nd floor had glass on 3 sides, and served as a control tower.
The airport was reported to be completing its north/south runway & its hangar within 10 days.
By September 1946, the Costa Mesa Globe Herald (from the Costa Mesa Historical Society, courtesy of Jerome Vandewalle)
described "Sky Harbor" as "a busy place".
It was labeled as "Newport Bay" Airport on the 1948 San Diego Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy),
and was described as having a 2,600' unpaved runway.
The runway was apparently paved within the next year, and the airport renamed,
it was labeled "Balboa Bay" Airport on the 1949 San Diego Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy),
and described as having a 2,700' hard-surface runway.
The 1949 USGS topo map (courtesy of Francis Blake) depicted "Balboa Airport" as having 2 runways:
a 2,800' north/south runway & a slightly shorter east/west runway.
Balboa Airport was depicted similarly on the 1950 USGS topo map (courtesy of Scott O'Donnell).
A photo from the 5/13/49 issue of the Costa Mesa Globe Herald (from the Costa Mesa Historical Society, courtesy of Jerome Vandewalle).
The photo depicted the Balboa Bay Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol
taking possession of its third plane (type undetermined) at the "Costa Mesa Airport".
Pictured is O.V. Bracken (at left, the squadron commanding officer)
receiving the papers from the aircraft from seller Tom Harris (who was also the executive officer of the squadron).
An undated photo (from the Costa Mesa Historical Society, courtesy of Jerome Vandewalle) of the "Newport Bay Sky Harbor" Airport.
A 3,000' runway is depicted along the southern edge of the property.
According to Edrick Miller’s book "A Slice of Orange" (courtesy of Jerome Vandewalle),
the airport "was torn up in early 1953 to make way for the huge Newport Vista housing tract.
By the time of the 1955 San Diego Sectional Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of John Voss),
the former airport was no longer depicted at all,
and a 1955 aerial photo (from the Costa Mesa Historical Society, courtesy of Jerome Vandewalle)
showed that the site had become densely covered with houses,
with not a trace remaining of the former airport.
The March 2004 USGS aerial photo showed that the site of Balboa Airport had been densely redeveloped with housing,
and not a trace of the former airport appeared to remain.
The site of Balboa Airport is located southwest of the intersection of Victoria Street & Placienta Avenue.
Thanks to Francis Blake for pointing out this airfield.
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Naval Outlying Landing Field 13207 / Mile Square Naval Outlying Landing Field,
Garden Grove, CA
33.73 North / 117.94 West (Southeast of Long Beach, CA)
A circa 1943 chart of NAS Los Alamitos & several of its outlying fields (courtesy of John Voss),
including NOLF 13207 (Mile Square).
In 1942, the Navy obtained 640 acres of land for
Naval Outlying Field Mile Square,
which used as an auxiliary for Naval Air Station, Los Alamitos.
It was used for carrier deck qualification practice by Navy aircraft.
Mile Square was originally one of 5 NOLFs which were closely located between Los Alamitos & El Toro:
the others were Horse Farm NOLF, Haster Farm NOLF, Seal Beach NOLF, and Palisades NOLF.
The earliest depiction which has been located of NOLF Mile Square
was a circa 1943 chart of NAS Los Alamitos & several of its outlying fields (courtesy of John Voss).
It depicted NOLF 13207 (Mile Square), as well as NOLF Haster Farm (11005), NOLF Horse Farm (08303),
NOLF Seal Beach (21104), and 2 “proposed” fields which were never built.
"(Navy) Mile Square", as depicted on the August 1945 San Diego Sectional Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The 1951 USGS topo map (courtesy of Scott O'Donnell) did not depict any runways at all at Mile Square -
the property was labeled merely "Naval Reservation".
It is not known if the runways were built after 1951,
or simply omitted from the map.
"Mile Square OLF (Navy)", as depicted on the September 1955 San Diego Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
In 1955, the facility was redesignated as a Marine Corps Outlying Landing Field,
to be used for helicopter autorotation practice
by helicopters based at nearby MCAF Santa Anna (later renamed MCAS Tustin).
Bob Cannon in front of his Luscombe after landing at Mile Square in 1956.
However, Bob Cannon didn't think there was a lot of military activity at Mile Square in 1956,
as he landed his Luscombe "in June 1956 at the then open & unused Mile Square airport.
Note the lack of houses in the background."
"I went to land there one day & the Marines had a jeep cruising around it.
I made several low passes strafing the jeep; I mean ground level runs.
I have no idea at this time what ever possessed me to think that I could get away with it.
Maybe one pass & then scram, but no, I made several passes.
That night I got a call from some Lieutenant in the Navy or whatever asking me what was up.
I told him I guess I was just a frustrated fighter pilot wannabe.
He suggested that I come down & sign up.
I told him that I wasn't that frustrated. I got off with just a warning miraculously."
A circa-1950s photo by Bob Cannon of an autogiro being tested at Mile Square.
In 1959, the Navy leased approximately 500 acres to the Heil Ranch Partnership for agricultural purposes.
The Mile Square airfield was no longer depicted at all
on the September 1959 San Diego Sectional Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
A 1964 aerial view of Mile Square, from the Anaheim Library (courtesy of Scott O'Donnell).
The airfield at Mile Square consisted of 3 paved runways:
two 2,500' runways connected by a 2,000' strip, forming a triangle.
Note the complete lack of development around the airfield - it is surrounded by nothing but farmland!
Mile Square was still depicted as an active military airfield
on the 1965 LA Local Area Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of John Voss)
and the 1966 San Diego Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
A 1967 Orange County Road Department Survey Map of the runways at Mile Square (courtesy of Scott O'Donnell).
In 1967, the Navy leased portions of the facility to Orange County
In March of 1967, Orange County entered into a long term lease with the Navy Department for the perimeter acreage of the site.
That lease allowed the county to develop this acreage for regional park purposes,
and until the county could afford to develop all the acreage,
the county was permitted to continue the agricultural lease.
In 1970, the first 85 acre phase of Mile Square Regional Park was opened.
Phase II which added ball diamonds & a children's play area was constructed & opened in 1973.
The Phase III development, extending the park northward to Edinger Avenue was constructed & opened at the end of 1976.
On March 28, 1973, after the Navy Department formally declared the perimeter acreage surplus,
the County of Orange received title to the perimeter acreage at no cost under the Federal Legacy Parks Program.
Military operations in the center airfield ceased in 1974.
In 1975 the county received an annual permit to operate the center triangle area for public recreation.
The park's Phase IV development commenced in the spring of 1987.
Found within this final phase is a 18-hole executive golf course, complete with club house, driving range & banquet facility.
Additional acres of park land include picnic facilities, bicycle trails, landscaping and a second park entrance.
The 3 paved runways still existed when the above 1994 USGS aerial photo was taken.
The north runway, as it was used for landsailing, before being destroyed for golf course expansion.
At one point a local organization called Save Mile Square was trying to save the park from the greed of local developers & politicians.
Mile Square's 3 paved runways were designated by the park for a while
to be used for landsailing & radio controlled model aircraft,
but were torn up by 2000 to make room for expansion of the surrounding golf course
(because we certainly don't have enough golf courses!).
John Smith reported in 2004 that "all remnants of the airfield are completely gone."
The March 2004 USGS aerial photo showed that virtually all of the pavement of the 3 former runways had been removed,
with only the northern edge of the east/west runway still hinting at the layout of the former airfield.
Thanks to Robin Dee for information about Mile Square.
See also: A 1994 Army Corps of Engineers report.
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Palisades Naval Outlying Landing Field, Newport Beach, CA
33.64 North / 117.88 West (South of John Wayne Orange County Airport, CA)
"Palisades (Navy)", as depicted on the August 1945 San Diego Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Photo of the airfield while open has not been located.
The date of construction of this WW2-era Navy satellite airfield is unknown.
Palisades was originally one of 4 NOLFs which were closely located between Los Alamitos & El Toro:
the others were Horse Farm NOLF, Haster Farm NOLF, and Mile Square NOLF.
Mile Square was built in 1942, so Palisades was probably built around the same time.
The Palisades airfield was not depicted on the on 1944 San Diego Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy),
but it was depicted on the August 1945 San Diego Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
According to John Voss, the runway at Palisades
"was a standard 2,500' long & quite wide... maybe a hundred yards or more.
Apparently it was used jointly by NAAS Los Alamitos (for flight training N2T's)
as well as by NAS Santa Ana [later to become Tustin MCAS]
where they used it for remote control aircraft (Curtiss SO3C Seagull)."
The Navy apparently abandoned the Palisades airfield immediately after the end of WW2,
as it was no longer depicted at all on the August 1945 San Diego Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy).
However, Palisades apparently saw some reuse by the Navy starting in 1947.
John Voss reported, “Victor Smith was assigned to the base [NAS Santa Ana] in 1947.
He commented that VU-7(a) was based at NAS Santa Ana for the continuation of pilotless aircraft evaluation.
VU-7(a) utilized Culver TD2C / Grumman F6F Hellcats as drone aircraft
with Beech SNB Expeditors as the drone controllers.
OLF Palisades was used for the flight operations (launch & recovery)
and that the small quonset building was the 'mess area' when they were doing field operations there.
The operations at Palisades were Target Drone Operations.
The unmanned drones were launched & flown out to a target area for ship-to-air target practice.
If they survived they were brought back to Palisades; from there, back to home base.
The squadron was relocated to MCAS El Toro in 1948.”
A 1949 photo of VU-3 squadron members at their annual Beer & Bar-B-Que Party at Palisades NOLF (courtesy of Victor Smith, via John Voss).
The 1949 USGS topo map (courtesy of Francis Blake) depicted a single northeast/southwest runway,
but it was labeled merely "Landing Field".
"Palisades (Navy)" was depicted on the March 1951 San Diego USAF Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy),
but the Aerodromes table described the field as "Closed".
"Palisades OLF" was still depicted on the September 1955 San Diego Sectional Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The Aerodromes table described Palisades as having a single 2,500' bituminous runway.
Palisades NOLF was apparently closed at some point between 1955-59,
as it was no longer depicted at all on the September 1959 San Diego Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
John Voss continues, "In the late 50's some of my high school buddies & I
would take our cars to OLF Palisades & do a bit of drag racing there.
It was totally abandoned & a nice road led right to the end of the strip.
There was a small Quonset hut remaining & a wind direction vane (still working & creaking it the wind).
OLF Palisades was [eventually] converted into housing (and nice ones at that)."
Palisades was definitely closed by 1963, as it was labeled "Aband arpt"
on the 1963 San Diego Sectional Chart (courtesy of Bob Cannon).
A 1964 aerial view of the site of the Palisades airfield, from the Anaheim Library (courtesy of Scott O'Donnell).
A portion of the runway at Palisades still remained,
but housing had already been constructed along the east side of Eastbluff Drive,
and a high school track has already been constructed at the south end.
The Palisades airfield was not depicted at all on the 1965 LA Local Area aeronautical chart (courtesy of John Voss).
The 1981 USGS topo map & 1995 USGS aerial photo
showed that the center of the site of Palisades NOLF had become Eastbluff Park,
with the surrounding area all having been filled in with dense housing.
A 2006 aerial photo, annotated by Chris Kennedy to show the location of the former runway of the Palisades airfield.
The site of Palisades NOLF is located just west of the intersection of Eastbluff Drive & Vista Del Oro.
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