Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields:
Colorado: Northeastern Denver area
© 2002, © 2007 by Paul Freeman. Revised 2/18/07.
Lowry Field (1st location) / Combs Field (revised 12/12/06)
Sky Ranch Airport (revised 12/12/06) - Stapleton International (revised 2/18/07)
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Lowry Field (1st location) / Combs Field, Denver, CO
39.77 North / 104.93 West (Northeast of Downtown Denver, CO)
The first "Lowry Field" was dedicated by the Colorado Air National Guard in 1924.
The field was named in honor of Francis Lowry,
a Denver native who had been killed when he was shot down in 1918 while serving as an aerial observer.
According to the Wings Over the Rockies Museum,
the original Lowry Field was located in the vicinity of 38th Avenue & Dahlia Street.
The Airport Directory Company's 1933 Airports Directory (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
described "Lowry National Guard" Airfield as being located "4 miles northeast of the State Capitol Building".
The Union Pacific Railroad was said to form the Northern boundary of the field.
The airfield was said to consist of a 2,300' sod square.
The southern hangar was said to have "Denver, CO, Lowry Field" painted on the roof.
The Airport Directory Company's 1937 Airports Directory (courtesy of Bob Rambo)
described "Lowry National Guard" Airfield as consisting of a sod 2,300' square landing area.
A confusing development in the story of Lowry Field came in 1937,
when the Army dedicated a separate & unrelated "Lowry Field" in a different location, 4 miles to the southeast.
These two "Lowry Fields" continued in simultaneous operation for one more year,
until the original Lowry Field was inactivated (for reasons unknown) by the National Guard in 1938.
The original Lowry Field evidently continued in use for some period of time as a civilian airfield,
as it “Combs” was depicted as a commercial/municipal field at the location of the original Lowry Field
on the February 1945 Denver Sectional Chart (courtesy of Richard Doehring).
Bob Parrick recalled, “My dad worked as a mechanic at Continental's B-29 modification center at Denver Stapleton.
He & a partner bought a surplus PT-19 trainer in the summer of 1945
and based it on a small turf field that was to the west of & within sight of the Stapleton hangars.
I recall that it had several small hangars that housed some small private aircraft.”
Based on the description & pictures of the original Lowry Field,
Bob is convinced that this was the same airport where his dad's plane was based.
Bob continued, “I marvel now to think that, not owning a car,
we on more than one occasion walked from our house near the fence of the 'new' Lowry Field
to the old Lowry to work on that plane.
Or at least Dad worked on the plane as I was too little to be of much help.
Retracing the route on current maps shows it was a 3-4 mile hike.
As I say this was in 1945, so apparently the Old Lowry was still in use
(perhaps under a different name) long after the Air Guard left in 1938.
I don't see any reference to the field on the 1950 Denver Sectional Chart
so I guess it probably was abandoned sometime between 1946-50.”
No airfield was depicted at all at this location
on the the June 1963 Denver Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
In the 1993 USGS aerial photo, there did not appear to be any remaining traces of the original Lowry Field.
A 2005 photo by Frank Niehus of a hangar which remains standing at the site of the 1st location of Lowry Field.
Note the “Combs Aircraft Corp.” lettering still visible along the top of the hangar.
In a 2005 aerial photo, the former hangar was visible in the center of the photo, along the eastern edge of the golf course.
There did not appear to be any other recognizable traces of the original Lowry Field.
A 2006 aerial view looking west at the former “Combs Aircraft Corp.” hangar which remains standing at the site of the 1st location of Lowry Field.
What appears to be a 2nd arch-roof hangar is to the right.
The site of the original Lowry Field was located in the vicinity of 38th Avenue & Dahlia Street,
which is on the eastern edge of the present-day Park Hill Golf Club.
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39.76 North / 104.75 West (East of Stapleton International Airport, CO)
Sky Ranch, as depicted on the February 1949 Denver Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The date of construction of this former general aviation airport is unknown.
According to Brian Richardson, the owner of the property in 2006 (Brian Seib) thinks “that the airport was built prior to the 1940s
and was commandeered by the military during WW2.
According to the Adams County tax folks both hangars were constructed in 1945.
However, we believe there were runways being used on that site prior to 1945.”
However, Sky Ranch Airport was yet depicted at all
on the February 1945 Denver Sectional Chart (courtesy of Richard Doehring).
The earliest depiction of Sky Ranch which has been located
was on on the February 1949 Denver Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
It depicted the field as having a 4,100' hard surface runway.
A circa late 1940s-50s aerial view looking east at Sky Ranch (courtesy of Mike Wotovich).
A circa late 1940s-50s closeup-up aerial view looking east at the three hangars at Sky Ranch (courtesy of Mike Wotovich).
A circa late 1940s-50s aerial view looking south at the main hangar at Sky Ranch, with its attached control tower (courtesy of Mike Wotovich).
Joseph McKinley reported that he took flying lessons & soloed at Sky Ranch in 1956.
Sky Ranch was depicted in the 1960 Jeppesen Airway Manual (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
as having three unpaved runways (with the longest being the 4,100' Runway 12/30),
as well as a taxiway leading to a ramp on the south side of the field with numerous buildings.
Sky Ranch was listed among active airports in the 1962 AOPA Airport Directory,
with three gravel runways (the largest being 4,700' long),
and the operators listed as Universal Aircraft Industries & Vest Aircraft & Finance Company.
Sky Ranch Airport was depicted on the June 1963 Denver Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
as having a 4,200' unpaved runway.
Larry Leger recalled, “After I graduated from Aurora Central High school in 1963,
I worked at Sky Ranch for 3 summers while going to college.
Univar was the Fixed Base Operator & had a substantial maintenance & engine / propeller rebuild operation.
Univar owned the jigs & dies for many older airplanes including Swift, Stinson, and Ercoupe.
In fact in 1963 a new Stinson was manufactured as a 16th birthday present for the owners' son.
The owners of Univar were named Dyer.
The general manager was Bob Williams or Williamson.
It ran into financial problems & ceased doing business.
Sky Ranch was owned by the Mack family.
Mack Realty was a large commercial real estate firm in Denver at the time.
Vest was a airplane broker that operated at the airport.
I took lessons & soloed at Sky Ranch in 1963.
The east/west & north/south runways were paved & the hangars painted in 1964.”
Sky Ranch was depicted in the 1967 Flight Guide (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
as having two paved runways (4,850' Runway 8/26 & 4,625' Runway 18/36),
as well as a 5,280' unpaved Runway 12/30.
A taxiway led to a ramp on the south side of the field with several hangars.
Dennis Ramey recalled, “I received the training for both my private & commercial licenses at [Sky Ranch],
the former in August of 1968 & the latter in November of 1969.
The school, ATA, was located in the one-story buildings west of the large hangars.
I worked for the Fixed Base Operator for several months in 1969.
In 1969, the airport had an active flying club, a very busy repair facility,
the flight school, a small diner, and probably 70-80 aircraft.”
Dennis continued, “The primary runways were paved when I made my first flights at Skyranch in November of 1967.
I suspect land development, bothersome neighbors, and the age of the owners
had more to do with closing the airport than did Stapleton.
The approach pattern to Runways 26 L & R at Stapleton were well above our altitudes in the pattern at Sky Ranch.
I never encountered any wake turbulence from the Stapleton traffic nor did anyone else I knew.
The neighbors that built around the airport were a problem.
There was one particular family that lived at the departure end of Runway 26 that complained continually.
I met the owner several times & believe him to be in his 70’s in 1969.
All in all, it was a great place to fly from.
The 1970 Denver Sectional Chart (courtesy of Vince Granato)
depicted Sky Ranch as having two paved runways, with the longest being 4,800'.
Jesse Colvin recalled, "I don't know exactly when Sky Ranch was closed
but I do know that it was closed by the mid 1970s.
I went to W.C. Hinkely in Aurora from 1974-77
and Sky Ranch at that time had already been closed for some time."
By the time it was closed, Sky Ranch Airport was very substantial in terms of facilities,
for a general aviation airport.
Sky Ranch was no longer depicted at all on the 1976 USGS topo map.
It was depicted as an abandoned airfield
on the February 1977 Denver Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Dennis Ramey recalled, “I was sorry to see it closed when I returned to Denver in 1977.”
According to Patrick Griffith, “The site of that old airport became the location
of an outer marker & low-frequency compass locater (NDB) for the approach to Stapleton International Airport.
Virtually every aircraft approaching to land at Stapleton from the east
announced their presence at Sky Ranch to the tower to indicate that they were on final approach.”
The runways of Sky Ranch were still depicted on the 1981 USGS topo map,
but the field was labeled "Sky Ranch Airport (Closed)".
In the 1993 USGS aerial photo, the runways at Sky Ranch had all been removed,
but their location was still barely perceptible.
Several roads & commercial buildings had been built over the former runways.
Two large hangars (one with an attached control tower) still stood as the only remaining element of the airport.
A 2001 photo by Neal Braatz of the remaining hangars & control tower at Sky Ranch.
A 2001 photo by Neal Braatz of the remaining hangars & control tower at Sky Ranch.
In the 2002 USGS aerial photo, the outlines of at least 2 of the former runways were still barely perceptible.
Several roads & commercial buildings had been built over the former runways.
Two large hangars (one with an attached control tower) still stood at the southern end of the property.
Raymond Cober recalled in 2003, "I had once lived within a mile or so of the former facilities
and in fact it is quite possible my home was built on former airport grounds!
The remaining hangar & control tower/hangar combo are very visible landmarks from either I-70 or Tower Road,
including the intersection of both roadways.
I remember once driving up to there to see what the exact deal was.
A chain link fence surrounds the remaining facilities,
with signage indicating that the property is privately owned, apparently by some local construction firm.
Construction equipment was parked both outside & within the hangars themselves.
A few other additional facilities were built within the fenced perimeters,
mostly seeming to be temporary in nature (sheds, etc.).
The area has become somewhat more built up since the 1993 aerial survey
and I suspect even more so from the 2001 aerial survey.
The surrounding areas are becoming increasingly built-up with commercial interests
since the land is relatively cheap to buy & tax,
as well as the close proximity to DIA(KDEN) and the traditional technological & educational centers of Denver.
About a month ago, I passed by the area on the interstate,
and it seemed as if there were commercial facilities built up almost to the chain link fence.
I would not be surprised if the property is bought-up, the facilities demolished,
and any last vestige of Sky Ranch obliterated within the next five years.
A similar fate could very well be in the near future for nearby Aurora (01V),
which for the time being is privately operated & remains open as a general aviation airport."
Brian Richardson reported in 2006 that the former airport property is currently owned by Brian Seib.
Brian Richardson reported, “During a recent tour of the facilities
I witnessed what is left of the old military barracks facilities on the West side of the property.”
A 2006 aerial view looking west at the 2 former hangars which remain standing at the site of Sky Ranch Airport.
Note the control tower on the northern corner of the western hangar.
The site of Sky Ranch Airport is located just north of Interstate 70,
5 miles east of the former Stapleton International Airport.
Thanks to Neal Braatz for pointing out this field.
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Stapleton International Airport (DEN), Denver, CO
39.77 North / 104.87 West
What was then known as Denver Union Airport, in 1929.
This field, originally known as Denver Municipal Airport, was opened in 1929.
It was called the "Union Station of the Air", and heralded as the most modern facility in the country.
The airport was an immediate financial success.
An aerial view of the Denver terminal & hangars in 1930.
In 1931, Amelia Erhart stopped at Denver Municipal Airport on one of her cross-country escapades.
The 1934 Department of Commerce Airport Directory (according to Chris Kennedy)
described Denver Airport as having four sandy loam runways, with the longest being a 5,000' northeast/southwest strip.
A hangar was said to have "Denver Municipal Airport" painted on the roof.
Boyd Finch recalled, “As a boy age 10-13 (1935-38), I lived in the 2200 block of Krameria Street in Denver.
From the north end of our block there was open prairie all the way to the Denver Municipal Airport (Stapleton),
and I would ride my bike on diagonal paths to 32nd (now Martin Luther King) and on to a low bluff on the west of the airport.
I remember the terminal building & the two hangars.
I could wander wherever I wanted on the flight line & into the hangars, talking to mechanics, etc.”
The Airport Directory Company's 1937 Airports Directory (courtesy of Bob Rambo)
described Denver Municipal Airport as having three "surfaced" runways,
with the longest being a 5,250' northwest/southeast strip.
An early (undated) view of Stapleton Municipal Airport.
The first control tower at Denver became functional in 1938.
In 1944, the field was renamed after Mayor Stapleton, who had led the fight for the new airport.
During WW2, Stapleton housed the Continental Denver Modification Center,
and was also used by the Air Transport Command.
The February 1945 Denver Sectional Chart (courtesy of Richard Doehring)
depicted Stapleton as a commercial/municipal airport.
The February 1949 Denver Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
depicted Stapleton as having an 8,500' hard surface runway.
By the late 1950's, the jet age was a reality,
and the need to expand the terminal facilities & runways became a necessity.
Additional land was acquired from the Rocky Mountain Arsenal.
Stapleton Airport was depicted
on the October 1963 Sangre De Christo Mountains World Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Donald Felton)
as having a 11,500' hard-surface runway.
Steve Barnes recalled, "My dad was a private pilot in the 1960's
and we flew out of Coombs Aviation here at Stapelton
when it was still an everyday thing to mix 172's up with 707's on the runway.
I remember many times taxiing out behind a heavy
and gagging on the JP fumes coming into the cockpit.
Sometimes it seems like yesterday."
The April 1969 Denver Sectional (courtesy of Richard Doehring),
Stapleton depicted as having 4 paved runways, with the longest being 11,500'.
By 1985, Stapleton Airport had grown to 4,700 acres.
However, while passenger levels at the airport expanded dramatically in the 1970's & 80's,
Denver neighborhoods were expanding east towards the airport.
This led to a decision to replace Stapleton with a completely new airport,
Denver International, a mere 10 miles to the northeast,
at a cost of several billion dollars.
A 1993 USGS aerial view of Stapleton, taken only a few years before the field's closure.
Once the new Denver International Airport was opened for service,
the massive Stapleton International Airport was completely closed.
By the time of the January 1997 Denver Sectional (courtesy of Richard Doehring),
Stapleton was still depicted, but was labeled as Closed.
Recent aerial view, taken after the field's closure.
Undated photos of remains of the airport infrastructure at Stapleton (courtesy of Rex Ricks).
The terminals at Stapleton in the process of being demolished.
The terminals at Stapleton in the process of being demolished.
At the date of its closure, Stapleton consisted of five runways, up to 12,000' in length.
It is planned to redevelop the property for a variety of residential & commercial purposes,
and all of the extensive aviation infrastructure at Stapleton has been progressively destroyed.
A 2002 photo by Tim Tyler of the Stapleton control tower & parking garage.
A 2003 photo by Benjamin Shumaker looking east at the lonely control tower which still stands at the site of he former Stapleton Airport.
Benjamin Shumaker visited the site of Stapleton in 2003. His report:
"The terminal area is drastically different than two years ago.
The entire terminal structure & runway complex does not exist,
although from the air, I could still make out where the runways used to be.
The parking structure & control tower are the only structures still standing & I guess they will remain.
Entry into the airport via MLK Boulevard is still the same.
I was able to drive to the back of the parking structure
and get some shots of the control tower & surrounding area looking east.
Two rows of fencing kept me from walking right up to the tower
and every ramp & stairwell to the upper-deck of the parking structure
was obstructed with fencing to keep people out."
A 2003 aerial photo of the south side of the former Stapleton Airport site by Craig Mills (used by permission).
"This taken on climbout from Allegiant Air headed to Vegas.
We were just through 10,000' at this point (roughly 4,500' above the ground).
The warehouses on the left are right where the threshold of 35R was located.
There is almost no indication that there were runways on the south side of the site anymore."
A 2003 aerial photo looking east at the remains of Stapleton by Craig Mills (used by permission).
"Taken from the west of the Old Stapleton site at 1,000' AGL.
Here you can see where houses have now taken the place of the three east/west parallel runways.
The spared control tower is in the lower left."
A 2003 aerial photo of the Stapleton control tower by Craig Mills (used by permission).
A 2004 aerial photo by Craig Mills (used by permission) looking east at the remains of the Stapleton runways,
with the control tower still visible on the left.
A 2004 aerial photo by Craig Mills (used by permission) of Stapleton's former control tower & parking garage.
A 2004 aerial photo by Craig Mills (used by permission) of a remaining runway portion at Stapleton.
Steve Barnes reported in 2004, "The picture showing a portion of the old runway 35R with semi-trailers parked on it is where I work!
The warehouse just to east of the runway (and that is what we call it at work too)
is a meat, produce, cheese, and frozen food warehouse for King Soopers, the local branch of the Kroger Company.
I am a yard hostler here and spend my day shuttling trailers back and forth from the warehouse to the runway
where the drivers pick them up for store delivery.
This facility was the first building built at the former airport."
A 2004 aerial photo by Craig Mills (used by permission) of the markings still visible on the former Runway 17R.
An October 2004 photo by Chris Ness of the former Stapleton tower, which remains standing.
Chris Ness reported in October 2004 that "United's headquarters is still there (for now)
as is one of the old parking decks & a number of the old commercial buildings.
The runways seem to be mostly going for housing."
A 2005 picture by Craig Mills looking east at the site of Stapleton Airport.
Craig observed, “You can't tell that there were three runways to the right (south) of the control tower (center of the pic) anymore.
Even the north/south parallel runways (17s/35s) are hard to distinguish anymore on the left side of the photo.
They're making big changes to the old airport layout now.
Soon, only the tower will hint that a major airport once sat on that land.”
Dennis Heap reported in 2006 that a control tower previously used at Stapleton by United Airlines for ground control
had been relocated to the Front Range Airport.
He reported, “We were working on a plan to use the tower cab as a line-of-sight tower,
until we identified funding for a permanent tower - we then abandoned the line-of-sight idea.”
See also:
http://milehifield.topcities.com/main.html
http://www.stapletondenver.com/history/earlyyears_20s-40s.asp
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