January 22, 1954 – Iowa City’s mayor – Leroy S. Mercer – declares Friday, January 22 as United Air Lines Day – celebrating United’s expanded passenger air service into Iowa City.

Did you know that over one million people fly in and out of the Eastern Iowa Airport – located in Cedar Rapids – each year? Yet, when the original plans for a regional airport were created back in the early-to-mid 1950’s – Iowa City was to be the location for that busy airport!

Designed by Iowa City’s famed architect – Henry L. Fisk – the Iowa City Municipal Airport’s new Administration Building & Terminal opened to the public in June 1953. Today, that same iconic building is in danger of being lost! Our hope is to find a creative way to preserve the past while looking ahead to the future. Come join our efforts!

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This Day In History is an Our Iowa Heritage blog series that offers you a little bit of Iowa trivia from a large selection of stories on our website. Subscribe to this FREE blog and you’ll get a new email from us daily. Click to learn more.

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