Iowa City Airport – Flights Through Time.

In October, 2022, The Iowa City Airport Commission and the Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee put out a call to area artists, inviting them to create an outdoor mural that would help connect the non-aviation community with the Iowa City Municipal Airport – essentially becoming a “Welcome Sign” for visitors coming into Iowa City from the south.

One year later – on October 26, 2023 – the mural – entitled ‘Flights Through Time‘ – was unveiled. Standing 12-feet high and 300-feet long, the mural (see above & below), designed and painted by University of Iowa alum from Des Moines – Jenna Brownlee – can now be seen on the side of the aircraft hangar facing South Riverside Drive, depicting Iowa City’s 100+ years of aviation history and airport contributions.

Jenna Brownlee, from Des Moines, is a painter and muralist. After studying at the Des Moines Art Center, she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and Entrepreneurship Certificate from the University of Iowa. She worked as a graphic designer for 10 years and is now a full-time, independent artist. She is the 2023 Des Moines Arts Festival Featured Artist and is represented by Liz Lidgett Gallery + Design.

Did you know? Iowa City hosted one of the earliest commercial airports in the country – serving as one of the strategic stops in America’s first cross-country air mail route. As a matter of fact, today, Iowa City’s airport – which first opened in 1918 – is the oldest airstrip west of the Mississippi River that’s still in its original location – with many of the early pioneers of flight landing here – including Wiley Post, Jack Knight, Charles Lindbergh, and Will Rogers. Read more here.

“Flights Through Time” commemorates and celebrates the history of aviation in Iowa City – from its beginnings with the flight of Tom Baldwin’s Red Devil in 1910 to today’s aircraft commonly seen at the Iowa City Municipal Airport. Below, let’s walk you through each section of Jenna Brownlee’s 300-foot long mural…

**Did you know?** On **October 13, 1910** – the very first “successful” flight in the state of Iowa occurred in Iowa City. **Captain Tom Baldwin** brought his aeroplane – **The Red Devil** – to town for a three-day flying demonstration – an event that brought hundreds of curious spectators to the Farmer’s Fall Festival held at the Iowa City fairgrounds. Read more here.

**Did you know?** In **1918**, an open plot of farm land – a cow pasture owned by **W.J. Benjamin** – became a popular landing spot for any young soul who was brave enough to take a bi-plane up into the sky. Benjamin’s land – today’s **Iowa City Airport** – was popular for local pilots, you see, because – unlike much of Iowa City – it was flat as a pancake, and clear of trees and obstructions. Read more here.

**Did you know?** On **January 8, 1920** – Iowa City became the only stop during the very first air mail flight between **Chicago and Omaha** – transporting 400 pounds of U.S. mail and a slab of beef needed for a big Omaha banquet honoring General John Pershing. On the return trip, the pilot, **Walter J. Smith**, had the privilege of flying a live 10-pound piglet – an Iowa hog – to be served at a banquet at the Congress Hotel in Chicago! Read more here.

**Did you know?** On **July 1, 1927** – the **first commercial passenger flight** came into Iowa City. The event was covered “from inside the plane” by **Jane Eads** – a 20-year old reporter, and the sole passenger, from The Cook County (Chicago) Herald newspaper. The flight from Maywood, Illinois was on a single-engine Boeing mail and passenger biplane. The trip was uneventful – although Eads confessed later that during the landing in Iowa City, she actually thought the plane was crashing! *Read more here.*

**Did you know?** Over a three-year period **(1942-1944)**, 2,500 pilots were trained here in Iowa City – with many joining the war effort in the Pacific, helping America win the war. Yes, the **U.S. Navy Pre-Flight Training School** came to SUI during WWII, working alongside Iowa City airport manager – Paul B. Shaw – and his esteemed pilot training team. Read more here.

**Did you know?** In the **1950’s & 60’s**, the Iowa City Airport transitioned away from commercial flights – which moved north to Cedar Rapids – becoming an airport specializing in private aircraft needs. E.K. Jones and his family were key in saving the airport by starting **Iowa City Flying Service** – which provided charter services to the University of Iowa and area businesses.

**Did you know?** In **2018**, the **Iowa City Airport** celebrated its 100th birthday, and today – under the management of Jet Air of Galesburg, Illinois – the airport conducts approximately 36,000 flight operations annually. *It’s estimated that the IC airport generates approximately $11.2 million for the local economy every year!*

*Click here to visit the Iowa City Airport’s Facebook page and see Jenna Brownlee’s video of her striking mural.*

***June 8, 2018 – The Little Village Magazine helps celebrate the Iowa City Airport’s 100th Anniversary.***

Learn more about the Iowa City Airport by visiting its website, or checking out its Facebook page. Thanks, Jenna Brownlee, for your beautiful mural. It’s not only striking in design but a great reminder of the rich heritage found within the history of our Iowa City airport!

On July 1, 1976, The Iowa City Press-Citizen published a special 76-page Bicentennial edition. In that edition there were articles and pictures related to stories found on this page. Click here to check it out.