Morgan Field was a Airport located in Albion, MI and established in June 1946. Morgan Field was not yet depicted on the June 1946 Milwaukee Sectional Chart.
According to the article “Morgan Field” by Frank Passic in the 11/27/94 Morning Star (courtesy of Bill Grasha), “Albion’s airport once consisted of a 40-acre site, developed by Stanley Morgan in June 1946. A licensed pilot & instructor, he leased the land from farmer Etril Haggit for approximately $1,500 / year.” The airport was located southwest of M-99 & old U.S.12. “The airport’s main office & hangar was located on Finley Road. Morgan gave flying lessons & promoted the sport in the Albion area. There were 2 runways. The main one ran northeast/southwest, and the secondary one north/south. The western edge of the property was where the County Lanes bowling alley sits today.” [1]
Frank continued, “There was a flying club called the Skyrangers, consisting of about 20 flying enthusiasts. The group owned a 1946 Piper Cub, a 2-seat plane. President of the club was Albion postmaster Frank Sibal, Secretary was William Bunn, with Hubert Gaskell as Treasurer.”
The earliest dated depiction which has been located of Morgan Field was in the 1947 MI Airport Directory (courtesy of Bill Grasha).
It depicted Morgan Field as having 2 unpaved runways, measuring 2,100' north/south & 1,900' northeast/southwest.
An office was depicted on the northeast corner.
Frank continued, “There were 8 planes based at Morgan Field, which included 2 light craft assigned to the MI National Guard’s 943rd Field Artillery Battalion under the command of Lt. Colonel Noble Moore. The Guard paid $480 annually in rent to use the facilities, which helped in the overall rent costs of the land.”
The earliest dated depiction which has been located of Morgan Field was in the 1947 MI Airport Directory (courtesy of Bill Grasha).
It depicted Morgan Field as having 2 unpaved runways, measuring 2,100' north/south & 1,900' northeast/southwest.
An office was depicted on the northeast corner.
According to the article “Morgan Field” by Frank Passic in the 11/27/94 Morning Star (courtesy of Bill Grasha),
“In March 1950, Mr. Morgan was unable to individually bear the burden of the rent costs for the land, then amounting to $1,500 a year.
So the local Skyrangers began a subscription drive & raised the money themselves.
Albion’s 5 major industries donated funds, as well as numerous merchants.
Morgan continued to operate the facility as its manager on a sub-lease basis.”
Frank continued, “On year later however in March 1951,
it was announced that the Skyrangers were unable to raise all the funds to rent the land for another year, and that the Morgan Field would be closed.
The club announced it was selling its plane to pay off a $300 indebtedness on its lease.
Apparently, local industries were able to pay their share of the $1,500 annual rental price, but donations from merchants fell short.
The Skyrangers also announced that they were disbanding their club at the time.
Pleas by the city to keep the field open failed. The National Guard planes were moved to Brooks Field in Marshall.
Skyranger officials remarked at the time that few people realized the extent to which Morgan Field had been used
by industrial executives & salesmen coming to visit Albion manufacturing plant offices.
At least 2 planes a day were arriving for that purpose during the spring, summer, and fall seasons.”
Frank continued, “Amberton village, the Bowling Alley, and other enterprises were built on the former airport site, and this unique opportunity was lost forever.
Industrialists coming to Albion now have to fly into other airports & make a half-hour drive to get here.”
Morgan Field was no longer depicted on the 1958 USGS topo map.
No trace remained of Morgan Field in a 1998 USGS aerial photo.