Explore KY's Aviation History
Some interesting things have happened as a result of aviation in Kentucky. There are stories of the lives of private and military pilots, airplane crashes, and aviation pioneers.
Aviation has always been important to Kentucky, whether it is used as entertainment, a mode of transportation, or for a military maneuver.
We hope you will enjoy exploring the history of aviation in Kentucky.
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Bowman Field-East
Historical Marker #1901 in Louisville commemorates the importance of Bowman Field and aviation in Kentucky. The need for an airport in Louisville began developing in 1910, when Glenn Curtiss flew a…
Glengary Field/Cool Meadow
Glengarry Field/Cool Meadow Historical Marker #2439 in Fayette County commemorates Glengarry Field/Cool Meadow, the second airport in Lexington. With the development of larger multi-engine aircrafts…
Lexington's First Airport
Historical Marker #2440 in Fayette County commemorates Halley Field, Lexington’s first airport, located on Meadowthorpe Farm. Meadowthorpe was a well-known stock farm owned by Jacob Hostetter. A…
Aviation Pioneer
Historical Marker #1222 in Carter County remembers early aviation innovator Matthew Bacon Sellers. Matthew B. Sellers was born into a family of wealth and privilege. His father, also named Matthew,…
Bowman Field
Historical Marker #1676 in Louisville notes Bowman Field, which is Kentucky’s oldest continuously operated public air field. When one thinks of Louisville airports, Standiford Field quickly comes…
Crash of TWA Flight 128
Historical Marker #2344 in Boone County remembers the tragic crash of TWA Flight 128 on November 20, 1967. Trans World Airlines Flight 128 was a domestic flight scheduled to depart Los Angeles,…
Edward "Eddie" Ward
Historical Marker #2300 in Pine Knot remembers Corporal Edward Ward, the first US soldier named to the military’s new aviation program in 1907. To say that the US military was intrigued with the…
John Paul Riddle
Historical Marker #2251 in Pikeville notes the numerous contributions made to aviation by early airman John Paul Riddle. New inventions bring about opportunities for those willing to think…
Karsner Air Field
Historical Marker #2374 in Monterey notes Owen County’s first airfield, which was started by Harry Clark Karsner following World War II. Harry Clark Karsner had two passions: flying and sharing his…
Roy Martis Chappell, 1921-2002
Historical Marker #2201 in Williamsburg remembers Roy Martis Chappell, who was one of the famous Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. Roy Martis Chappell was born on September 27, 1927, in…Tour curated by: Explore Kentucky History Team