Sheehan Field (Airport)

As early as 1926, Mr. Frank P. Sheehan started an airplane factory; ,or what he intended to develop into such a factory, on a small tract of land a short distance east of Owensboro adjoining what is known as the old Hunter Bell property. Unfortunately this project, in its mere beginning, came to a sad and sudden end. Only three or four planes had been made when in the spring of 1927. Mr. Sheehan, flying perhaps the fourth plane constructed, met a tragic death. His plane, to the horror of a number of observers, plunged into Frederica Street a short distance south of the Carnegie Public Library. He was the first, and perhaps the only Owensboro victim of an airplane accident.

Mr. Sheehan's death terminated the incipient factory enterprise, and there was no related activity at the site for several years. But in 1933 the property (29 acres), having passed into the hands of the Kentucky Aircraft Corporation, of which Mr. E. L. Newton was the principal officer, was leased by that corporation to the City of Owensboro for use and development as a municipal airport.

After several others had held the position, Mr. L. S. Cox, Jr., was employed by the city as manager of the airport. This was about 1940, during the administration of Mayor Harry C. Smith. About two years later, Mr. Walter G. Hoagland, Jr., became associated with Mr. Cox and they have continued to operate as a partnership under the name of Owensboro Aviation. Then in the fall of 1943, the Kentucky Aircraft Corporation sold all its assets, including the tract above mentioned, to this partnership. in October 1942, the city, acting through Mayor Fred Weir and Commissioner Glenn Lovern, bought from Junius Bell and E. C. Bell 127.62 acres of land adjoining