Posted in Arizona History, State Pride March 13, 2023 by

Few People Know Arizona Was Home To The First International Airport In America

There are so many fascinating fun facts about Arizona to learn. One of our favorites is the fact that our state was home to the first international airport in America! The Douglas Municipal Airport is a historical treasure beloved by members of the local community. Its backstory is truly remarkable.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Douglas Municipal Airport (DGL) was America's first-ever international airport.
Wikimedia Commons/Karen Fasimpaur
The airport opened in 1928 and was added to the Register in 1975.
The airport, currently owned by the City of Douglas (but up for sale), is located just 800 feet north of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Wikimedia Commons/United States Geological Survey (USGS) - USGS via TopoQuest http://www.topoquest.com/map.php?lat=31.34250&lon=-109.50639&datum=nad83&zoom=4&map=sat1m&coord=d&mode=zoomin&size=l
At one point, it was the only airport in the country where one could land their aircraft before taking a taxi straight into Mexico (after passing through customs and border security).
Additionally, the airport operated as a staging post for the inaugural Transcontinental U.S. women's air races in which the likes of Amelia Earhart and Bobbi Trout competed in.
Google/Bryan Martyn
The facility even offered regular airline service during the 1930s. While the airport isn't currently served by any commercial airlines, it is very important for the Douglas community, providing a landing pad for life-saving medevac helicopters in an area with no nearby emergency medical facilities.
Nearby, the Bisbee Douglas International Airport was constructed several decades later during WWII.
Wikimedia Commons/United States Army Air Forces - http://www.aafcollection.info/items/detail.php?key=17&pkg=ls!title!!17!1!title!up!20 USAAF Publication
Formerly known as the Douglas Army Airfield, this county-owned airport was a U.S. Army Air Forces installation that conducted advanced training. When the war ended, the facility was converted into a civilian airport.
Bisbee-Douglas International Airport, 6940 N Air Terminal Rd, Douglas, AZ 85607, USA
Douglas is home to numerous other historic buildings, from old homes to hotels and everything in between.
Wikimedia Commons/Karen Fasimpaur
For example, the Douglas-Williams House Museum (now home to the Douglas Historical Society) was home to the son of Douglas' founder and features period rooms that offer insight into the town's rich history.
Douglas Historical Society, 1001 D Ave, Douglas, AZ 85607, USA
Another famous building in Douglas is the beautiful Gadsden Hotel, named after the Gadsden Purchase and opened in 1907.
Wikimedia Commons/Karen Fasimpaur
The five-story, 160-room hotel is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it is the epitome of splendor.
The Gadsden Hotel, 1046 G Ave, Douglas, AZ 85607, USA

For more information about the Douglas Municipal Airport, please visit the official City of Douglas website.

Did you know Arizona was home to the first international airport in America? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Don’t forget to check out our previous article for more things to do in Douglas.

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Address: Douglas Municipal Airport (DGL), 3200 E 10th St, Douglas, AZ 85607, USA