Founded in 1942 by Charles Huston Jr. and Brinton H. Hamman, the airfield south of Mount Union began as a wartime flying center and later operated through the Mount Union Aviation Corporation. Robert Saxe owned it by approximately 1959–1960 and retained it until selling the property to Joseph “Joe” Smith in 1984. Smith restored and renamed the field, then willed it to his friend David DeWolf upon his death in 1990. DeWolf remained associated with the airport until the Mount Union Fire Company purchased it for a reported $300,000 in 2002. Regular airport operations eventually ended, but the grounds began a second life as a setting for benefits, concerts and community events.
Charles Huston Jr. and Brinton H. Hamman founded the airfield during the opening months of 1942. Newspaper accounts show a completed hangar, windsock, Civil Air Patrol activity and a new Piper Cub. The Mount Union Aviation Corporation later operated a flight school, trained veterans and hosted major public aviation programs.
When Saxe sold the airport in 1984, contemporary reporting stated that he had owned it for more than 25 years. That places his ownership by approximately 1959, although the exact deed date remains under review. The field continued serving local pilots and became a base for Civil Air Patrol searches.
Smith purchased the property from Saxe in 1984, cleared and restored the underused field and renamed it Huntingdon County Airport in 1985. He extended the runway and moved the privately owned facility toward licensed public service.
After Smith died in 1990, his will transferred the airport to his friend and estate executor David DeWolf. County and state records continued to identify the privately owned field as a public-use airport, with DeWolf listed as sponsor in the 2002 statewide airport plan.
The fire company purchased the airport property from DeWolf for a reported $300,000. The large open site offered a new source of support for the volunteer organization through benefits, public gatherings and community events.
Although regular airport operations ended, the runway and surrounding land remained locally useful. The former airfield continues to host festivals, concerts, fundraisers and other public events while preserving the footprint of Mount Union’s aviation history.
On January 15, 1942, The Daily News described Mount Union as an “air-minded community” and reported that local pilots were enrolling in the newly organized Civil Air Patrol for national defense. Those named were Earl Andrews, William Kerr, Brinton H. Hamman, Charles Huston Jr., Mrs. Earl Andrews, Carolyn Hudson, David Knox, Casey Knox, Dr. Martin Katz, Joseph Shapiro, William Caldwell, Roy Hudson, Frank Oppel, Robert Workman, Harold Myers and Dr. Robert Fleming. The newspaper incorrectly printed Hamman’s name as “William Hammond.” The article explained that CAP pilots would conduct scouting, observation and patrol work, ferry aircraft, search for missing planes and train air spotters.
A February 1943 Daily News airport column confirms Brinton H. Hamman and Charles Huston Jr. as co-owners. Huston, himself a pilot, had entered military service and was stationed at Aberdeen, Maryland; Hamman continued operating the airport during his absence. The column described an active community of local pilots, trainees and Civil Air Patrol members. It also reported that the airport assisted the Interceptor Command after an object was dropped from an Army aircraft, with instructor Lester Gashaw and the local observation post’s chief observer joining the search.
Lester Jonas Gashaw (1905–1982) became one of the field’s central aviation figures. His obituary records that he instructed aviation students at Pennsylvania State College during World War II, later served with the Civil Air Patrol and operated both the Mount Union Airport and the Stone Inn near Shirleysburg. Contemporary newspaper coverage independently places Gashaw at the local field from at least 1942 through 1954—first as a flight instructor and later as airport manager.
When Hamman died in 1948, The Daily News identified him as a co-founder of the original Mount Union Airport and the serving secretary-treasurer of the Mount Union Aviation Corporation. Hamman held the rank of second lieutenant in Group 7, 72nd Squadron, Pennsylvania Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. His community service included 22 years with the Mount Union Fire Department—a notable early connection between local aviation and the volunteer fire service, decades before the fire company acquired the later airport property.
By July 1946, the Mount Union Aviation Corporation had been approved as a primary, commercial and flight-instructor school for veteran flight training. A corporation advertisement announced that classes were forming at Mount Union Airport for veterans who wanted to begin or continue learning to fly.
Applicants first needed a certificate of eligibility and a certified copy of their discharge papers. Mount Union-area veterans were directed to Melvin Diven at the Municipal Building, while eligible applicants could then apply directly at the airport. The advertisement listed the airport’s telephone number as 509-R-5.
On Sunday, June 15, 1947, an estimated 6,500 people watched a five-hour air show at Mount Union Airport. Spectators filled the airfield and watched from the nearby highway and surrounding ridges. The Juniata Chapter of the National Aeronautic Association sponsored the program, and Charles Huston Jr. and Brinton H. Hamman made the airfield available for the event. The newspaper again misspelled Hamman’s name as “William Hammond.”
The United States Army sent a Mustang, Thunderbolt and AT-6 from Middletown Air Depot for a half-hour demonstration. The United States Navy sent five Corsairs from Willow Grove Naval Training Station for a formation-flying exhibition. Civilian highlights included Joe Reedy of Greensburg performing in a 65-horsepower Piper Cub, Jack Kratzer of Lewistown flying aerobatics in a Stearman trainer and Harrisburg parachutist Dick Cooper completing his 356th and 357th jumps.
The Mount Union Fire Company placed its fire truck and ambulance on the grounds, supplied special police to manage the crowd and parking, and served refreshments. This is the earliest direct evidence located so far of the fire company supporting a major public event at the airfield it would eventually purchase in 2002.
On October 17, 1954, 26-year-old James Alfred Bard of Germany Valley was critically burned when the Piper J-3 Cub he was flying struck a utility pole and electrical lines near the northeast corner of the 3,000-foot airport shortly after takeoff. The aircraft fell into the airport parking area near the hangar and burned. Bard died at J. C. Blair Memorial Hospital early the following morning.
Ralph Booher of Shirleysburg entered the burning wreckage and pulled Bard free, suffering burns to his face, neck, head, arms and hands. The newspaper reported that Booher and Bard had learned to fly at the same time under airport manager Lester Gashaw. The destroyed 1941 aircraft was owned by the Mount Union Aviation Corporation.
During Robert Saxe’s ownership era, Mount Union Airport supported a major, multi-base Civil Air Patrol search after four well-known Mount Union-area men failed to return from Johnstown. Maurice “Bud” Getz, the airport’s manager and the pilot of the single-engine Piper Comanche, was accompanied by Robert J. McKnight, Michael Roll and Thomas L. Hancock. The four departed Johnstown at 8:16 p.m. on Friday, March 14, intending to return to Mount Union. No flight plan was filed.
Severe snow squalls and gusty conditions affected the region. The aircraft struck snow-covered Babcock Mountain near Ogletown in Somerset County, south of the direct route to Mount Union. Its wreckage was located Sunday afternoon. Contemporary coverage reported that approximately 75 aircraft from four bases participated in the search, including 28 planes operating from Mount Union Airport, while snowmobiles were needed to reach and recover the victims through deep snow.
Robert Saxe flew search missions with Getz’s wife, Louise. The Mount Union Red Cross supported search headquarters with food and coffee, and local pilots joined the operation. The tragedy claimed four local lives and left 13 children without their fathers. It remains one of the most consequential events in the airport’s history.
On August 18, 1979, a Cessna 172M, registration N6630H, crashed into trees while descending near Mount Union. The airplane was traveling from Wellsville, New York, to Altoona on a business flight. Its sole occupant, a 54-year-old private pilot, was killed and the aircraft was destroyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the pilot continued a visual-flight-rules flight into adverse weather. The pilot had approximately 1,525 flight hours but was not instrument-rated. The NTSB identified a low ceiling, fog and high terrain obstructions as contributing factors. Its brief also recorded that a nearby airport owner heard the aircraft pass above the overcast and circle back.
The federal record locates the accident near Mount Union but does not establish that it occurred on the Mount Union Airport property. It is included here as part of the broader aviation history surrounding the local field.
When Joe Smith purchased the airport in 1984, The Daily News reported that seller Robert Saxe had owned the facility for more than 25 years. This places Saxe’s ownership by approximately 1959–1960, although the exact acquisition date still awaits deed confirmation. The airport had fallen into limited use before the sale, making Smith’s first task a substantial cleanup and restoration.
Smith revived the field, renamed it Huntingdon County Airport and moved it from invitation-only private use toward licensed public service. He also coordinated an air show for the Mount Union and Orbisonia-Rockhill fire companies, an early example of the airport serving local emergency organizations.
Smith, age 52, died after the Cessna 150 he was flying crashed during a low-level flight at the airport. The county coroner attributed his death to heart failure complicated by injuries from the crash. Contemporary reporting described Smith as a veteran of both the United States Army and Navy and as the airport’s owner-operator.
Smith’s will left the airport to his friend David DeWolf of Elizabethtown, who also served as executor of the estate. State officials said the ownership change did not have to interrupt airport operations. DeWolf remained associated with the field into 2002, when Pennsylvania’s statewide airport plan listed him as its sponsor.
After Smith’s death, the airport community continued to remember the man who had revived the field. By July 1994, the airport was hosting its fourth annual Joe Smith Memorial Weekend, drawing spectators for skydiving and other aviation activity. The 1994 gathering was marred by the death of parachutist Frank A. Messer of Lancaster following a landing accident. Mount Union and Orbisonia-Rockhill emergency personnel responded.
Pennsylvania’s 2002 capital-budget act itemized $1.2 million for the acquisition and improvement of Huntingdon County Airport. An itemization authorizes a project; it does not by itself prove that the money was released or spent. The airfield instead entered a different chapter when the Mount Union Fire Company acquired the property that year.
The Huston-Hamman Airport already had a completed hangar, windsock, commercial Civil Air Patrol rating and a new 65-horsepower Piper Cub. Sixteen Mount Union pilots were identified as prospective CAP enlistees for national-defense service.
The Mount Union Times reported that the new Mount Union Airport was operating under Brinton H. Hamman and Charles Huston Jr. Caleb Workman completed the first student solo flight from the base.
The Daily News identified Brinton H. Hamman and Charles Huston Jr. as the airport’s co-owners. With Huston in military service, Hamman continued operations while the field supported local pilot training, Civil Air Patrol activity and wartime observation work.
B. H. Hamman, Charles Huston Jr. and flight instructor Lester Gashaw invited the public to an Army Air Corps program at the airfield. The program featured decorated bomber pilot Lt. Frederick A. Brinkley, recruiter Sgt. John W. Wilson and a government motion picture.
The Mount Union Aviation Corporation advertised the airport as an approved primary, commercial and flight-instructor school for veterans. New classes were forming for eligible former service members.
An estimated 6,500 spectators attended a major Army, Navy and civilian air show. The Mount Union Fire Company provided its fire truck, ambulance, special police and refreshments, establishing an early connection between the organization and the airfield.
Brinton H. Hamman died while serving as secretary-treasurer of the Mount Union Aviation Corporation. His obituary credited him as a co-founder of the original Mount Union Airport.
James Alfred Bard died following a Piper Cub crash at the airport. Ralph Booher was burned while rescuing him from the wreckage. The report identified Lester Gashaw as airport manager and the Mount Union Aviation Corporation as owner of the aircraft.
Robert Saxe had acquired Mount Union Airport by approximately this period. The exact deed date remains under review, but the 1984 sale report states that he had owned the field for more than 25 years.
Airport manager Maurice “Bud” Getz and passengers Robert J. McKnight, Michael Roll and Thomas L. Hancock died when Getz’s Piper Comanche struck Babcock Mountain in Somerset County while returning from Johnstown. Mount Union Airport supported the multi-base Civil Air Patrol search, with 28 aircraft reported operating from the local field.
A Cessna 172M traveling from Wellsville, New York, to Altoona crashed into trees near Mount Union in fog and low-cloud conditions. The sole occupant was killed. The NTSB attributed the accident to continued visual flight into adverse weather.
Joseph “Joe” Smith purchased Mount Union Airport from Robert Saxe and began a six-month cleanup and restoration.
Smith renamed the field Huntingdon County Airport. It was initially available by invitation while he pursued the licensing needed to make it a public airport.
The field was licensed as a privately owned, public general-service airport. Smith had extended the runway and was seeking state assistance to pave it.
Joe Smith died following a crash at the airport. His will transferred the property to his friend David DeWolf, who also served as executor of the estate.
DeWolf continued the private-ownership, public-use airport era. County and state planning records still identified the field as the county’s public-use airport, and the 2002 state plan named DeWolf as sponsor.
The Mount Union Fire Company acquired the airport property for a reported $300,000. The acquisition gave the volunteer organization a large open site suited to fundraising and community events.
Regular airport operations ended, but the former runway and surrounding grounds remained useful. The site became commonly known as the Huntingdon County Airfield or Mount Union Airport during public events.
The fire company continues to own the airfield and use it to support emergency-service fundraising. A 2025 benefit concert illustrates how the former transportation property now brings large crowds together for the fire company.
The airport’s story did not simply end with closure. The 2002 purchase converted a declining aviation property into an asset capable of helping finance volunteer fire protection. Its history now links two kinds of public service: regional transportation and community emergency response.