St Louis Airport (STL) is one of the most historic airports in the United States. It was at Lambert-St Louis International Airport (STL) that Theodore Roosevelt became the first American President to take a plane flight. The field was also the location of the world's first parachute jump. (Web, 1)
In June 1920, Major Lambert was not only a man with a dream, but also one with great foresight and generosity. His vision enabled St. Louis to become a key in the growing aviation industry. What many would have viewed as an ordinary hayfield, on June 18, 1920, became a 170 acre airfield. At his own expense, he developed the airfield by clearing, grading, and draining the land and erecting hangars.
Eight years later, Lambert's airfield was a base for passenger and freight service.
On May 12, 1927, Col. Charles Lindbergh departed St. Louis for New York to begin his historic non-stop solo flight to Paris, France. About this time, Lambert Field was dubbed "The New Union Station of St. Louis." However, the City of St. Louis had yet to purchase the field as a municipal airport.
In November 1927, Major Lambert offered Mayor Victor Miller and the City Administration, Lambert Airfield for $68,000, the price he had paid for the field alone, even though improvements had been made to the field. The additional acreage was obtained through a passage of a $2 million bond issue. Prior to the passage of the bond issue, Major Lambert agreed to lease the airfield to the city for fifteen months for a total of $1. Finally, on February 7, 1928, the city accepted his generous offer, contingent upon the passage of the airport bond issue. Lambert - St. Louis Municipal Airport became the first municipally owned airport in the country.
Lambert's first passenger terminal was constructed for Robertson Airlines, which featured St. Louis to New Orleans service.................
