Area residents who enjoy flying in and out of one of the oldest, and dearest local airfields in southern California gathered Saturday for the grand re-opening of the terminal at the Long Beach Airport.
Local officials gathered with residents Saturday to celebrate the completion of an $18 million renovation project, which is part of an overall $125 million improvement project.
For many, it was a trip back in time as the terminal itself was refurbished with its 1940s motif in mind, as dancers dressed similar to what flight attendants wore back then.
“Today, we mark the revival of one of Long Beach’s most cherished landmarks,” Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement.
In addition, he said the airport was releasing a series of posters to commemorate the airport.
“These commemorative posters showcase how our beloved and iconic Long Beach Airport has played a vital role over the past century in connecting our community to the world, fostering economic growth and serving as a source of inspiration for pioneering aviators,” said Richardson.
Photo by David Smithson
“This project — which uncovered classic building features, unseen by the public in decades— ensures that our beloved Historic Terminal will continue to be a source of pride and enjoyment for generations to come,” he said.
Megan Kerr, a Long Beach Council member representing its 5th district said the historic terminal’s architecture and “masterpiece” floor mosaic, are timeless works of art that mirror the timelessness of the airport.
“Honoring our past while embracing the future ensures that the oldest municipal airport in California retains that title for another century or more,” Kerr suggested.
Now that the building is fully restored, airport officials have announced they will soon apply for the building’s inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.
For Los Alamitos residents, the 100-year-old airport has shared architectural genealogy with the existing Joint Forces Training Base.
Photo by David Smithson
Saturday seemed like a bit of time travel for visitors to the terminal building of the Long Beach Airport as officials gathered to celebrate the long-awaited reopening of the historic terminal building, which has been undergoing extensive renovations.
Long Beach Airport, originally known as Daugherty Field, opened in 1924 and was established as a municipal airport. Soon, however, the facility became an important site for the burgeoning aviation industry in Southern California, including the Douglas Aircraft Company.
Back in the day, when Long Beach was still a major hub of the U.S. Navy, the Long Beach airfield served the public and the military.
During World War II, the airport was used extensively for military purposes. The nearby bas in Los Alamitos opened in 1942, operating as a Naval Reserve Training Facility.
The military presence at both locations contributed to the defense infrastructure of Southern California during the war.
The terminal was opened to the public in 1942. Designed by architects William Horace Austin and Kenneth Smith Wing, it boasted elements of the 1930s Streamline Moderne style along with geometric abstraction.
Sources say that in addition to a seismic safety upgrade, the terminal has finally reopened. It has been closed since February of 2023 for renovations.
As part of the project, the classic Art Deco entrance was restored as part of the 1941 design elements, the LGB project restored the site’s original mosaic artwork.
The sweeping mosaic was originally created by artist Grace Clements and includes 1.6 million tiles. Authorities say the artwork was commissioned by the WPA, a now-defunct public agency.
The artwork depicts much about life in Long Beach and ties the airport to the country’s worst depression, which was ultimately mitigated by the Works Progress Administration.
The agency, created by Congress at the direction of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, commissioned local artists as well as millions of construction jobs to restart the nation’s economy.
Photo by David Smithson
“At Long Beach Airport we are committed to finding creative ways to preserve our rich history, and this poster series is a fun way to celebrate our past while we set our sights on reaching new heights for the future,” said Airport Director Cynthia Guidry.
“I’m proud to be a part of both the inherited legacy of LGB and how we are recognized today as one of the best airports in the country and the gateway of choice for Southern California.”