Nassau Airpark

Nassau Airpark, ca. 1940s.

Historical Overview

Following World War II, the personal aviation industry saw a significant boom. A surplus of military aircraft, an influx of trained pilots fresh out of the war, and advancements in aircraft design lead to a rise in small, accessible planes manufactured by companies like Piper, Cessna, and Beechcraft. Moreover, the G.I. Bill of 1944 enabled veterans to pursue pilot training at the government's expense.[1]

Amid this environment, Public Flyers, Inc., an air freight company headed by Captain J, Cameron Goodwin of American Airlines, established the "Nassau Airpark" in West Windsor around 1940.[2] This small airport, consisting of two perpendicular unpaved turf airstrips (one about 2100 feet long; the other about 1900 feet) was located on the northwest side of Route 1, between the present-day MarketFair shopping center and Princeton Country Club (see image at the bottom of this page).[3] Public Flyers advertised "government-approved airplane instructions" with a free car service to shuttle students to the property. It also provided passenger services, flying customers to anywhere (within reason) on their "luxurious twin-engined Beechcraft to anywhere YOU desire."[4]

The airpark also hosted the "Princeton Flying Club" - a group of personal aircraft owners and enthusiasts, established in 1946 and associated with Princeton University. The Princeton Flying Club, for its part, also stressed opportunities for "those interested to study mechanics, meteorology, navigation and instrument techniques."[5]

Ad from Oct. 14, 1946 "Princeton Herald."

In its May 10, 1946 edition, the Princeton Herald called the Nassau Airpark "one of the largest privately owned airports in the east, with a number of privately owned planes in its hangars."[6] Its earliest manager was John LeBailley, and instructions were led by Earl H. Williams and George Christensen. The airport was also the official dealer for Aeronca Champions and Chiefs (plane models).[7]

The Nassau Airpark was formally dedicated on July 14, 1946 at a four-hour air show, sponsored by the Princeton Lions Club. Over 5,000 people attended, and proceeds were given to the Princeton Hospital. Daring acrobatics by nationally-known stunt pilots, speeches by government and industry representatives, parachute performances, clowns, model aircraft, helicopters, and more rounded out this event.[8] "The Air Age is Here!" exclaimed one advertisement.[9] Over 5,000 people attended, and proceeds were donated to the Princeton Hospital. There was much hope for this facility, as demonstrated in a speech by Police Commissioner Joseph J. Redding: "In this air age a community without an airport will be as much at a disadvantage as a community without a railroad ... what you see here are the first steps in the creation of a real park in the true meaning of the world ... the air park will be a natural asset to the beauty of our country side ... and when at last the plans are turned into reality, you people ... will find on the lawns of Nassau Airpark your grandstand seat at the greatest show of all - the coming Air Age."[10]

T. Whit Savidge and passenger Mary Marshall, from Apr. 29, 1956 "Town Topics."

However, despite these lofty plans, Public Flyers, Inc. soon went into bankruptcy.[11] In 1947, the Nassau Airpark was purchased by Harry Gordon of Clark, New Jersey. Harry also headed the company operating the Westfield Airport in Rahway. Harry's plans focused on minor repairs, installation of a lighting system on the field for night flying, and the installation of fifteen more individual hangers.[12] However, by the next year, the airport had been marked as out-of-use.[13]

The following year (1949), another aviation enthusiast named Thomas Whit Savidge, and his wife, "Dottie," restarted operations of the Nassau Airpark.[14],[15] Savidge, a former Army instructor,[16] offered lessons,[17] hosted a parachuting club,[18] and generally managed the airpark in a more controlled fashion.[19] He also opened a golf driving range on the property - a portent of things to come.[20]

Around 1959/60, the Nassau Airpark closed after about a generation of operation.[21] In its place was constructed several different facilities. Much of the site became the Princeton Country Club, which in 1965 became part of the Mercer County Parks commission and, despite its name, is in West Windsor.[22] The rest have long been developed into various shopping centers and apartments.

If you hear the buzz of a personal plane in the sky, look up! This was the sight that an aviation enthusiast at the Nassau Airpark may have seen, all those many years ago, during the great "Air Age."

T. Whit Savidge's business card.

Nassau Airpark airstrip location over 2024 aerial.

Return to Transportation

Bibliography

“Wings - The Postwar Years (1945-1958).” Aeronautics - The Postwar Years (1945-1958). Accessed January 7, 2025. https://web.eng.fiu.edu/allstar/wings6.htm#:~:text=The%20postwar%20years%20also%20saw,directly%20related%20to%20this%20growth.
“Princeton Nassau Airpark is Helpful.” Princeton Herald. June 6, 1953.
“West Windsor Aerial Photography Composite Map, 1953.” Map. Historical Society of West Windsor - Map Archives. West Windsor, NJ, 1953.
Public Flyers, Inc. (1945, November 5). New Reduced Regulations Now Make it Easier for You to Learn to Fly. Princeton Herald. Princeton.
“Flying Club Announces Agreement on Rates and Transportation with Nassau Airpark.” Daily Princetonian. March 11, 1946.
“Nassau Airpark Becoming Important Air Center.”
Ibid.
“Nassau Airpark is Dedicated; Huge Crowd Attends Air Show.” Princeton Herald. July 19, 1946.
Public Flyers, Inc. (1946, July 14). The Air Age Is Here! Town Topics. Princeton.
“Nassau Airpark is Dedicated; Huge Crowd Attends Air Show.” Princeton Herald. July 19, 1946.
“Nassau Airpark Opens Under New Manager.” July 20. 1949.
“New Owner of Air Park Plans Expanded Service.” Princeton Herald. March 7, 1947.
“Plane Attempts Landing, Crashes at Nassau Air Park.” Princeton Herald. July 7, 1948.
“Nassau Airpark Opens Under New Manager.” July 20. 1949.
Freeman, Paul. “Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: New Jersey: Trenton Area.” Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields. Accessed January 7, 2025. https://members.tripod.com/airfields_freeman/NJ/Airfields_NJ_Trenton.htm. F
“Nassau Airpark Reopens Under New Management.” Princeton Herald. April 23, 1949.
“Princeton Nassau Airpark is Helpful.” Princeton Herald. June 6, 1953.
“Round Up: Around Town.” Town Topics. April 20, 1958.
“Nassau Airpark Opens Under New Manager.” July 20. 1949.
“Princeton Nassau Airpark is Helpful.” Princeton Herald. June 6, 1953.
“The Changing Scene: Vast Country Club Planned.” Town Topics. May 17, 1959.
“Welcome to Princeton Country Club.” Mercer County Golf, June 30, 2023. https://golfmercercounty.com/princeton-country-club/.