--Photos and article submitted by Ken Mortensen.
In the late 1940s several Junction City pilots befriended the Ritter brothers who offered the use of a forty-acre plot three miles west on KS 18 (just south of the present-day high school). Affectionately referred to as “windy knob”. It had three runways of about 1200 to 1400 feet. This served as Junction City’s airport for about three years.
In 1949, a new City Manager, Basgall, saw a need for a city airport. In 1950 pasture land was condemned for airport use only and 75 years ago on October 15, 1950 the airport official opened. They were able to obtain federal and state funding to build the current airport called 3JC (in FAA nomenclature). Bill Price assisted with some ideas for the airport as well as seeding the runways from a homemade spreader in his Piper J-4. As the development of the airport grew, Bill was asked to be the airport manager. He was already working for the US Postal Dept. and was not able to accept employment with another government entity. So, Jim’s wife Mable was asked to be the manager when it opened, which also happened to be her birthday. At the opening, the airport had three grass runways, 2 of 2400 feet and the 18-36 runway was 3600 feet in length. The terminal building was built in 1954 and very similar as seen today. The maintenance building, where the medivac Life Star helicopter is currently, was also completed.
Harvey Elton, owner of a paint and glass shop on N. Adams, built the first long hanger that was all open bays at the time. Clarence Day, which owned a cleaning shop on N. Washington built an enclosed building, currently used by Jeremy Gorman. During the 1970’s several other T hangers were built by the city and later sold to individuals.
The airport needed a mechanic and flight instructor so Bill who was a master auto mechanic stepped up. Charlie Wood of Clay Center helped him obtain his A&E, while agricultural pilot, CJ Tolliver helped him obtain his Commercial and Instructors certificates.
The summer of 1951 brought a big flood, and 3JC was one of only a few airports able to stay open during that period. The army relocated several airplanes from the Fort Riley Flying Club. Numerous local pilots flew mercy missions including the air drop of diabetic and other medicines. They also dropped food items to rural families as well as food and medicines for cattle. It was a very active summer.
Around 1956, Bill was getting burned out trying to balance a civilian job and 6-8 hours daily at the airport and weekends fulfilling aircraft owners’ mechanical needs. Jim and Mable turned over airport management to Rodney Ratts. In time, Jim Putney, Sr. who had taken over the agricultural operation, most instruction and mechanical work became the airport manager. Clarence Freeman followed as airport manager and began working the main shop when Putney moved his operation to a different hanger. The airport was renamed Freeman Field as homage to Clarence and efforts at 3JC. Ron Nordt served as airport manager and occupied the “big” hanger on the north side of the parking lot. Marvin Hornbostel, a civilian Ft Riley helicopter mechanic, began doing maintenance at the airport and later became the next airport manager.
At one time 3JC was known as the most convenient airport in the area. Just a long walk and you could be in the heart of the city. Now Freeman Field is in the heart of the city. No longer on the outskirts of town, but land-locked. It is still very active with pilot instruction, aircraft maintenance, construction, and restoration, as well as having Life Star, Civil Air Patrol and Experimental Aircraft Association based there. The airport has served many civilian, businesses, and military aircraft over the years and continues to do so.
Information provided by Marvin Hornbostel and James H Price, CFI, etc. son of Bill and Mable Price.