Arizona's first international airport was in Douglas. Now, preservationists are working to keep it

Published: Monday, November 28, 2022 - 1:11pm
Updated: Tuesday, November 29, 2022 - 8:28am
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Several of Arizona’s airports are going to be busy for the next month or so with holiday travel. But the state’s first international airport was not in Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, or anywhere else in the Valley. 

It was, in fact, in Douglas — right along the Arizona-Mexico border in Cochise County.

And Cindy Hayostek says in its heyday, it was a big deal — hosting air races and famous aviators like Amelia Earhart. But now, preservationists are working to make sure it sticks around.

Hayostek is a writer and works with the Douglas Historical Society. 

The Show spoke with her and started the conversation by talking about how the city built its airport not long after aviation became a thing in this country.

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