Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport in 1930's

 Phoenix’s “Farm” Airport: Before Sky Harbor Took Off.

Today, Phoenix Sky Harbor is one of the busiest airports in the country. But back in the 1930s, it was surrounded by open land and looked nothing like the massive transportation hub we know today.

In 1935, the City of Phoenix purchased the airport’s 285 acres for $100,000. Because it sat in such an isolated, rural location, Sky Harbor earned the nickname “The Farm.” Imagine arriving there when the surrounding landscape was still largely undeveloped!

As Phoenix grew, so did the airport. New terminals, longer runways, and expanding passenger services reflected the city’s transformation from a smaller agricultural center into a major metropolitan area. What once felt far outside town eventually became part of the heart of the city’s transportation network.

Photo credit: Arizona Historical Society.

Fun Fact

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On July 16, 1935, the City of Phoenix purchased 285 acres of agricultural land that became Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Increasing air travel and rapid population increase together fueled Sky Harbor’s exponential growth. In 1952 the airport served 296,000 passengers. Last year, Sky Harbor handled more than a thousand flights a day and 48.6 million passengers!