The La Follette Airport was established in 1948

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – A young Bert Loupe was hired as the manager of the Campbell County Airport until someone could be found to operate it. That person was never found. Fifty-five years later, Loupe is still managing the airport. Today he shares some history on the first airfield through Jim Fulbright’s publication of Aviation in Tennessee.

The La Follette Airport was established in February 1948 by East Tennessee aviation pioneer and barnstormer Guy Jones. The 2,200 foot turf strip (pictured above) was located on private property along side of what today is Memorial Drive near where Thermador and Norris Craft Boats are located.

Jones used the field as a branch operation for his Clinton Flying Service during the years of the G.I. Bill Flight Training Program. As a result, many veterans trained at this field. The field included a small hanger and fuel service.

In June 1949, the field was abandoned and reverted back to agricultural use. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/26/2021-6AM-PHOTO COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)