bowman army air field

8/4/2019 Bowman Army Air Field

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NF S Form 10-900(Rev. 8-86)

0M B No . 1024-0018

United States Department o f th e InteriorNational Park Service

National Register ofHistoric PlacesRegistration Form

R E C E I V E D

O C T13 1 9 8 8NATIONALREGISTER

This formis fo r use in nominating or requ esting determinations ofeligibilityfor individual properties or districts.Se e instructionsin Guidelinesfo r Comp leting National RegisterForms (National RegisterBulletin16). Completeeach item bymarking"x" in th e appropriatebox or by enteringthe requested information.If an item does not applyto the property being docum ented, enter"N/A"fo r "notapplicable."For functions,styles, materials,and areas of significance,enter only the categoriesan d subcategories listedin th e instructions.For additionalspace use continuationsheets(Form 10-900a).Type al l entries.

1. Name of Propertyhistoric name Bowman Field Historic Districtother names/site number

2. Locationstreet & number Taylorsville Road and Peewee Reese Boulevardcity, town Louisville

N A

N A

not for publicationvicinity

state Kentucky code K Y county Jefferson code 111 zip code

3. ClassificationOwnershipof PropertyI I privateP H public-localI Ipublic-StateI I public-Federal

Category of PropertyCH building(s)GO districtI I site1 I structureI I object

Number of Resourceswithin PropertyContributing

3Noncontributing

0 buildings____ ites____ tructures____ bjects

0 TotalName of related mu ltiple propertylisting:

n/aNumber of contributingresources previously

4. State/FederalAgency Certification

As the designated authority underth e National HistoricPreservation Act of1966, as amended, I hereby certify thatthis

H ominationE H request fo r determination ofeligibilitymeets the d ocum entation standa rds for registering propertiesin th eNational Register of Historic Placesan d meets the proceduraland professional requirements set forthin 36 CFR Par t6 0.In m y opinion, thepropertyH ej0t LJdoes not meet the National Register criteria.C D See continuationsheet. .

iV (./// Ltf^ I 0 -! & ' WSignatureof certifying official DaVld I/. Morgan, State Historic

NA Preservation OfficerState or Federal agency and bureau

Date

In m y opinion, the property CDmeets didoes no t mee t the National Register criteria.NA

Signature of commenting orother officialN A

State or Federal agency and bureau

I_ Se e continuationsheet.

Date

5 . NationalPark Service CertificationI, Hereby, certify thatthis propertyis :

-B_Jentered in th e National Register.I I ISee continuationsheet.

HHdetermined eligiblefor the NationalRegister. I ISee continuationsheet.

I I determined not eligiblefo r th eNational Register.

I Iremoved from the National Register.[H] other, (explain:)___________

Signature of theKeeper Date of Action


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6. Function or UseHistoric Functions (enter categories from instructions)

t r a n s p o r t a t i o n ; a i r - r e l a t e d _ _ _ _ _ _Current Functions (enter categories from instructions)

transpnrtati' nn; airrelated______

7. DescriptionArchitectural Classification(enter categories from instructions)

Modern movement : Ar t Moderne

Materials (enter categoriesfrom instructions)

foundation concretewalls brick ______

concreteroofother limestone, metal

Describe present and historic physical appearance.

The Bowman F ie ld H i s t o r i c Dis t r i c t inc ludes th ree ad jacen t bu i ld ings re la ted b y his to ry,func t ion , and p h y s i c a l p r o x i m i t y. They a re t h e a i r p o r t Adminis t ra t ion Bui ld ing ( 1 9 2 9 ;1936-37) , t he C u r t i s s F l y i n g S e r v i c e H a n g a r ( 1 9 2 9 ) , and t h e A r m y A ir C o r p s H a n g a r ( 1 9 3 1 -3 2 ) . A l t h o u g h these bui ldings , a long w i t h the i r sur rounding greenspace and serv icea r e a s , compr i se on ly a smal l por t ion o f t h e presen t to ta l ac reage o f B o w m a n F i e l d , theyc o n s t i t u t e t h e a i r f i e ld ' s h i s to r ic c o r e . I n succeeding years few addi t iona l permanen ts t r u c t u r e s h a v e been b u i l t , and none o f them exh ib i t th e in f luence o f high-s ty learch i t ec tu re . Exc luded f rom t h e nomina ted a rea a r e t w o bui ldings: , a modern o ff i c ebu i ld ing loca ted jus t sou th o f t h e A r m y A i r C o r p s H a n g a r, and a recent ly-completed ( 1 9 8 6a i r c r a f t m a i n t e n a n c e s h o p s i t ed o n t h e s o u t h side a n d ad jacen t t o t h e C u r t i s s F l y i n gServ ice H a n g a r , * - Two f rame bunga lows assoc ia ted w i t h t h e ear ly development o f t h e a i r p o r thave a lso been excluded, since their i n t e g r i t y has been compromised b y a l t e ra t ions .

Th e B o w m a n Field H i s t o r i c D i s t r i c t i s located i n t h e sou thwes t co rner o f t h e a i rpor t ,c lose t o and vis ib le f rom Taylorsv i l l e R o a d . ( S e e map. ) The a i r p o r t i s s i ted i n a

predominan t ly r es iden t ia l s e c t i o n o f eas te rn Lou isv i l le , Ken tucky, approx imate ly o n equarter-mile wes t o f t h e Wa t t e r s o n E x p r e s s w a y ( I n t e r s t a t e 2 6 4 ) . Th e a i r f i e ld i s ad jo inedo n t h e n o r t h b y Seneca P a r k a n d a m u n i c i p a l golf course , a nd on the eas t b y a p r i v a t egolf course . T o t h e s o u t h and wes t a re res iden t ia l ne ighborhoods developed f o r t he m o spar t af te r World War I I . S i n c e m a n y u r b a n a i r p o r t s a re located i n i n d u s t r i a l a r e a s , t h iverdan t se t t ing i s u n u s u a l and cont r ibu tes t o t h e a m b i e n c e o f t h e Bowman F ie ld H i s t o r i cDis t r i c t .

The bu i ld ings o f t h e B o w m a n Fie ld His to r i c Dis t r i c t a re r e la ted not only b y h i s t o r i c a lf u n c t i o n and p h y s i c a l p r o x i m i t y, b u t b y their A rt Deco/Ar t Moderne s ty l ing and t h r o u g ht h e use o f masonry mate r ia l s such a s br ick , s tone and concrete . A ll have been careful lymain ta ined , and desp i t e minor, revers ib le a l t e ra t ions , re ta in a high degree o f i n t e g r i t yo f set t ing, des ign, w o r k m a n s h i p , feel ing, and a s s o c i a t i o n .

The dominan t l andmark o f B o w m a n Field i s i t s t e rmina l , more commonly known a s th eA d m i n i s t r a t i o n Building, appropr ia te ly s tyled i n aerodynamic Moderne. A s c o n s t r u c t e d i n1 9 2 9 , i t w as a f a i r l y m o d e s t t w o - s t o r y s t r u c t u r e w i t h one-s to ry w i n g s , h o u s i n ga d m i n i s t r a t i v e and c o m m u n i c a t i o n s off ices , wea the r s ta t ion , and res tauran t . D u r i n g 1 9 3and 1 9 3 7 i t was near ly t r ip led i n s i z e . T h i s w a s accompl i shed b y demol i sh ing t h e eastw i n g and re ta in ing t h e west and cen t ra l sec t ions t o serve a s wes t wings o f t h e newbui ld ing . The A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Bui ld ing faces an el l ipt ical landscaped is land surroundedb y a dr iveway and paved pa rk ing a r e a .

fxl Se e continuation sheet


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8. Statement of SignificanceCertifying official hasconsidered the significance of this property in relation t o other properties:

I Inationally I Istatewide ID locally

Applicable National Register Criteria P H A I IB [x~|C I ID

Criteria Considerations (Exceptions) DA C]B dc [Ho [HE dp C|G n / a

Areas of Significance (enter categories from instructions) Period of Significance Significant Datest r a n s p o r t a t i o n ___________________ 1 9 2 9 - 1 9 3 7_________ 1 9 2 9 , 1931-32s o c i a l h i s t o r y ___________________ __________________ 1 9 3 6______a r c h i t e c t u r e

Cultural Affiliationn/a

Significant Person Architect/Buildern/a_____________________________ Wischmeyer and A r r a s m i t h , Arch i t ec t s ,

A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Building; J . F . Russel l an____________________________________Company. Curtiss Flying Service HangarState significance of property, and justify criteria, criteria considerations, andareas and periods of significance notedabove.

T h e B o w m a n Field H i s t o r i c Dis t r i c t , a r a re s u r v i v i n g example o f t he pioneer ing er a o fav ia t ion , c o n s t i t u t e s t h e h i s t o r i c core o f t h e Bowman F ie ld a i rpor t . T he dis t r i c tincludes th ree ad jacen t p r o p e r t i e s t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Building, t h e C u r t i s s F l y i n gServ ice Hangar, and t h e A r m y Air C o r p s H a n g a r l o c a t e d near the a i r p o r t ' s s o u t h w e s tcorner. The complex, off i c ia l ly ded ica ted i n 1 9 2 3 , i s s i g n i f i c a n t u n d e r C r i t e r i o n A i nt h e area o f t r a n s p o r t a t i o n a s o n e o f t h e oldest e x i s t i n g a i r p o r t s i n Kentucky. TheA d m i n i s t r a t i o n Bui ld ing i s also no tab le under Cr i t e r ion A f o r i t s a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h t h efedera l Works Progress A d m i n i s t r a t i o n p r o g r a m o f t h e Depress ion er a w h i c h c o n t r i b u t e di m p o r t a n t le g a cy o f publ ic bu i ld ings and fac i l i t i e s ac ross t h e Commonweal th dur ing t h eyears 1 9 3 3 t o 1 9 3 9 . T h e complex typ i f i e s ea r ly a i rpor t des ign and c o n s t r u c t i o n m e t h o d s

w i t h few a l t e r a t i o n s and thus i s s i g n i f i c a n t under C r i t e r i o n C i n t h e area o farch i t ec tu re . T h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Bui ld ing ( 1 9 2 9 ; 1 9 3 6 ) , a f ine example o f t h e Modernes t y l e , p o s s e s s es a d di t i o n a l s i g n i f i c a n c e under C r i t e r i o n C a s a w o r k o f t h e notedLouisv i l l e -based a r c h i t e c t u r e f i r m o f Wischmeyer and A r r a s m i t h , k n o w n f o r t he i rt r anspor ta t ion- re la ted s t ruc tu res . Overa l l i t s design exemplif ies t h e dign i ty andr e s t r a i n t t ha t c h a r a c t e r i z e m u c h o f t h e publ ic a rch i t ec tu re o f th e 1 9 3 0 Ts . Th e per iods i g n i f i c a n c e fo r t h e B o w m a n Field complex begins i n 1 9 2 9 , t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n date o f t h eC u r t i s s F l y i n g S e r v i c e Hangar, and ends i n 1 9 3 7 , t h e date o f comple t ion o f t h e e x p a n s i oo f t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Building.

The h i s to ry o f a v i a t i o n i n Louisv i l l e dates back t o th e 1 9 1 0 ' s , an era when f l igh t wass t i l l a nove l ty i n t h e c i t y , and ai rplanes were rarely s e e n . T h e c i t y ' s f i r s t a v i a t i o nmeet, s p o n s o r e d b y t h e Elks C l u b , t o o k p lace a t Church i l l Downs i n 1 9 1 1 . D u r i n g t h ec o u r s e o f t h i s r a t h e r i n a u s p i c i o u s e v e n t , one o f t h e t w o par t i c ipa t ing p lanes fa i l ed tg e t of f t h e ground. Other ea r ly av ia t ion deve lopments i n Kentucky p receded Bowman F i e l dI n 1 9 1 8 , a m i l i t a r y a i rpor t named Godman F ie ld was es tab l i shed a t nearby Camp K n o x (nocal led Fort Knox) . I n September o f 1 9 1 9 , a n a i r p o r t w a s e s t a b l i s h e d a t Louisv i l l e ' sH u b b a r d Field, b u t remained i n o p e r a t i o n f o r only a y e a r o r t w o .

B o w m a n Field , however, made a m u c h m o r e l a s t i n g c o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h e c i t y ' s a v i a t i o nh i s t o r y. The land o n w h i c h t h e a i r p o r t s i t s was pa r t o f a larger t r ac t purchased i n t h

P H see continuation sheet


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9. Major Bibliographical References

Previous documentation on file (NPS):I Ipreliminary determination of individual listing(3 6 CF R 67 )

has been requestedpreviously listed in the National Registerpreviously determined eligible by the National Registerdesignated a National Historic Landmark

I recorded by Historic American BuildingsSurvey #

I Irecorded by Historic American EngineeringRecord #

F| See continuation sheet

Primary location of additional data:[x~|State historic preservation officeI I Other State agencyI I Federal agencyI I Local governmentI I UniversityD therSpecify repository:

Kentucky Heritage Council, Frankfort

10. Geographical DataAcreageof property approximately 15 acres

UTM ReferencesA . I I I i

Zone Easting

Cl . I I I i

i i

i i

i i

Northing

i i

B I i I I I iZone Easting

D

I_1Northing

i i

5ee continuation sheet

Verbal Boundary Description

See continuation sheet

Boundary Justification

S e e continuation sheet

11. Form Prepared Byname/title Margaret Warminski, Architectural Historianorganization_________________________________street & number 340 East Second Street_____________city o r town N ewP rt ______________________

date August, 1 QRfl_______. te lephone (606) 581-2883state Kentucky zip code 41071


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NPSFonnlMOfr*0*6)

United States Department of the InteriorNational Park Service

National Register of Historic PlacesCo ntinuat ion Sheet

Sec t ion number __Z___ Paae __^___ B o w m a n Fie ld H i s t o r i c D i s t r i c t , Lou i sv i l l e , K e n t u

T h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Bui ld ing i s a s y m m e t r i c a l f i v e -p a r t c o m p o s i t i o n , w i t h a t h r e e - s t o r yc e n t r a l b l o c k f l anked b y s l igh t ly r ecessed t w o - a n d o n e - s t o r y wings , r e s u l t i n g in as t e p p e d - z i g g u r a t - l i k e design. T h e cen t ra l sec t ion , p o l y g o n a l i n fo rm, i s t o p p e d by a no c t a g o n a l g l a s s - en c l o s e d c o n t r o l tower, cur ren t ly n o t i n use. A po lygona l o r io le ofg l a s s b l o c k p r o j e c t s f r o m t h e second s t o r y of th e n o r t h e leva t ion . The A d m i n i s t r a t i o nB u i l d i n g u t i l i z e s c o n c r e t e c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d i s f aced w i t h f i r ed b r i c k o f v a r i e g a t e d darred hues , la id i n c o m m o n b o n d w i t h n a r r o w j o i n t s a n d a v e r t i c a l s t r e t c h e r c o u r s e a t t h ew a t e r table . T h e b u i l d i n g ' s d o o r w a y s f e a t u r e f lu t ed and molded l imes tone su r roundst y p i c a l o f 1 9 3 0 f s M o d e r n e a r c h i t e c t u r e as well as e l l ip t i ca l m e t a l s i g n s w i t h t h e legend"Bowman F ie ld" d i sp layed in neon. T h e l imes tone co rn ice i s a c c e n t e d b y p laques t h a t s e r v eas c a p i t a l s t o t h e p i l a s t e r s below. T h e s e p laques bea r winged p rope l l e r mot i f s i n lo wrelief. Wi n d o w s a r e m u l t i - p a n e m e t a l c a s e m e n t s s et be tween t h e p i l a s t e r s ; t h o s e i n t hes o u t h e le v a t i o n o f t h e c e n t r a l b lock a r e t a l l a nd round-a rched . A se r i e s o f sma l lo c t a g o n a l w i n d o w s ca n b e seen i n t h e t h i r d s to ry. A sma l l b ronze p l aque o n t h e s o u t he leva t ion r eads "Bu i l t w i t h funds and l abor prov ided by t h e Wo r k s P r o g r e s sA d m i n i s t r a t i o n , 1 9 3 6 . "

T h e i n t e r i o r o f t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n B u i l d i n g r e t a i n s m u c h of i t s o r i g i n a l 1 9 3 0 ' s f l avo r.I t s m o n u m e n t a l t h r e e -s t o r y c e n t r a l a t r i u m fea tu res co lossa l f lu t ed p i l a s t e r s w h o s ec a p i t a l s bear s ty l i zed me ta lwork f r i ezes . The a t r i u m i s s u r r o u n d e d by a s e m i - c i r c u l a r

m e z z a n i n e w i t h D e c o - i n s p i r e d w r o u g h t - i r o n r a i l i n g . A s i m i l a r r a i l i n g can a l so be seent h e m a i n s t a i r c a s e , w h i c h l eads f rom t h e m a i n f loo r t o t h e m e z z a n i n e . A n o c t a g o n a l o a kb e n c h i n t he cen te r of t h e a t r i u m once se rved as t h e pedes ta l f or a b r o n z e c o m m e m o r a t i vs c u l p t u r e t h a t i s presen t ly d i sp layed in a g las s case a long t h e wes t wall . Other o r i g i n adeta i ls include paneled w o o d w a i n s c o t i n g and rough p la s t e r wa l l s and ce i l i ngs . A p h o t omura l , dep ic t ing a s c e n e f r o m t h e a i r p o r t ' s ea r ly days , adorns t h e wes t wall . A n o t h e rm u r a l on t h e n o r t h wal l o f t h e m e z z a n i n e level has been o b s c u r e d by r e p a i n t i n g . T h eb u i l d i n g ' s two o r i g i n a l t i c k e t c o u n t e r s , l oca ted on the wes t wal l of t he a t r ium, a re nol onge r i n u s e ; t hey have s ince been walled i n bu t a r e s t i l l i n p lace beh ind t h e n ewp a r t i t i o n .

A l t e r a t i o n s t o t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Bui ld ing , as p r e v i o u s l y i nd ica t ed , h ave been min i ma l .T h e c a s e m e n t w i n d o w s o f t h e c o n t r o l t ower have been r ep laced w i t h p l a t e glass , a n dseve ra l modern f ixed s ing le -pane windows have been i n s t a l l ed i n t h e eas t wing . A irc o n d i t i o n i n g u n i t s h a v e been i n s t a l l ed i n th e walls and ove r t h e d o o r w a y s o f t h e wes twing , a n d a h a n d i c a p p e d r a m p has been added t o t h e n o r t h e leva t ion . A r e s t a u r a n t t h a topened recen t ly i n t he eas t w ing added n ew n e o n s i g n s i n t h e s t y l e of t h e o r i g i n a l s , a swell as an i n t r i c a t e w r o u g h t - i r o n r a i l i n g of D e c o - i n s p i r e d design. Ins ide , m o s t o f t h ea n c i l l a r y r o o m s o f t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Bui ld ing have been m o d e r n i z e d by t h e a d d i t i o n off a l se wood pane l ing a n d lowered ce i l ings .

B o t h o f t h e a i r p l a n e h a n g a r s inc luded i n t h e B o w m a n Fie ld H i s t o r i c D i s t r i c t a r e t y p i c a l


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NF8Form1frOa 0MBAflp f l f tWNo.

United States Departmento f the InteriorNational Park Service

S e c t i o n number _Z _ Page _J __ B o w m a n Field H i s t o r i c D i s t r i c t , L o u i s v i l l e , K e n t u c

of a v i a t i o n - r e l a t e d s t r u c t u r e s of t he 1 9 2 0 ' s an d ea r ly 1930 ' s i n t he i r us e of m e t a lc o n s t r u c t i o n , m a s o n r y veneer, a n d r e s t r a i n e d M o d e r n e - i n s p i r e d de ta i l i ng . The ea r l i e r oft h e t w o , t h e C u r t i s s F l y i n g S e r v i c e Hangar, was bu i l t c o n c u r r e n t l y w i t h th eA d m i n i s t r a t i o n B u i l di n g i n 1 9 2 9 . I t s t a n d s jus t eas t o f t he A d m i n i s t r a t i o n B u i l d i n ga c r o s s a p a v e d a i r c r a f t p a r k i n g ap ron . T h e h a n g a r i s bu i l t o f . s t e e l f aced w i t h l i g h t -y e l l o w s m o o t h - s u r f a c e b r i c k i n c o m m o n b o n d and f ea tu res p i l a s t e r s t h a t c u l m i n a t e inc o n c r e t e c a p i t a l s f e a t u r i n g s ty l i zed g e o m e t r i c designs . A o n e - s t o r y off i ce b lock ex tendsa l o n g th e bu i ld ing ' s n o r t h side. I t s d o o r w a y f e a t u r e s a molded su r round a n d f l a n k i n gc a r t o u c h e s execu ted i n concre t e . The h a n g a r ' s p i t c h e d r o o f a n d wes t and eas t gab le s a recovered i n c o r r u g a t e d metal . The gab les were or ig ina l ly f aced w i t h s t u c c o w h i c hde te r io ra ted and fe l l off a f t e r i t s under l ayment rus ted; r ep lacement o f t h i s m a t e r i a lc o n s t i t u t e d t h e m o s t s i g n i f i c a n t c h a n g e t o t he e x t e r i o r o f t h e bu i ld ing , o ne t h a t h a slessened i t s i n t e g r i t y o n l y s l i g h t ly. T h e i n t e r i o r of t h e C u r t i s s F l y i n g S e r v i c e H a n g a ri s a v a s t open space used for t h e s t o r a g e a n d s e r v i c e o f a i r c r a f t . O r i g i n a l f ea tu resinc lude ove rhead pul leys , c a s e m e n t w i n d o w s , a n d r o l l i n g m e t a l doors .

T h e A r m y A ir C o r p s H a n g a r, b u i l t 1931-32 , i s l oca ted o p p o s i t e t h e C u r t i s s F l y i n g S e r v i c eH a n g a r o n th e west s ide of t h e a i r f i e ld . I t i s a mass ive doub le -gab led s t ruc tu re dividedb y a p a r t i t i o n wal l and ad jo ined on the n o r t h a nd s o u t h b y lower o n e - s t o r y w i n g s . L i k et h e C u r t i s s F l y i n g S e r v i c e H a n g a r, i t i s bu i l t of s tee l an d f aced wi th ye l low br i ck ,w h i c h i n t h i s case has s ince been pa in ted i vo ry, and f ea tu res ro l l ing meta l door s andm e t a l casement w i n d o w s . A l t h o u g h t h e h a n g a r i s f u n c t i o n a l r a t h e r t h a n s t y l i s t i c i n

des ign , t he se r i e s of n a r r o w p i l a s t e r s g r a c i n g eas t e leva t ion sugges t t he Ar t Modernes ty le . The Army A i r C o r p s H a n g a r , l i ke th e C u r t i s s F l y i n g S e r v i c e Hangar, s t i l l s e rvesi t s o r i g i n a l p u r p o s e and has been l i t t le al tered . T h e m o s t s i g n i f i c a n t c h a n g e i n v o l v e di n - f i l l of th e casement w i n d o w s a long t h e n o r t h a n d s o u t h w i n g s w i t h s q u a r e c o n c r e t eb l o c k s s u r r o u n d i n g sma l l w indows , an u n o b t r u s i v e c o s m e t i c a l t e r a t i o n .

To da t e n o a r c h a e o l o g i c a l i n v e s t i g a t i o n of t h e B o w m a n Field H i s t o r i c D i s t r i c t h a s y ett a k e n place . However, i t i s p r o b a b l e t h a t a r c h a e o l o g i c a l r e m a i n s e x i s t i n t h e v i c i n i t y oth e d i s t r i c t , a n d t h i s p o s s i b i l i t y s h o u l d b e cons ide red i n an y deve lopment o f t h ep r o p e r t y.


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____. _-.NPtForm 10*10*

Unttad States Department o f th e InteriorNational Park Service

National Registerof Historic PlacesContinuation Sheet

S6Ct ion number 8 Page 4 B o w m a n Field H i s t o r i c D i s t r i c t , Louisv i l l e , Kentucky

A s t h e 1 9 3 0 ' s b e g a n , t h e p h y s i c a l e x p a n s i o n o f B o w m a n Field cont inued. O n December 2 6 ,1 9 3 1 , c o n s t r u c t i o n o f a n ew h a n g a r f o r t h e 3 2 5 t h O b s e r v a t i o n S q u a d r o n (Reserve) o f t h eA r m y A i r C o r p s began. A n o t h e r miles tone w as reached dur ing tha t year w h e n A m e r i c a nA i r w a y s began regular ly scheduled passenger service , p r o v i d i n g access t o poin t s e a s t ,w e s t , a n d s o u t h . T h e A ir B o a r d secre ta ry ' s annua l r epor t f o r tha t yea r claimed a 50%inc rease i n a c t i v i t y over t h e prev ious year and ind ica ted tha t 5 7 4 A r m y , 8 9 0 commerc ia la n d p r i v a t e planes , an d 1 4 8 4 passengers h ad used t h e a i r p o r t . Dur ing 1 9 3 3 t h e A i r C o r p sH a n g a r was used i n A r m y w a r g a m e s a s t h e base f o r p u r s u i t a i rc ra f t de fend ing F o r t K n o xa g a i n s t " a t t a c k i n g " b o m b e r s f r o m O h i o . Dur ing these exercises defensive aler t ne tworkswere developed which would b e used success fu l ly i n t h e Far E a s t e r n thea te r dur ing World

W a r I I .

I n 1 9 3 4 a second commerc ia l car r i e r, Eas te rn Airl ines , es tab l i shed se rv ice a t B o w m a nField. T he subsequen t inc rease i n a c t i v i t y s t r a i n e d t h e a i rpor t ' s f ac i l i t i e s an d crea teddemands f o r n ew s p a c e . O n M a r c h 1 7 , 1 9 3 6 , e x p a n s i o n o f t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n B u i l di n gbegan. T h i s c o n s t r u c t i o n project , w h i c h more than doub led t h e t e rmina l ' s usab le space,was superv i sed b y Wischmeyer a n d A r r a s m i t h an d car r i ed ou t under t h e ausp ices o f t hefederal Wo r k s P r o g r e s s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n ( W P A ) a t a cos t o f $57 ,000 . The expandedA d m i n i s t r a t i o n Building was dedicated o n June 1 9 , 1 9 3 7 . A l t h o u g h t h e Grea t Depress iona p p e a r s t o have had l i t t le nega t ive i m p a c t o n t h e g r o w t h o f t h e a i r p o r t , i t d i d resul t ithe demise o f t h e Cur t i s s F ly ing Serv ice ' s Bowman Field off ice . I t s fac i l i t i e s werelater leased b y t h e Louisv i l l e F ly ing Service .

I n J a n u a r y o f 1 9 3 7 , t h e Ohio Valley w a s inunda ted b y t h e w o r s t f lood i n recorded h i s t o r y.The "Great Flood ," a s i t c a m e t o b e called, crested a t 8 0 feet above pool s tage, l eav ingm u c h o f low- ly ing Louisv i l l e under water and para lyz ing i t s t r a n s p o r t a t i o n ne tworks .Because o f i t s loca t ion o n h i g h ground, B o w m a n Field played a p i v o t a l role i n f loodrelief not only f o r Louisv i l l e b ut f o r cen t ra l and weste rn Kentucky a s well. M u n i c i p a lo f f i c e s were t emporar i ly s e t u p i n t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n bui lding, and urgent reliefsupp l ies inc lud ing medic ine and food were f lown i n to t h e a i r p o r t b y spec ia l f l igh t s o fseveral a i r l ines . Unfor tuna te ly, t h e s o g g y c o n d i t i o n o f Bowman F ie ld ' s s o d dur ing t h ef lood res t r i c ted f l igh t o p e r a t i o n s t o day l igh t hours . Par t ly because o f th e f loodexperience, t h e A i r p o r t B o a r d pe t i t ioned t h e federal government t o c o n s t r u c t c o n c r e t er u n w a y s a t B o w m a n Field. T h i s pro jec t w a s car r ied ou t dur ing t h e fo l lowing year underWP Aausp ices . New l igh t ing an d a modern rad io n a v i g a t i o n s y s t e m were added a t t h e same

t i m e .

D u r i n g the la te 1930 ' s , the w a r i n Europe p rompted the Uni ted S ta tes government t o expani t s mil i t a ry a i rpor t f ac i l i t i e s i n a n t i c i p a t i o n o f poss ib le fu tu re conf l i c t s . In 1 9 4 0 ,t he government inc luded Bowman Field i n t h i s e x p a n s i o n program. In tha t yea r addi t iona la c r e a g e w a s purchased b y t h e loca l A ir B o a r d t o Accommodate a n ew base f o r t he A r m y A irForces on t h e a i r p o r t 1 s eas te rn s i d e . Hundreds o f t e m p o r a r y b a r r a c k s and off ices werebu i l t the re a s well a s a permanent hangar and paved pa rk ing a r e a . P r i n c i p a l w a r t i m e


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NP8Fomt1MOO O MB ***** o. HtttOOIt

United States Department of the InteriorNational Park Service

National Registerof Historic PlacesCont inuat ion Sheet

Sec t ion number ______ Page 5 B o w m a n F i e l d H i s t o r i c D i s t r i c t , L o u i s v i l l e , K e n t u c k y

a c t i v i t i e s a t Bowman F ie ld inc luded t h e t r a i n i n g of a i r e v a c u a t i o n f l i g h t nurses a n dcomba t g l ide r p i lo t s . A f t e r the war was over, t h i s a i r p o r t e x t e n s i o n w a s t u r n e d over tt he Ai r Board . I n t h e l a t e 1940 ' s t he L o u i s v i l l e F l y i n g S e r v i c e m o v e d t o t h e f o r m e r A i rC o r p s R e s e r v e H a n g a r and the C u r t i s s F l y i n g S e r v i c e H a n g a r w a s leased t o t he C e n t r a lA m e r i c a n A i r w a y s F l y i n g Serv ice .

D u r i n g t h e p o s t w a r era, Bowman F ie ld sha red i n t h e unpreceden ted g rowth of c o m m e r c i a la v i a t i o n . A t h i r d ca r r i e r, Tr a n s Wo r l d Air l ines , e s t a b l i s h e d s e r v i c e i n m a k e s h i f tq u a r t e r s at an a l r e a d y - o v e r c r o w d e d B o w m a n Field. T h i s s i t u a t i o n w a s a l l ev ia t ed i nN o v e m b e r of 1 9 4 7 w h e n a ll schedu led a i r l ine ope ra t ions were t r a n s f e r r e d to S t a n d i f o r dField, a f o r m e r m i l i t a r y a i r f i e l d o n t h e c i t y ' s s o u t h side. S i n c e then, S t a n d i f o r d h a sf u n c t i o n e d as L o u i s v i l l e ' s p r i m a r y a i r p o r t w h i l e B o w m a n F i e l d h a s r emained t h e c i t y ' sgenera l a v i a t i o n f a c i l i t y. A l t h o u g h i t s m i l i t a r y f l i g h t o p e r a t i o n s a r e m i n i m a l , i tc o n t i n u e s t o s e r v e p r i v a t e a n d c o r p o r a t e a i r c r a f t a n d o f f e r s c i v i l i a n p i l o t t r a i n i n g a nr e l a t ed se rv ices .

In 1 9 5 7 B o w m a n Field w a s r e c o g n i z e d by t he F e d e r a l Av i a t i o n A d m i n i s t r a t i o n as t hen a t i o n ' s b u s i e s t g e n e r a l a v i a t i o n a i r p o r t . In t h a t year, i t s l oca l a i r c r a f t m o v e m e n t s ,c o n s i s t i n g of t a k e o f f s an d l and ings of local ly b a s e d a i r c r a f t f o r f l i g h t s i n t he gene ra la rea of t he a i rpo r t , t o t a l ed 1 7 5 , 2 6 6 , a f i g u r e t h a t r emained more o r less c o n s t a n t overth e nex t t h ree yea r s . A l t h o u g h t he a i r p o r t ' s t r a f f i c h a s d i m i n i s h e d s o m e w h a t s i n c e theni t c o n t i n u e s t o be ac t ive ly used. I r o n i c a l l y, t he r e l ega t ion of B o w m a n Field t o t h e

s t a t u s of s e c o n d a r y a i r p o r t i n t h e c i t y of L o u i s v i l l e h a s p layed a m a j o r ro le i n i t sp r e s e r v a t i o n . H a d i t r e m a i n e d t h e c i t y ' s p r i m a r y a i r f ac i l i t y, i t s ea r ly b u i l d i n g s w o u l da l m o s t c e r t a i n l y have been demol i shed i n f a v o r of newer and l a rge r ones .

I n recent y e a r s m a n y ear ly a i r p o r t s l ike B o w m a n Field have been r ep laced wi th newer andl a rg er f a c i l i t i e s , or in s o m e cases h a v e been a l tered b e y o n d r e c o g n i t i o n . B e c a u s e oftha t , B o w m a n Field r e m a i n s a n i n c r e a s i n g l y r a r e a r t i f a c t . A l t h o u g h a w a r e n e s s o f i t sh i s t o r i c a l a n d a r c h i t e c t u r a l s i g n i f i c a n c e h a s gradua l ly i nc reased , t o date there has beenno o f f i c i a l r e c o g n i t i o n o f t h e i m p o r t a n c e of B o w m a n Field. I t i s t o be hoped t h a tl i s t i n g of t h i s un ique complex i n t h e N a t i o n a l R e g i s t e r wi l l s e r v e as a n i m p e t u s fo r i tp r e s e r v a t i o n .

Av i a t i o n / Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n C o n t e x t ( 1 o f 3 )

Compara t ive ly l i t t le research h as y e t been done o n t h e h i s t o r y o f a v i a t i o n i n K e n t u c k ydur ing t h e f i r s t t w o decades o f t h e twent ie th century. M o s t ear ly a i r p o r t s were in fo rmaopera t ions tha t d i d no t keep records and few a v i a t i o n agenc ies i n t h e s ta te have recordstha t pre-date t he mid-1920 ' s . Av i a t i o n h i s t o r i a n Edward P e c k , who resides i n t h eLouisv i l l e a r e a , be l i eves tha t v i r tua l ly a ll t h e s ta te ' s e a r l y , o r more spec i f i ca l ly,


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NPSFWin 1040fr 0M BAppro* No . 10344018

United States Depar tment ofthe InteriorNational Park Service

National Register o f Historic PlacesContinuation Sheet

S e c t i o n number 8 Page 6 Bowman Field His tor ic D i s t r i c t , L o u i s v i l l e , Kentu

pre-World Wa r I I a i r p o r t s date f rom t h e 1 9 2 0 ' s o r l a t e r , when the i n i t i a t i o n o f a i rse rv ice p rov ided a n impe tus f o r the i r deve lopment . Only th ree a i r p o r t s are k n o w n t obeen establ ished pr io r t o 1 9 2 0 ; Godman F ie ld ( 1 9 1 8 ) , Hubbard F ie ld ( 1 9 1 9 ) , a n d B o w mField. O f t h e s e , Bowman F ie ld i s the only one s t i l l i n ac t ive us e o n i t s o r i g i n a l sGodman Field was re located, and Hubbard F ie ld ceased opera t ions af te r a year o r t w o ,leaving behind n o permanent bui ld ings . S o l i t t le i s y e t k n o w n a b o u t H u b b a r d Field teven i t s exac t loca t ion i s i n ques t ion . Apar t f rom Bowman F ie ld and Godman Field, fi f a n y , other ear ly a i r p o r t s h a v e survi ved. For example, t w o a i rpor t s were es tab l i shedin the c i ty o f L e x i n g t o n p r i o r t o 1 9 4 0 , namely Halley Field i n the m i d - 1 9 2 0 ' s and CoMeadow A i r p o r t i n the 1 9 3 0 ' s . B o t h h a v e ceased t o ex i s t and the i r acreage has been bredeveloped f o r other u s e s . A n o t h e r ear ly a v i a t i o n fac i l i ty was es tab l i shed i n theo f Middlesboro somet ime dur ing t h e 1 9 2 0 ' s . A l t h o u g h h i s t o r i c a l records are scarce,Peck bel ieves t h a t i t , t o o , was re loca ted f rom i t s o r i g i n a l s i t e . Given the r a r i t yh i s t o r i c a i r p o r t f a c i l i t i e s i n t h e s t a t e , i t i s n ot s u r p r i s i n g t h a t t h e K e n t u c k y H e r iC o u n c i l ' s su rvey da tabase includes n o av ia t ion- re la ted s t ruc tu res o ther than B o w m a nField.

WPA Contex t ( 2 o f 3 )

T h e A i r p o r t A d m i n i s t r a t i o n B u i l di n g also possessses s i g n i f i c a n c e f o r i t s a s s o c i a t i o nthe federal Wo r k s P r o g r e s s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n ( W P A ) . T h e W P Awa s t he largest a nd m o s texpens ive re l i e f p rogram o f Pres iden t Frank l in D . Rooseve l t ' s "New Dea l . " I t w a sin i t i a ted i n 1 9 3 5 t o supersede t w o prev ious ly -c rea ted agenc ies , t h e C i v i l Wo r k sA d m i n i s t r a t i o n ( C WA ) a n d t he Federa l Emergency Re l ie f Admin is t ra t ion ( F F. R A ) . T h e W Pp u r p o s e wa s t o crea te na t iona l work p ro jec t s t o absorb the needy employable . B y t h ei t closed o ut o p e r a t i o n s i n 1 9 4 3 h ad spen t eleven bi l l ion dol lars a nd employed a s mth ree mil l ion workers a t one t i m e . I n Kentucky, the WPA's Louisv i l l e o ff i c e channe lem o r e t h a n $ 1 6 2 m i l li o n t h r o u g h t h o u s a n d s o f s t a t e pro jec t s an d h a d a s many a s 7 2 , 0 0 0s t a t e res idents on i t s payro l l a t i t s peak i n September, 1 9 3 8 .

I n Kentucky, a s i n most places a c r o s s the coun t ry, m u c h o f t h e W PA ' s effor t s weredirected t o w a r d heavy c o n s t r u c t i o n pro jec t s . The W P Ab u i l t 1 4 , 0 0 0 miles o f roads , 7br idges cu lver t s and v iaduc t s ; and more t h a n 9 0 0 n ew bui ld ings . These bui ldings includeda new l ib ra ry i n Ashland, a j a i l i n Par i s , a pos t o ff i c e a nd s c h o o l i n Pres tonsburg ,c i ty ha l l i n S o u t h F o r t Mitchel l , a c o u r t h o u s e i n P r i n c e t o n , a n d a s tad ium i n BellevuT h e WP A also prov ided ass i s tance t o a i rpor t f ac i l i t i e s i n nine teen communi t i es ac rosss ta te . W PA - s p o n s o r e d a i rpor t p ro jec t s inc luded re furb i sh ing a n ex is t ing fac i l i ty a tO w e n s b o r o and grad ing a landing s t r i p a t Beat tyvi l le .

T h e a r c h i t e c t u r e o f W P Abui ld ings w a s s ty l i s t i ca l ly diverse b u t tended t o w a r dc o n s e r v a t i s m a n d so l id i ty ins tead o f s t y l i s h n e s s o r i n n o v a t i o n . A s a g r o u p , W P Abui ld


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N P 8 FM m 1MOO O UB Apfiwtl H a. 10344018

United States Departmento f the InteriorNational Park Service

National Register of Historic PlacesContinuation Sheet

Sec t ion number ^ PaQ6 __Z___ B o w m a n Field H i s t o r i c Dis t r i c t , Lou i sv i l l e , Kentuck

ref lected popula r s ty les o f t h e d a y . A number o f WP A bui ld ings , such a s S o u t h F o r tMitche l l ' s C i t y H a l l , uti l ized t h e Colon ia l Rev iva l s t y l e . Others , such a sP r e s t o n s b u rg ' s P o s t Office , t y p i f i e d an ec lec t i c Neo-Class ic i sm. S t i l l others , l ike tB o u r b o n C o u n t y J a i l i n Par i s , were bui l t i n t h e A r t Moderne style. A l t h o u g h B o w m a nField 's Adminis t ra t ion Bui ld ing exempl i f i es the la t ter, i t i s somewhat o f a n a n o m a l ys i n c e t h e p o r t i o n c o n s t r u c t i o n under W PA a u s p i c e s dupl icates t h e design o f t h e or ig ina l ,1 9 2 9 sect ion. Nonetheless , t h e Adminis t ra t ion Bui ld ing ' s res t ra ined design places i tsquare ly w i t h i n t h e overa l l WP A t r ad i t ion .

A r c h i t e c t u r a l C o n t e x t ( 3 o f 3 )

The bu i ld ings o f B o w m a n Fie ld typ i fy t h e A rt Moderne s t y l e , w h i c h evolved i n t h e 1 9 3 0 ' sa s a re f inement and s i m p l i f i c a t i o n o f t h e ear l ier A r t Deco m o d e . A l t h o u g h the two s tyla re somet imes v iewed a s one and t h e sa m e , t h e dis t inc t ions be tween t h e m , t h o u g hoccas iona l ly blurred, are r e a l . A r t D e c o , w h i c h or ig ina ted i n E u r o p e i n t h e 1 9 2 0 f s , wa s ty le t ha t f o u n d express ion p r i m a r i l y i n a r c h i t e c t u r e and t h e decora t ive a r t s . I t wa s t y l e charac te r ized b y r i c h , s tyl ized, somet imes id iosyncra t i c o rnament i n s p i r e d b ysources a s diverse a s t h e a r t o f a n c i e n t E g y p t and t h e cu l tu re o f pre-Columbian Amer icI n i t s high-s ty le mani fes ta t ions i t favored luxur ious and expens ive mater ia l s , b o t hn a t u r a l and man-made.

A rt Moderne, o n t h e other h a n d , wa s a more democra t i c s ty le t ha t s o u g h t express ion i nindus t r i a l des ign a s well a s arch i t ec tu re , i n objec t s o f everyday l i fe ra the r than thosintended f o r display. B o r n i n Amer ica dur ing t h e ear ly 1 9 3 0 ' s , i t was insp i red b y t h em a c h i n e age and i t s love o f p r o g r e s s and o f speed w as expressed i n i t s f a s c i n a t i o n w i t ht h e aerodynamic curve o r s t reaml ine . Other c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f Art Moderne bui ld ingswere h o r i z o n t a l i t y a n d , especial ly i n la ter examples , m i n i m a l use o f ornament . Roundecorners and s tepped-z iggura t - l ike fo rms ( t a l l bui ld ings ) f avored mater ia l s includedm a s o n r y and many k inds o f g l a s s , inc lud ing t h e new opaque Vit ro l i t e and clear glassb l o c k . Noted bui ld ings i n t h e A rt Moderne s tyle include an i m p o r t a n t g roup o f N ew Yo r" s k y s c r a p e r s " o f t h e early 1930 ' s such a s t h e McGraw-Hi l l headquar te r s . O n a smal lers c a l e , i t f o u n d i t s way t o t h e bus iness d i s t r i c t s o f Amer ica dur ing t h e "Modern ize M a iSt ree t " movement , dur ing which ground- f loor facades o f older c o m m e r c i a l bui ld ings wererenova ted with such pe r iod touches a s Vit ro l i t e and curved-glass shop windows .

The s tyle a lso found favor w i t h th e designers o f t r a n s p o r t a t i o n fac i l i t i e s such a sG r e y h o u n d Bus Termina l s , t h e Norfo lk and Weste rn Ra i l road t e r m i n a l a t P o r t s m o u t h , O h i oand t h e Adminis t ra t ion Bui ld ing a t B o w m a n Field. Because o f i t s s t reaml ined , func t iona lc h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , i t w as readi ly adop ted f o r indus t r i a l bu i ld ings and s t ruc tu res , mos tn o t a b l y th e monumenta l concre te dams cons t ruc ted b y t he Tennessee Valley A u t h o r i t y durt h e Grea t Depress ion . A few i n s t i t u t i o n a l bui ld ings , such a s Ber t ram Goodhue ' s Nebrask


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NP 8 1 = 0 1 10-MO* 0M B Affiwtl H e. 1024401t

United Statee Department o f th e InteriorNational Park Service

National Register of Historic PlacesCont inuat ion Sheet

Section number 8 Page 8 Bowman Field Historic District, Louisville, K Y

S t a t e C a p i t o l a nd H o l a b i r d and Root ' s N o r t h D a k o t a S t a t e Cap i to l , were a lso c o n s t r u c t e di n the Art Moderne style. A rt Moderne was a l so uti l ized t o a l imited extent b y t h edesigners o f private res idences , par t i cu la r ly o n t h e West Coas t . T h e Art Moderne s t y l eembraced b y Amer ican des igners such as R a y m o n d Loewy and N o r m a n B el Geddes, was fu r the rdissemina ted b y t h e N ew Yo r k World ' s Fai r o f 1 9 3 6 and t h e 1 9 3 3 Century o f Progresse x h i b i t i o n i n Chicago . The s ty le remained p o p u l a r t h r o u g h o u t t he 1930 ' s un t i l i t w a sgradua l ly ecl ipsed b y t h e new and aus te re I n t e r n a t i o n a l Style. B ut t he in f luence o fModerne con t inued t o b e felt i n a r c h i t e c t u r e unt i l wel l in to t h e 1 9 4 0 ' s .

Th e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n B u i l di n g a t Bowman F ie ld i s i n m a n y w a y s t y p i c a l o f th e Ar t Moderns ty le o f t h e ear ly 1 9 3 0 ' s . I t s symmet r i ca l , f ive -par t s t epped m a s s i n g recal ls t hec o m p a r a t i v e f o r m a l i t y o f the Art Deco era and thus i s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f t h e Moderne si n i t s early s tages , pr io r t o th e r i s e i n p o p u l a r i t y o f t h e s t reaml ined f o r m s o f t h e1 9 3 0 ' s and ear ly 1 9 4 0 ' s . T h e bui ld ing ' s r es t ra ined design, ar t i cu la ted b y f o r m r a t h e rt h a n super f luous detail , i s also c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f t h e s t y l e , a s a re i t s f la t r o o f , fcornice , a n d low-relief ornament . The bui ld ing ' s s tepped pi las te r s and r ibbed and moud o o r w a y sur rounds a re a l s o t y p i c a l Moderne details. The grandly-scaled round-archedwindows o f t h e facade a re a somewhat su rpr i s ing t o u c h , m o r e t y p i c a l o f th e Colon ia lR e v i v a l t h a n t h e Moderne. But t h e j u x t a p o s i t i o n o f se l f -consc ious ly "modern" w i t h perev iva l was uti l ized b y m a n y builders dur ing t h e 1920 ' s and 1 9 3 0 ' s , and i s evident i ndesign o f a number o f publ ic bui ld ings o f t h e e r a . In te r io r f ea tu res o f t h e

A d m i n i s t r a t i o n B u i l di n g are a l s o t y p i c a l o f t h e A rt Moderne style, especial ly t he semci rcu la r m e z z a n i n e a nd co lossa l f luted p i l as te r s .

Relat ively f ew dis t ingu ished examples o f t h e A rt Deco and A rt Moderne s tyles exis t i nLouisv i l l e because t h e economic prob lems w r o u g h t b y th e Grea t Depress ion and th e f lood1 9 3 7 s lowed t h e pace o f t h e c i t y ' s development dur ing tha t e r a . However, severa lbui ld ings o f t h e in te r-war pe r iod have been l i s t ed i n t h e N a t i o n a l Regis te r o f H i s t o r iPlaces a s ind iv idua l proper t i e s , and o the rs a re included a s c o n t r i b u t i n g elements i nh i s t o r i c dis t r i c t s . A m o n g those l i s t ed individual ly a re t h e fo rmer Sears and Roebucks t o r e a t 8 00 W . Broadway ( 9 2 8 ; 1 9 4 6 ) , t h e off i ces o f t h e S o u t h Cent ra l Bell te lephonec o m p a n y a t 5 2 1 W . Ches tnu t ( 1 9 3 0 ) , t h e Jones -Dabney Varn i sh C o . o ff i c e bui ld ing a t 1 4S . Eleventh S t . ( 1 9 3 5 ) , a m u n i c i p a l f i r e h o u s e a t 3 5 W . Je ffe r son S t . (1936-37) , a n d tfo rmer Bernhe im Dis t i l l e ry Bot t l ing Plan t ( 1 9 3 7 ) a t 8 22 S . Fi f teen th S t . O f these, t hf i r s t , second an d f o u r t h t y p i f y t h e A rt Deco s t y l e , whi le t h e Jones -Dabney a nd Bernhe ibu i ld ings a re a m o n g th e c i ty ' s f ew examples o f st reamlined Moderne . Thus the B o w m a nField Adminis t ra t ion Bui ld ing i s s i g n i f i c a n t n o t only a s a notab le a n d well-preservedin te rpre ta t ion o f t h e A r t Moderne m o d e , b u t as a n example o f a local ly rare s tyle .


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NP 8 Form 1MOO O UB Appro**M o . Utt+QOIt


National Register ofHistoric PlacesContinuation Sheet

S e c t i o nn u m b e r2 a g e ] O W M A N F I E L D H I S T O R I CD I S T R I C T ,L O U I S V I L L EK E N

Bibl iograph ic Refe rences

A n o n y m o u s , " C u r t i s s H a n g a r D e d i c a t i o n Set , " L O U I S V I L L ETIMES, July 5 , 1 9 2 9 .

Anonymous , "Pell D e c o r a t es B o w m a n H a n g a r, " L O U I S V I L L EH E R A L DP O S T , July 5 , 1 9 2 9 .

Ceci le Hamil ton, "Bowma n Field: A m e r i c a ' s B u s i e s t L o c a l Tr a f f i c A i r p o r t , " FLYING,

November, 1 9 6 0 .

Diane Hei lenman, " T w o Speed Exhib i t s Sample Work o f T w o Rich ly Var ied Decades . . . , "L O U I S V I L L E C O U R I E R - J O U RN A L , A u g u s t3 0 , 1 9 8 7 .

Kentucky Her i t age Counc i l Survey Files: B o w m a n Field. Avai lab le a t K e n t u c k y H e r i t a g eC o u n c i l off i ce , F rankfor t .

Wil l iam M o rg a n , "Bowman Field i s a n U n s u n g Tr e a s u r e, " L O U I S V I L L E C O U R I E R - J O UR N A L , O c t o2 8 , 1 9 7 9 .

P e c k , Edward, a v i a t i o n h is to r ian . In te rv iews b y Margare t Warminsk i , Apr i l 1 , 1 9 8 8 ; Jun1 1 , 1 9 8 8 .

P e c k , Edward. "Bowman F i e l d : A C o n c i s e H i s t o r i c a l O v e r v i e w. " U n p u b l i s h e d m a n u s c r i p tava i lab le a t K e n t u c k y H e r i t a g e Counc i l , Frankfor t .

Repor t s o f the Secre ta ry o f t h e A i r p o r t A u t h o r i t y o f Louisv i l l e an d J e f f e r s o n County,1 9 2 9 - 1 9 3 7 . Avai lab le a t A i r p o r t A u t h o r i t y off i ces , Stand i fo rd Field, Louisvi l le .

Ya t e r , George H . T WOH U N D R E DY E A R S ATT H E FA L L S OF T H E O H I O : A H I S TO RYOF L O U I S V I L L EJ E F F E R S O NCOUNTY. Louisvi l le , Kentucky : T h e H e r i t a g e C o r p o r a t i o n o f Louisv i l l e andJ e f f e r s o n County, 1 9 7 9 .


13/17

NP S Fom1MOfr 0M BAppro* Ha . 10a*n


National Register o f Historic PlacesContinuation Sheet

S e c t i o n number10_ Page ! B o w m a n Field H i s t o r i c Dis t r i c t , Lou i sv i l l e , K e n t u c

Verba l Boundary Descr ip t ion

Beginn ing a t a p o i n t approx imate ly 220 feet n o r t h o f t h e n o r t h l ine o f Taylorsv i l l e R oa t t h e p o i n t o f in te r sec t ion o f t h e sou thwes te r ly corner o f a l awn wi th a walkway; thenproceed ing i n a nor theas te r ly d i rec t ion a r o u n d t h e per imete r o f th i s l awn t o i t ssou theas t corner ; then in a sou ther ly d i rec t ion paral le l w i t h t h e east wal l o f t h eC u r t i s s Fly ing Serv ice H a n g a r t o s a i d bu i ld ing ' s sou theas t corner and i t s p o i n t o fin te r sec t ion w i t h a paved a i r c r a f t p a r k i n g a p r o n ; then proceed ing i n a sou thwes te r lyd i rec t ion a r o u n d t h e perimeter o f th i s a p r o n t o i t s p o i n t o f in te r sec t ion w i t h a f e n c e ;then fo l lowing th i s f ence i n a nor ther ly d i rec t ion t o i t s p o i n t o f in te r sec t ion wi th t hcurb o f a paved dr iveway o n t h e sou th s ide o f t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Building; thenproceeding i n a wester ly direct ion a long th i s cu rb t o a paved roadway; then c o n t i n u i n ga wester ly d i rec t ion a c r o s s t h e roadway and fo l lowing sa id curb t o i t s poin t o fin te r sec t ion w i t h th e sou th l ine o f a p a r k i n g l o t , approx imate ly 1 0 0 f e e t ; thenproceed ing i n a n easter ly di rec t ion a long t h e s o u t h l ine o f t h i s p a r k i n g l o t t o i t sin te r sec t ion wi th a f e n c e , a dis tance o f approx imate ly 4 4 f e e t ; then proceeding nor ther lya long th i s f ence approx imate ly 6 5 feet t o i t s in te r sec t ion w i t h a s idewalk; thenproceeding nor ther ly a long t h e east l ine o f t h i s sidewalk a dis tance o f approx imate lyf e e t ; then i n a weste r ly d i rec t ion appr imate ly 3 0 feet t o a f e n c e ; then i n anor thwes te r ly d i rec t ion a long th i s f ence approx imate ly 3 0 feet t o i t s in te r sec t ion wi thpaved d r i v e ; then nor th 4 0 feet t o t h e edge o f a paved runway approach ; then proceed ingi n a nor thwes te r ly d i rec t ion a long th i s approach , pa ra l l e l w i t h t h e west elevat ion o f

A r m y Air C o r p s H a n g a r, a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1 5 0 f e e t ; then i n a n easter ly di rec t ion a long t h enor th edge o f a paved service a r e a , paral le l wi th t h e n o r t h elevat ion o f sa id hangar,approx imate ly 1 1 5 f e e t ; then proceeding i n a sou ther ly direct ion, paral le l wi th t h e easelevat ion o f t h e A r m y A ir C o r p s Hangar, 220 feet t o t h e edge o f a driveway; t h eproceeding wester ly across th i s d r iveway f o r approx imate ly 2 0 feet t o a f e n c e ; thenproceeding sou ther ly a long th i s f ence approx imate ly 7 feet t o t h e edge o f a l a w n ; thenproceed ing easter ly a r o u n d t h e per imete r o f th i s lawn a dis tance o f approx imte ly 9 6 f e et o t he edge o f a paved roadway; then proceeding east a c r o s s the roadway a dis tance o ff e e t ; then c o n t i n u i n g i n an easter ly direct ion along said fence approx imate ly 5 0 feeta walkway; then p roceed ing i n a n easter ly direct ion a long th i s w a l k w a y, a c r o s s a paveda i r c r a f t p a r k i n g apron , t o i t s p o i n t o f in te r sec t ion wi th t h e sou thwes t corner o f a l a wt h e place o f beg inn ing .

B o u n d a y J u s t i f i c a t i o n

The boundary o f th i s nomina ted area has been arb i t ra r i ly drawn t o include c o n t r i b u t i n gresources an d exc lude non-con t r ibu t ing o n e s , whi le fo l lowing man-made fea tu res such a sfence l ines an d r o a d w a y s whenever possible . Inc luded wi th in i t ar e th e dis t r i c t ' s threbui ld ings a s well a s h i s t o r i c open spaces ( lawns) t o t h e east and west o f t h eA d m i n i s t r a t i o n Building, a landscaped i s l and fac ing t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Bui ld ing , andh i s t o r i c se rv ice a reas ( runway approaches , a i r c r a f t p a r k i n g a p r o n s ) ad jacen t t o th e t w


14/17

NP8 Form 1


15/17

B O W M A NFIELD HISTORIC DISTRICTLouisvi l le ,Jefferson County, KentuckySource: Regional Airport AuthoritySCALE: 1" = 200'"Dotted boundaryline encloses thethree contributing buildings."

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HANGAR NO. 2ADMINISTRATIONBUILDING

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17/17

N P8 Form 10400 P H O TO K E YO M BAppm* N o .

United States Departm ent of the InteriorNational Park Service

National Registerof Historic PlacesContinuat ion SheetBowman Field Historic District, Jefferson County, KentuckySection number ___ Page ___

For Photos 1 thru 12;

Group Nomination: Bowman Field Historic DistrictLocation: Taylorsville

Road, Louisville, KentuckyPhotograph: Margo WarminskiNegative Location: Kentucky Heritage Council, FrankfortDate Taken: July, 1988

Photo N o.1

2

34567

910

1112

View or ElevationSouth elevation of Administration Buildinglooking northeastNorth elevation of Administration Buildinglooking southwestEast elevation of Administration Buildinglooking westOverall view looking northeastW ingedpropeller detail, Administration Building looking northWe s t elevation of Curtiss Flying Service Hangar looking east.East and south elevation of Curtiss Flying Service Hangar looking northwestNorth elevation of Curtiss Flying Service Hangar looking southwestEast and south elevations of Army Air Corps Hangar looking northwestWe s t elevation of Army Air Corps Hangar looking northCentral atrium of Administration Building looking down from mezzanineRailing, mezzanine of Administration Building atrium

For Photos 13 thru 19; The photographer is unknown

13

14

15

16171819

1929 photo of rendering of the original Administration Building, northelevationC. 1938 - south and west elevations of recently enlarged AdministrationBuilding looking northeastC. 1930 - Original Administration Building, north and west elevations, withFlying Service Hangar in backgroundC. 1938 - Administration Building atrium1932 - Dedication of Army Air Corps HangarC . 1930 - Air Mail Pilot Marvin O'Dell; Louisville - Cleveland routeC. 1944-45 - Bowman Field at height of W orld W ar II development

bowman army air field

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