Wedell-Williams Airport in Jefferson Parish
James R. Wedell and Harry P. Williams founded the Wedell-Williams Air Service in Patterson, Louisiana, in 1929. The company expanded its transport routes as far as Dallas, Houston, and St. Louis. Wedell's aircraft designs brought the company fame via air races held across the country.
Access: Online only
Tips: The airport no longer exists. The tour stops are all attached to its former location.
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The Wedell-Williams Air Service Comes to New Orleans
The Wedell-Williams Air Service originated on May 1, 1929, a time in which American aviation was full of potential. As increasing numbers of people attained pilot’s licenses, more air routes came into…
Construction of the Jefferson Airport
As the Wedell-Williams Air Service expanded their air service, a new airport was under construction near Harahan in Jefferson Parish. Costing $63,000, the airport featured a 100 foot x 120 foot steel…
Duties of the Wedell-Williams Air Service
The Wedell-Williams Air Service sold and distributed planes, taught the next generation of pilots and mechanics, and transported passengers. To sell planes, the air service received informational…
Happenings at the Wedell-Williams Airport
The Wedell-Williams Airport saw quite a bit of excitement after it opened in early 1931. The Ford company sponsored a series of annual air tours dubbed “The National Air Tour,” with the 1931 tour…
Wedell-Williams Air Service Goes Coast to Coast
The Wedell-Williams Air Service clearly took little time to establish itself in New Orleans. In July 1929, two months after Wedell and Williams founded the company, Wedell inaugurated a route to St.…
End of the Wedell-Williams Air Service
The Air Service hit its height in 1933 and 1934, but it experienced a period of decline partially due to the construction of the Shushan Airport in November 1933. The air service took a bigger hit…Tour curated by: Teresa Thessen