Throughout its 75-year history, the Chilton County Airport has been the scene of a number of significant and, at times, tragic events. Perhaps the most notable of these was the accident that claimed the lives of R.W. Blackwood and Bill Lyles, members of the nationally renowned Blackwood Brothers Quartet. Blackwood, Lyles and Chilton County native Johnny Ogburn, Jr. were fatally injured on June 30, 1954 when their Beechcraft Model 18 aircraft crashed during a routine flight from the airport. As a featured attraction of the annual Peach Festival, the Blackwood Brothers Quartet had been scheduled to perform later that evening in the airport’s large metal hangar. In June 2001, the Clanton Lions Club erected a memorial to the Blackwood Brothers on the grounds of the airport.

The Chilton County Airport is one of the oldest continuously operating aviation facilities in Alabama. For three-quarters of a century, the airport has served the needs of the residents of Chilton County by providing the infrastructure necessary for the operation of critical aviation services that include humanitarian flights, emergency medical evacuations, law enforcement and fire patrols. Equally important, the airport serves as an essential resource in the economic development of Chilton County.

Through the years, politicians, movie stars, musicians, professional sports figures and other notable personalities have utilized Gragg-Wade Field as a gateway to Chilton County. The airport has also served to introduce Chilton County and its residents to a number of business owners and industrial developers. The runway at Gragg-Wade Field is truly the most important main street in Chilton County.

During its history, the Chilton County Airport has established a remarkable historical legacy. This legacy is not solely related to aviation, however; it is a legacy of a county and its people. As we turn our attention to the future, the residents of Chilton County need to embrace the idea of working for the airport so the airport can work for us. Investing in the infrastructure to accommodate business and corporate aircraft will ensure the airport continues to serve as a critical component of our economic development efforts. In doing so, we have the opportunity to create a more prosperous Chilton County for future generations.

–Singleton is a member of the Chilton County Airport Authority.