So way back when, after the Wright Brothers but before the Great Depression, the nation began to realize that commercial air transport of goods and passengers was sort of a thing to be encouraged. In 1925, a local "barnstorming" pilot named Dixie Davis established an airfield in what was known as Turkey Bottoms. In a series of moves, the owners of then-Grisard Field in Blue Ash picked up stakes and moved the majority of the operation down to the banks of the Ohio River. The theory was better locale (4 miles to downtown) and a better strategic position would allow for both commercial and military opportunities.
In 1928, the City of Cincinnati floated some bonds and bought additional land for the airport, and started leasing the entire thing from the Lunken family. Brick hangars were built in 1929 in art deco style (this WAS effectively the 1930's after all). The terminal that stands today was started in 1936, which may explain the similarities to Union Terminal across town.
Right down to spiffy paintings rife with symbolism.
And doorways you could pickup from Lunken and drop at Union Terminal without needing to change much beyond the word on a sign. The construction was completed in 1937.
So what could stop a field that once held so many accolades (largest airport in the world, first meal served in flight, first federally approved flight school, etc)? Why do flights to Cincinnati actually land in Kentucky?
The fact Lunken sits in a flood plain might have something to do with it. If you look to the left of the clock in the photo above, you can see a single black brick beside the control tower. That's a plaque that marks the high-water point during construction of the terminal. Between that dramatic reminder of the Ohio River's power, the fog, and the complications of Cincinnati's famed hills on flight patterns further expansion was deemed impractical.
There's a whole side show of drama that relates back to why the main Cincinnati airport wound up in another state...but that's something you can read about on your own for now.
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