Will Rogers World Airport - Oklahoma City, OK
Posted by: The Snowdog
N 35° 23.747 W 097° 35.768
14S E 627489 N 3917840
Will Rogers World Airport is named for humorist Will Rogers - in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Waymark Code: WM16QD2
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 09/16/2022
Views: 3
The Place:
Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield dates all the way back to 1911, not even a decade after Wilbur and Orville Wright's historic first flight. The facility grew along with Oklahoma City and was expanded considerably during WWII for use as a training field. As military use shifted to the newly-constructed Tinker Air Force Base in nearby Midwest City, the facility attracted considerable commercial activity and was renamed in Rogers' honor in 1951. As of this date it is the largest and busiest commercial airport in Oklahoma.
The Person:
Will Rogers (November 4, 1879 – August 15, 1935) was an American vaudeville performer, actor, and humorist noted in particular for his sharp political commentary. He was born a citizen of the Cherokee Nation in what was then Indian Territory, which later became part of the State of Oklahoma. He traveled around the world three times, made 71 films (50 of which were silent, and most of which are now considered "lost"), and wrote more than four thousand nationally syndicated newspaper columns. By the mid-1930s, Rogers was the highest-paid film star in Hollywood. He died with aviator Wiley Post when their small airplane crashed in northern Alaska.
A life-size bronze bust of Will Rogers can be seen just inside the secure area at the airport.
Year it was dedicated: 1911 (as Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield)
Location of Coordinates: Entrance to Terminal
Related Web address (if available): [Web Link]
Type of place/structure you are waymarking: Airport
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