Moton Field - Tuskegee, AL
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member xptwo
N 32° 27.424 W 085° 40.837
16S E 624005 N 3591866
The famed World War II Tuskegee Airmen began their primary flight training at Moton Field. Today the field is a National Park Service National Historic Site as well as continuing as the municipal airport. The visitor center is located in Hanger 1.
Waymark Code: WMFCWN
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 09/30/2012
Published By:Groundspeak Regular Member GEO*Trailblazer 1
Views: 4

The coordinates are for the entrance to Hanger 1, where the National Park Service has its offices and visitor center during construction. In Hanger 1 on Moton Field, one can see a U.S. Army trainer used to train African American pilots how to fly. They later gained fame flying P-51 Mustang fighters in the 332nd Fighter Group. Moton Field is where it began with basic flying training. The field continued to be used after World War II as a civilian facility. It continues that function in addition to being home to the historic work done by the National Park Service.

In 2010, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Moton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, as a winner of the National Trust/ACHP Award. The following from their award page gives an excellent overview of the site.

"During World War II, Moton Field was where the famed Tuskegee Airmen learned to fly. These African American pilots—along with the gunners, navigators, mechanics and others who worked alongside them—signed up to fight in a global war. Some of their toughest battles, however, were fought at home. Before 1940, African Americans were barred from flying for the U.S. military. Trainees at Moton Field faced hostility, resistance and poor treatment, but they persevered, learned to fly and served their country with honor. The accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II helped pave the way for full integration of African Americans in the U.S. military.

Since acquiring Moton Field in the 1990s, the National Park Service has worked in partnership with a private architectural/engineering firm, local government, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., Tuskegee University and others to preserve the airfield. Eight badly deteriorated buildings were restored or rehabbed, another was completely reconstructed, and four missing buildings were conceptually interpreted. Postwar additions were removed, and the original landscape plan is being reinstated. Throughout the site, special care was taken to provide the required visitor infrastructure with the least possible impact on the site’s historic integrity.

“The Tuskegee Airmen’s legacy was born from the struggle of hard-won battles,” said Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “Thanks to thoughtful work by dedicated partners, Moton Field allows visitors to experience a special place where a new American identity took shape, and, because of that work, the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site takes its rightful place among America’s treasures.”

“Partnerships among diverse interests in pursuit of the best outcome for the greater good are essential for the proper functioning of both historic preservation and federal agencies, and that’s why the preservation of Moton Field is such a worthy recipient and exemplar of the federal partnerships award,” said Milford Wayne Donaldson, chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation."

source: (visit link)

For this waymark the primary website will be the one from the National Park Service. The supplemental one will be for the Tuskegee Airmen. Both give a great deal of information about this field and its place in history. There is no admission fee for this National Park. Construction is still taking place, so the main office is located in Hanger 1, where there is a display of aircraft and equipment.
Off Road Directions:
From exit 38 on I-85 head south on Highway 81. After about 1/2 mile, turn left on Chappie James Avenue. After about 1/4 mile, turn left on Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. drive at the Moton Field sign. Continue to the first brick hanger on the right. This is Hanger 1. The entrance will be on the right side of hanger.


Permits: no

Maps: yes

Public Restrooms: yes

Trail Conditions: yes

Website if it is available: [Web Link]

Hours of Operation: Daily 9:00am - 4:30pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Visit Instructions:
Logs should be accompanied by at least 1 image taken by you at the facility or if you do not have a camera a good description of the Waymark you are visiting.
This will give us proof you were actually there.
Search for...
Geocaching.com Google Map
Google Maps
MapQuest
Bing Maps
Nearest Waymarks
Nearest Ranger Stations
Nearest Geocaches
Create a scavenger hunt using this waymark as the center point
Recent Visits/Logs:
Date Logged Log User Rating  
Benchmark Blasterz visited Moton Field - Tuskegee, AL 07/28/2017 Benchmark Blasterz visited it