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In 1910, Rex Smith, D.C. resident, patent attorney, and inventor built a hangar and some small buildings to store his airplane and run his aviation school from.

In this photograph, crowds gather to see the Bleriot XI airplane.

Emile Berliner on the right

In 1918, a compass rose was added to the airfield to help air mail pilots find their way and stay on the correct route.

Here, a Berliner Helicopter prototype is on the compass rose. Between 1920 and 1924, father and son duo, Emile and Henry…

Run-down air mail hangar and water tower in background

Aerial view

Airport manager George Brinckerhoff added a small gold course to the airfield. He would often play a hole or two with his students after a flying lesson.

Airport manager George Brinckerhof used the three remaining Army Aviation School hangars to store his planes for the Brinckerhoff Flying Service. He taught many people to fly, including University of Maryland students who served during World War Two.…

Airport manager George Brinckerhoff added an office building complete with adding machines and a popular Coca-Cola cooler. In a 2005 archaeological dig, many Coca-Cola bottles were found on the site of this building.