The first Municipal Airport Building was erected in 1929, by the Public Park Board in response to an urgent plea by two of the City's leading entrepreneurs, John T. Woodruff and Lester E. Cox.

Land for the facility was purchased from James McCluer and his son, Carl McCluer, an amateur aviator, was appointed temporary airport manager. The airport site apparently had been used prior to the purchase as a field for amateur aviators. The new airport was named McCluer Field.

The building was the scene of arrival to Springfield of a number of distinguished visitors, including famed flyers Charles Lindbergh and Wiley Post.

The port and the building served the City well until 1946, when the new airport was built west of town. The old Administration Building was eventually converted into apartments, and then to Alpha House, a half-way house for men who had been incarcerated.

Approved: 1/9/80