Amelia Earhart a Key Factor in Anderson Aviation
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
One of America’s aviation pioneers may be more famous for her international contributions to flight, but she’s also likely one of the key reasons Anderson County moved to build a more modern airport.
When Earhart landed in Anderson on Nov. 14, 1931, aviation was still in its toddler stages. Her plane, a Pitcairn PCA-2 Autogiro, was almost as much helicopter as airplane, with spinning blades above the cockpit to allow for landing in areas with shorter or less developed landing strips.
The latter would be a kind description of Anderson’s landing strip, which was on the property near the current civic center and was nowhere near airport status. The land was shared with cattle, and pocked with holes and ruts, so much so that shortly after Earhart’s visit, the state of South Carolina deemed it unusual for aircraft and forbid it’s use as a landing strip.
Anderson Regional Airport has Earhart to thank, since it was the notoriety of her visit that led to the county’s purchase of the land where the airport now operates.
In 1999, Anderson County Council and the Anderson County Museum Commission erected a historical marker commemorating Earhart’s visit. Originally located near the place she landed, it was recently moved near the civic center auditorium for better visiability.
The pioneering aviator was welcomed by local leaders as a part of her nationwide tour promoting Beech-Nut Gum (she handed out samples as part of her visit). Earhart toured Anderson, and promised to try to return someday:
"I will do my best to come back to Anderson some time and when you are in New York come around to see me — I mean that too,” said Earhart. “The welcome here has pleased me more than in any other city on my tour."
Her ill-fated flight around the world, she disappeared over the Pacific Ocean July 2, 1937, never allowed her the opportunity.
The Anderson County Museum, recently featured a tribute to, and information presentation about Earhart and her visit to our town.
