Haysfield Airport

Summary

Haysfield Airport - MD24 was an airport located in Howard County, Maryland.

Haysfield Airport

Haysfield
Summary
OwnerAlfred Bassler
OperatorAlfred Bassler
ServesClarksville, Maryland
LocationClarksville, Maryland
Opened1974
Closed2012
Occupants27
Elevation AMSL128 m / 420 ft
Coordinates39°14′N 76°56′W / 39.233°N 76.933°W / 39.233; -76.933
Map
MD24 is located in Maryland
MD24
MD24
Location of airport in Maryland
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
13/31 732 2,400 Grass

History edit

Haysfield Airport started operations in 1974.[1] The airport was founded by Alfred Bassler. Bassler's father owned a large strategic parcel and airfield where Howard Research Associates intended to build the development of Columbia, Maryland. Bassler exchanged land to avoid capital gains for a 504-acre Hayland farm in nearby Clarksville, Maryland where he established Haysfield Airport and a tree nursery.[2] At its peak the airfield hosted 50 aircraft onsite. The airfield faced regular zoning battles throughout its history.[3][4] There were efforts to convert the airport to public use, but the NSA and Maryland Aviation Administration opposed the plan.[5]

After the September 11th attacks, a series of highly restrictive airspace changes now called the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Special Flight Rules Area overlapped the field slowing business.[6] In 2013, the airfield was closed by the Bassler family corporation in a 5 to 3 vote in order to create the 159 unit Walnut Creek housing development.[7]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "MD24 - Haysfield Airport". SkyVector. Archived from the original on May 29, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  2. ^ Barnhardt, Laura (May 19, 1996). "Farmers: town's forgotten pioneers In 1960s, they sold land to Rouse, making Columbia possible". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on July 2, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  3. ^ E.H. (June 9, 1982). "Bassler wins appeal for airfield zoning". The Baltimore Sun. ProQuest 537998069.
  4. ^ "Zoners allow airstrip amid corn fields". The Baltimore Sun. July 28, 1975. ProQuest 535534343.
  5. ^ Nelson, Erik (January 5, 1995). "Pact for new airport would keep Haysfield rustic". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024.
  6. ^ Adams, Paul (July 21, 2003). "Baltimore-Area Flight Limits Frustrate Pilots, Choke Small Airports' Business". Knight Ridder Tribune Business News. ProQuest 463866387.
  7. ^ Holzberg, Janene (December 19, 2013). "Clarksville's Basslers say goodbye to family farm, Haysfield Airport". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2016.