top of page

Greenville Downtown Airport HISTORY

History

Opened in 1928 and was initially named Greenville Municipal Airport.

In 1930, GMU received its first airmail flight.

Amelia Earhart visited GMU the weekend of November 12 - 14, 1931.

From 1942 to 1945, GMU served as a US Army Air Corps glider base.

Up until 1962, GMU was THE commercial airport for the Greenville area.

The current terminal was originally constructed in 1953 and renovated in 1991

The Greenville News covered Amelia Earhart's visit

First Air Mail Flight into GMU in 1930

Alester G. Furman, Congressman J.J. McSwain, Postmaster
H.A. Costner, Frank G. Hamblen (President of the Chamber of Commerce),
Pilot Pete Branson and Mayor A.C. Mann.
Courtesy of Greenville County Historical Society, Greenville, SC

First Air Mail Flight into GMU in 1930

Pilot Dick Merrill holds his two baby lion mascots as he is greated
by Mr. Mann and Mr. Costner.
Courtesy of Greenville County Historical Society, Greenville, SC

Courtesy of Greenville County Historical Society

19th Army Air Force Glider Training Detachment around 1941-43

19th Army Air Force Glider Training Detachment around 1941-43 Courtesy of Greenville County Historical Society, Greenville, SC

B-24 on South Ramp in 1943

Courtesy of Greenville County Historical Society, Greenville, SC

Southern Airways Plane

Courtesy of Greenville County Historical Society, Greenville, SC

Airport Canteen at GMU

Courtesy of Greenville County Historical Society, Greenville, SC

Courtesy of Greenville County Historical Society, Greenville, SC

Courtesy of Greenville County Historical Society, Greenville, SC

Courtesy of Greenville County Historical Society, Greenville, SC

Courtesy of Greenville County Historical Society, Greenville, SC

A14 Carolina Aviation Hangar

Courtesy of Greenville County Historical Society, Greenville, SC

A64 Greenville Airport Eastern Airlines Plane

Courtesy of Greenville County Historical Society, Greenville, SC

Courtesy of Greenville County Historical Society, Greenville, SC

A42 Eastern Airlines Collage

Courtesy of Greenville County Historical Society, Greenville, SC

JPS Waiting Room Greenville 1954

Photographer Unknown

Terminal in 1991

Photographer Unknown

DC-3 at GMU in 1954

Courtesy of Joe Jordan Photography

bottom of page