The origin of the Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) evolved against a wartime backdrop. As with many airfields across the United States, CAK's initial funding was proposed at a time when the nation was most concerned about air defense, during World War II. Although fraught with controversy and delays, the Akron-Canton Airport's beginnings have laid an aviation foundation that currently contributes over $300 million in local economic impact and connects more than 1.4 million passengers to destinations worldwide.
A look back to the early years of aviation development in the Akron-Canton region involves a complex cast of characters, a multitude of interests and resulted in a revolutionary government partnership. In September 1940, with Hitler threatening world domination in World War II, the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) announced $500 million in new funds for airport construction in the United States. The Ohio Airports section received $15 million to establish 104 ports statewide. $231,600 was earmarked for a Class 2 airfield (limited to 20-passenger planes) in Canton. Three sites for the new airport were initially considered: McKinley Airport on Mahoning Road, 144 acres; Martin Field on the Harrisburg Road, 170 acres; and the Harvey Miller farm, 400 acres.
On October 5, 1942, after the invasion of Pearl Harbor, Senator Harold H. Burton announced that the CAA had approved $2 million for the construction of an airport in or near Canton. The airport would have three runways, each 5,600 feet in length by 150 feet wide, on a tract of at least 800 acres that would be available for military aircraft. In order to secure the $2 million in funding, Canton needed to purchase the site estimated at between $100,000 and $200,000. In December 1942, Canton City Council approved a transfer of $200,000 from the Timken War Profit Tax revenues to purchase a site for the new airport.
Because the original three sites were too small and the initial request had drawn out to more than two years, the CAA favored a site south of the Greensburg-Greentown Road in Summit County, north of Canton. The site was selected by Frederic S. Wilkins because its excellent elevation and because there was plenty of room to grow. To salvage Stark County's influence over the development of the new airport, the Canton Chamber of Commerce, under the leadership of President B.T. Bonnot, advocated a bi-county approach to serving the 600,000 people who lived in both counties- Summit and Stark. Massillon and Alliance Chambers of Commerce also joined the committee. In 1943, Stark and Summit County Commissioners and Chamber of Commerce representatives agreed to work together on a jointly sponsored CAA airport. Early leaders of the airport development committee included: County Prosecutor D.D. McLaughlin, W.E. Spencer, legal advisor to Summit County, and assistant Stark County prosecuting attorney, Frederic S. Wilkins and five members appointed by the Canton and Akron Chambers of Commerce.
Although the team approach had many merits, airport development suffered another set back. The committee drafted legislation, for Ohio State Senate approval, that would secure funding and approve the revolutionary "team approach" to managing the airfield. It was submitted and defeated after the railroad lobby effectively disabled the State legislation.
Stark and Summit County commissioners though, were determined to move the project forward. Upon further examination of the legal implications of jointly creating an airfield, it was determined that State authorities could not override local intent. So on April 27, 1943, the commissioners victoriously announced the new airfield's name- The Canton-Akron Memorial Airport- honoring veterans of the two world wars. The Stark County Commissioners adopted a resolution to issue bonds amounting to $100,000 for their share of the purchase of the land.
J.E. Kinnison, a Canton attorney, disputed the use of tax dollars to purchase the property in Summit County and effectively blocked the resolution in June 1943. Undeterred, the Canton Chamber of Commerce formed a special committee to solicit private contributions to satisfy Stark County's $100,000 obligation. In September of the same year, the Timken Roller Bearing Company gave $50,000 to purchase the land, with the remaining $50,000 donated by nine other leading Stark County industries: Morgan Engineering Company, Hercules Motors Corporation, Union Metal Company, Brush-Moore Newspapers Inc., Hoover Company, Diebold Inc., Tyson Roller Bearing Company, Republic Stamping &Enameling Company, and Canton Drop Forging &Manufacturing Company. The Southern Summit County site was 1,163.16 acres in 26 separate parcels of real estate.
With the delivery of Stark County's $100,000, commissioners from both counties decided that Summit County Commissioners would purchase the property and operate, maintain, and further develop it under the CAA. Summit County agreed to name the new airport Canton-Akron Memorial Airport. To fulfill their obligation to the joint facility, it was also decided that Stark County would provide 48.10 percent of the cost of the land. Summit County agreed to pay 51.9 percent of the land cost, giving them control over the operation and maintenance of the airfield. Operating revenues were restricted to an airport fund for operational purposes only.
Governance of the bi-county airfield came in the form of a board of trustees- two appointed by the Summit County Commissioners and two by the Stark County Commissioners. The trustees met quarterly, appointed the Airport superintendent and employees, fixed pay, and adopted rules and regulations. The trustees were also responsible for preparing plans and specifications for capital improvements, subject to the approval of the Summit County Commissioners. In March 1944 the first four trustees were appointed: Henry H. Timken Jr., and F.S. Wilkins from Stark County, and Lon L. Tighe and Gillum H. Doolittle from Summit County. Later Mr. Tighe died and was replaced by Arthur F. Ranney. The agreement was rewritten in 1948 and again in 1955, when the board was increased from 4 to 8 members. The airport was governed in this manner until October 1964. Then the Board of County Commissioners of both Stark and Summit Counties approved the creation of the Airport Authority pursuant to section 308 of the Ohio Revised Code. This newly enacted State legislation allowed the two counties to form the first bi-county Airport Authority in the State of Ohio. The airport has been governed by an Airport Authority since that date.
In February 1946, eight months prior to the airport's dedication, American, Eastern, Capital, and United announced their plans to move from Akron Municipal Airport to Canton-Akron Memorial Airport. Outraged, Akron City and airport officials claimed that the airlines would be violating their lease agreements if they moved. The airlines argued that the natural bowl in which the Akron Municipal Airport was located (with the Goodyear Zeppelin dock on one side and Derby Downs@ on the other), foggy conditions, and short runways created hazardous conditions for commercial pilots. City officials also protested that travel cost would increase significantly if the airlines moved south.
To help alleviate the tension, the Airport was renamed the Akron-Canton-Massillon Airport. Later, Massillon was dropped from the name and replaced by "regional", representing the many communities that helped develop the airport over the years. Akron-Canton Regional Airport is currently the airfield's official name although for advertising and communication purposes, the terminal is referred to as Akron-Canton Airport.
Akron Municipal Airport lost its fight to hold the four airlines in October 1947 when the CAA recommended that they be transferred to Akron-Canton Airport. Akron Municipal though, continued to fight the move, offering a huge terminal expansion and extension or their runways to 5,340 and 5,400 feet. It was not until March 9, 1948, that the Civil Aeronautics Board allowed the four airlines to move to the new Airport.
July 1, 1948 marked the beginning of passenger air service at the Akron-Canton Airport by American and United Airlines. Capital and Eastern moved August 14, 1948 bringing the total of daily flights up to 35. General, military and corporate aviation developed simultaneously with the commercial service.
By March 1953, the airfield needed a new terminal building to replace the small temporary structure erected hurriedly before opening the airport. But as with most of the airport's early development, building a new terminal was plagued with setbacks. It took nearly two years to secure funding and break ground on the new terminal.
When the Airport reached its 10th birthday, October 13, 1956, the number of passengers flying from Akron-Canton had grown from 92,000 in 1946 to 193,000, an increase of 125 percent. The building was expanded again in 1962. In 1966, access to to the airport improved dramatically when I-77 was completed. The new interstate featured a dedicated airport ramp.
Over the years many airlines have served CAK including, Presidential, Eastern, Piedmont, Republic, Air Wisconsin, Allegheny, Freedom, American, Continental, delta, United, AirTran Airways, Air Georgian and Northwest, US Airways and Aeromech.
In 1981, Frederick J. Krum was appointed Director of Aviation. Under the guidance of the Board of Trustees, he has supervised the highest level of capital investment in airport history. His accomplishments include but are not limited to extending Runways 5/23 and 1/19; a total $70 million investment in terminal expansions and enhancements; acquiring hundreds of acres of property; and representing the airport's interests in the public and private sectors. He has been recognized as the SME Executive of the Year and on the Power 100 list of influential people in Northeast Ohio published annually by Northeast Ohio's Inside Business Magazine.
Today Akron-Canton Airport offers the lowest average fare in Ohio airports. Two outstanding low cost carriers- AirTran Airways and Frontier Airlines- anchor the airline services. They, plus four network carriers, offer nonstop flights to destinations throughout the United States. The airport sits on 2,700 acres of property, has two intersecting runways (featuring ILS landing), a 24-hour tower, 170,000 square foot terminal, branded concessions and 90 arrival and departure flights on six airlines.
It is governed by an eight member Board of Trustees; four of whom are appointed by the Summit County Executive (and approved by Council) and four of whom are appointed by Stark County Commissioners. Board members serve four year terms and can be reappointed indefinitely.
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