Sessums’ History Snippet: The oldest little airport in Texas

Back when the hubby still owned his classic Cessna 172, we loved to take short trips to airports and airstrips in the neighborhood of wherever we were living.  Lots of times these were connected with grabbing a bite to eat or as pilots say, “Grabbing a $100 hamburger.” 

We no longer have our airplane, but I still have fond memories of some of the fun places we visited.  One of my favorites was Wisener Field here in Mineola, Texas.  Now let me just say, I adore EVERYTHING about Mineola.  It’s one of my favorite historic downtowns and we drive over often to watch a movie at the “oldest continually operating movie theater” there too.  

Wisener Field got its start in 1917 when a U.S Army Signal Corps pilot flying a biplane, searched for and found a suitable landing spot in a former orchard in Mineola.  Known as Massangale’s meadow, a very young boy watched that touchdown and became enthralled with airplanes and flying.  

Young Henry Wisener eventually became a pilot in WWI and then developed an aviation business on what is now called Wisener Field.  

I make mention of the Wisener airport in my upcoming release, The Missing Daughter Mystery which you can get on preorder HERE.

Want to know more about it?  Click below to watch fun video with a tour of the airstrip. My husband and I have spent much time with the lovely and effervescent Lupita Wisener featured in this clip.