Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Brandon's Airport Efforts Rewarded

Gurdon's City Council meeting was interrupted briefly Monday night so Mayor Rick Smith could present a plaque to a former member of the Gurdon Airport Commission.

Smith made the presentation to the widow of Tommy Brandon, who was instrumental in getting Lowe Field repaired.

However, the ceremonies couldn't have been accomplished without the aid of Pauline Lowe, who spearheaded the situation.

In addition, Brandon was the first airport commission chairman. The inaugural commission also included Al Brown, Joe Boulder and Glen Neathery, along with Larry White.

During his tenure, Brandon traveled to Little Rock to get funds to improve and repair the airport.

Lowe Field, so named in the late 1980s, was formerly the City Airport, and originally a junk yard.

In the '30s, the site was littered with tin cans, garbage, scattered papers and junked cars, along with other assorted trash.

It was Marcus Lowe's desire to have his own private plane and an air field where he could land it.

Along with his six brothers and sisters, his father, Bert, and neighborhood children, Lowe began working to clear up the area.

Lowe delivered ice during the day and worked in his spare time to earn his private pilot's license. He studied under Harold Bell of Texarkana and made his solo flight July 1, 1934, thereby earning his license.

At the time, dirt and grass were tossed in the air to determine wind direction. The air sock was made of cheese cloth by his mother.

Because of Lowe's determination and work, enthusiasm for the air field spread and the Gurdon Chamber of Commerce donated some funds to help with expenses to improve the field.

The first hanger was built on the site in 1935 by Lowe, his father and volunteer workers.

Gurdon received a check for $50,000 from the Arkansas Aeronautical Commission in Nov. 1987 to improve the airport.

It was officially dedicated as Lowe Field April 16, 1988, with an air show held during the ceremonies.

But this couldn't have been accomplished without the hard work and dedication of Brandon, who strove to make sure the airport would succeed.

Smith, during his presentation to Mary Virginia Brandon, praised Brandon's work and said the airport is important to Gurdon's future success.

In order for the city to recertify as an Arkansas Community of Excellence this year, Smith said work would have to be done on the airport.

When Gurdon originally applied for ACE status, part of the plans were to extend and widen the runway so it could accommodate small jets.

Additionally, a new member was named to the commission, Mary Burns.

This brings the number of commissioners to five. The others include Gary Deaton, Roy Rickett, Mary Brandon and Pauline Lowe.