From race cars to aircraft

The speedway wasn’t the success that Asa Candler had envisioned, and it closed after one season. Not discouraged, Candler began organizing air shows and air races at the field in 1910. ​

Famed aviator Charles K. Hamilton gave flying exhibitions at the speedway in May 1910, with his new Flint Flyer biplane. This was possibly the first aircraft to ever land at what is now the world’s busiest airport.

Grading began in preparation for the new airfield circa 1920, and aviator Doug Davis built the first hangar around 1926. The first scheduled airline service at Atlanta occurred on Sept. 15, 1926.

– Morgan Fayard, 360 Media, Inc.