Beacon Field Airport Traditional Cache

Beacon Field Airport

In 1929, Airway Beacon No. 55, a pilot’s navigation aid, was installed on this site owned by W.F.P Reid. Beacon Field is named for the beacon tower. Under the Civilian Pilot Training Program established in 1938. Ashburn Flying Service trained hundreds of pilots at Beacon Field for military service to support World War II. In 1942, the airport was temporarily closed for security reasons. The Civil Aeronautics Administration Region One Safety Office moved here following the war. Veterans of World War II and the Korean conflict trained under the GI Bill at the Lehman/Reid flying school. Many became commercial pilots. Beacon Field Airport closed 1 October 1959.

Beacon Field Airport was located in the Groveton section of Fairfax County, Virginia, 3.6 miles north of Mount Vernon. The airfield operated from the 1920's and Beacon Field Airport received a license in 1932. Recreational flying, US Mail, military training, post World War II and Korean War GI Bill pilot training, Fixed Based Operator (FBO), and commercial aviation activities were conducted at Beacon Field until the airport closed in 1959. Beacon Field is now the site of modern day Lenclair Park, Target (old Memco), Beacon retail shops (Giant, Lowes, et al), and Beacon Hill Apartments.

On August 19, 2009, the Beacon Field Airport Fairfax County Historic Marker was dedicated in commemoration of aviation pioneer Orville Wright's birthday. The Fairfax County Historic Marker is the highest recognition awarded by the Fairfax County History Commission. Previously in July 2007, Beacon Field Airport at City View site was approved and added to the Fairfax County Inventory of Historic Sites in Lee District!! This nomination was prepared and presented to the Fairfax County History Commission by W.F.P. Reid Sr.'s oldest grandson, Harry P. Lehman.

A little known local fact. Who would have thought this area used to be an airport? The cache is small so bring your own pen (BYOP). Please place the cache back where you found it...Thanks and happy caching.