Picture Gallery

This picture gallery gives you an impression of the history of aviation in Lee County. If you click on one of these pictures you will see it in the original size.

Channing Page

Clarence Chamberlin. Photo courtesy Mrs. Clarence Chamberlin

Fort Myers Municipal Airport on Edison Avenue, used by private aircraft when Page Field was taken over by the Army Air Force for World War II. Photo courtesy Perry Snell, Jr.

Airlines began scheduled airmail service into Fort Myers in 1937 using the Ryan planes pictured here. Photo courtesy Fred Bryant

Station agent and pilot Perry Snell, Jr. stands at the National Airlines ticket counter ready to welcome 1947 tourists. Photo courtesy Perry Snell

Two Piper J-3 Cubs fly over the concrete apron and nose hangars from World War II. Fort Myers Airways now uses the ramps but the hangars are long gone. Photo courtesy Perry Snell

Jet South plane, with Gary LeTellier, Airport Manager, and FAA officials on board, tests the runways prior to receiving their certificate of operation. Photo courtesy Fort Myers News-Press.

World War II bombardier in training at Buckingham Gunnery School. by Oscar Corbin. Photo courtesy Oscar Corbin.

May 15, 1955, the new $25,000 Page Field terminal is dedicated. Cutting the ribbon is Miss Fort Myers, Sue Marcum, daughter of Station Master W. H. Marcum. Behind her are Wilson Pigott Chairman of the County Commissioners; Heard Edwards, Mayor. John L. Morris, Vice President of Public Affairs for National Airlines; and Dr. John S. Steward, Chairman of Rotary Club Aviation Committee. Photo courtesy W. H. Marcum

Roger Sitkin, first passenger to arrive at Southwest Regional Airport on Delta flight 1677, May 14,1983, was greeted with flowers and champagne. Photo courtesy Fort Myers News-Press

First Officer Diane Powell, a native of Lee County, flies for Northwest Airlines. Photo courtesy of Richmond Powell.

Stain Beverly Bass, American Airlines pilot, brought American's inaugural flight into Fort Myers. Bass received her first flight training at Fort Myers Airways. Photo courtesy Fort Myers News Press

The new airport ready for the cocktail party celebrating the opening of the new Facility May 14, 1983. Photo courtesy of Fort Myers News-Press

Two days before the opening, invited guests sip champagne as they admire the new terminal at Southwest Florida Regional Airport. Photo courtesy of Fort Myers News Press.

From the second floor concourse, the escalators carry passengers as they look down on the spacious lobby of the new terminal building. Photo courtesy Fort Myers News-Press

Waiting areas at the departure gates give ample seating and generous walkways for incoming and outgoing passengers. Photo courtesy Fort Myers News-Press

An aerial photo view taken in June 1983 shows loading ramp, terminal and runway as it began operation. Photo courtesy Lee County Port Authority and Southwest Florida International Airport, April 13, 1993. Photo by Clement Photographic Services