When Charles Lindbergh touched down in Jacksonville
Lindbergh honors Jacksonville
The visit of world-famous aviator Charles Lindbergh to Jacksonville in October of 1927 galvanized the entire state, catapulting Jacksonville and its Municipal Airport into the limelight. It was a pivotal event, one that might be said to have jump-started the city’s subsequent long and distinguished record of contributions to Florida aviation history.
In the wake of his triumphant solo transatlantic flight from New York to Paris in May 1927, Charles Lindbergh became an international icon. He followed up on his transatlantic crossing with a three-month, nationwide, tour of the U.S., sponsored by the Daniel Guggenheim Fund for the Promotion of Aeronautics. The tour, which began on July 20, 1927 from Mitchel Field, NY, aimed to promote aviation and airport development. Jacksonville was honored as the only Florida city officially included in Lindbergh’s itinerary, with a visit scheduled for October 10, 1927.
Excitement builds as visit looms
Preparations for Lindbergh’s arrival were nothing short of monumental. Railroad companies slashed fares to less than one-way excursion rates to encourage Floridians to attend. October 10th was dubbed “Lindbergh Day.” Cities across the state mobilized their finest—sending bands and boy scouts and, in Tampa’s case, even a gold plaque inviting Lindbergh to visit the Gulf Coast in the future.
Aviator given hero’s welcome
Jacksonville planned what was described as the largest parade and reception in its history. A “monster parade” featuring floats from Orlando, Daytona Beach, Tampa, New Smyrna, Madison, Miami, St. Augustine and other cities was scheduled to begin at 10 AM. These motorized floats, decorated trucks, cars, and motorcycles were joined by a replica of Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis aircraft.
At noon, the parade commenced from Springfield Park, led by 2,500 Boy Scouts from across Florida. A dozen bands and drill corps added to the pageantry. The motorcade was timed to escort Lindbergh from the Municipal Airport along flag-lined streets to the stadium, where he would be welcomed by Florida Governor John W. Martin, Jacksonville Mayor John Alsop, and other dignitaries.
Despite a drenching downpour, Lindbergh’s arrival at 1:44 PM was met with what newspapers called “the greatest ovation ever accorded in Jacksonville.” The Spirit of St. Louis circled the downtown area four times, dipping in salute to the cheering crowds before landing flawlessly at the Municipal Airport, where 8,000 people awaited.
Lindbergh was transported to the stadium, where his car pulled up to the speaker’s stand. As the rain intensified, the crowd of 10,000 remained undeterred, soaking in both water and history. The floats were praised as among the prettiest ever seen in Jacksonville, and the event was hailed as Florida’s official welcome to Lindbergh.
Banquet for an icon
That evening, Lindbergh was the guest of honor at a banquet held at the George Washington Hotel. Newspapers published etiquette guidelines urging citizens to treat Lindbergh with utmost respect—no back slaps, no souvenir hunting from his aircraft, and no attempts to visit the airfield uninvited!
Successful tour boosts public interest in aviation
On October 11, Lindbergh departed Jacksonville at 9:18 AM, bound for Atlanta. All in all, over the course of his U.S. tour, Lindbergh flew the Spirit of St. Louis to 48 states, visiting 92 cities, giving 147 speeches. The event was covered in newspapers nationwide and was an unqualified success in sparking a surge of public interest in aviation, boosting airmail usage and airport construction nationwide.
Jacksonville’s Municipal Airport was still under construction at the time of Lindbergh’s visit in 1927. It was formally dedicated a little over a year later, on December 9, 1928, when it became a stop on the newly inaugurated Miami-Atlanta Air Mail route flown by Pitcairn Aviation Company.