Keep the history of the Sandwich Airport alive
The Sandwich Airport in Sandwich, Illinois, is for sale. The airport was founded in April of 1947 by veteran World War II pilot, Roger Vincent, a native of Sandwich, when he returned home from World War II.
Vincent owned the airport only four short years, and sold it to the aircraft mechanic, Frank Ament. Ament owned and operated the airport until 1978, when he sold it to pilot and real estate developer, George W. Pearce.
Under Pearce, the airport thrived by providing crop dusting services, airplane sales, plane reconstruction, sky diving opportunities, and flight training, not to mention a small restaurant on site. In 1995, however, the airport's status changed from a commercial status to a restricted landing area (RLA), meaning that the airport is now a private enterprise, with take-offs and landings limited to private use only. Permission is required prior to landing there.
Pearce obtained his pilot's license, his real estate broker's license, and his insurance broker's license all in 1950 after finishing his service in the Navy. He formed the Lincoln Development Corporation and built the asphalt runway at the airport, along with the Woodlake Landing Subdivision that borders the airstrip, and all 20 or so airplane hangars that are part of the property.
After Pearce's death, his son, George F. Pearce, took over operations and ownership of the airport to keep the history and existence of the airport alive.
Pearce is also an airplane and flying enthusiast and hobbyist like his late father. He has built at least five ultra-light planes himself, and two Challenger planes, which are a two-person version of an ultra-light. He has his pilot's license and flies as a hobby even to this day.
The Sandwich Airport has mainly single engine planes that take-off and land there, although there are a few twin engines that call the Sandwich RLA their home base. It would not be unusual to see an Eclipse jet fly in on occasion to have work done at the paint shop. In addition to the 3,000- by 50-foot asphalt runway, there is also a grass runway that measures 1,750 feet x 100 feet.
"With all the rain and snow we have had here lately," Pearce joked, "you wouldn't want to land in that grass right now though, unless, of course, you want to dig yourself out of the mud!"
After running the day to day operations of the Sandwich Airport since inheriting the properties, Pearce, now himself in his late 60s, is ready to turn the cockpit over to a new owner and flying enthusiast.
He has dreams that the new owners will keep the Sandwich Airport alive and thriving, so that hobbyists can continue to get together to fly, socialize, and talk about the beauty of the planes, just like in days gone by.
He hopes that the pilots who fly into town for the popular Sandwich Fair every year, can continue this great tradition, and he hopes that the airport will go on being a great asset to the surrounding community.
Pearce has a few short words of advice for the new owner, "Love aviation, promote it, and your days here will be worthwhile!"
If you are interested in learning more about the properties that are for sale at the Sandwich Airport, you can contact Brian Blackmore or Sandy True at Caton Commercial Real Estate Group at (815) 436-5700 or send them an email at brian@catoncommercial.com or sandy@catoncommercial.com.