Seventy-five years ago, on June 5, 1933, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was paying a quick visit to Southern Arizona. An avid flyer, the first lady was stopping off on her transcontinental trip to the West Coast. She arrived here in “a big mail plane.”
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1933 Library of Congress
Eleanor Roosevelt
While in Tucson, she stayed with her good friend Isabella Greenway. Greenway had been a bridesmaid at the Roosevelt wedding and was founder of the Arizona Inn. She would also serve as a congresswoman.
While here, Roosevelt also visited with her son, Elliott, who flew in from California to join her. Their Tucson stay was very low key and she had no public appearances other than a brief talk at the airport.
“With her eyes twinkling and a broad smile on her face” she addressed the crowd from an open top police car. She expressed her pleasure with the number of 4-H members in the crowd and spoke of her special interest in 4-H clubs.
Mrs. Roosevelt had already made a stop in Douglas, Arizona for an important milestone in that city’s history. Earlier in the day, she dedicated the Douglas International Airport as the first international airport in the country. She also presented the town with a proclamation.
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Courtesy of Douglas Historical Society
Proclamation signed by Eleanor Roosevelt
The airport shared a north-south runway with the airport in Aqua Prieta. It was possible for a plane to land in one country, swing open a gate and travel to the other country to clear customs. Then, the flight could continue on to its destination.
Today, June 5, the city of Douglas and the Cochise County Historical Society are holding a celebration of the event. The celebration will be held at the Douglas Airport at 5 p.m. At that time, they will unveil a plaque commemorating the 75th anniversary of the First Lady’s visit and her declaration of the airport’s international status.
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Courtesy of Cochise County Historical Society
The commemorative plaque for the Douglas International Airport
Special thanks to Christopher Overlock, President of the Cochise County Historical Society. He provided this blog suggestion and the photos.
