Michigan’s First Commercial Airport – 1919

By Bob Cannon

We all know the Selfridge Air Naval Guard base is the largest and best known airport in Macomb County today. But did you know that Michigan’s first commercial airport was in Roseville (formerly Erin Township)?

The story began in 1919 when the Packard Motor Car Company leased the property at Frazho Road and Gratiot Avenue, designating it as the Packard Aviation Field. It was only two years after Selfridge Airport, known as Selfridge Field, had its first flight in 1917. Then in 1929 the property was sold and became known as the Gratiot Airport.

There is a bit of confusion and disagreement as to the airport’s ‘official’ name having been referred to as Packard Field, Gratiot Airport, Detroit Gratiot Airport, Greater Detroit Airport and the Roseville Airport. The last unofficial name in the community was Hartung Airport.

There is little dispute though that this was the site of the first commercial airfield in Michigan and that many brave souls took to the skies in the early days of aviation. This certainly helped the proper development of aviation.

And there are many stories that circulated about the famous early pilots who flew in and out of the airport. One thing is certain – the airport was a source of pride for all who used it as well as the community that welcomed the airport with this fledgling industry that changed the world.

In the photo above you see Hangar No 1 of the Packard Avaition Field Airport with three one-seat aircrafts of that time. These planes were made primarily of wood and cloth with much simpler, less powerful engines. Planes were lighter than modern planes with basic instrumentation. It appears to be a windy summer day as the airport windsock is fully extended and the American flag is billowing in the breeze. We do see one person walking toward the hangar, most likely a pilot.

So now that you know about the airport, what became of it?

Eastgate Shopping Center was constructed on the site, being the first shopping center of its kind in Michigan. In 1954, a new Federal’s department store, along with 41 other shops, opened to the public as the the state’s largest one story department store. Part of Michigan’s first  commercial  airport  had  officially become Michigan’s first outdoor shopping mall continuing as an asset to the community. There is a plaque at the mall commemorating its aviation history.

Photo courtesy of the Roseville Public Library Archives. Special thanks to Rachel Smith, Roseville Public Library.