The airport opened in 1925 as Gauthier's Flying Field. The flying field remained the same size. The park includes a remote control airplane flying field. The city's first airport, Curtiss-Wright Flying Field, opened in 1929. It was renamed Anacostia Experimental Flying Field in June 1918. In 1928 William Mines, an immigrant from Canada, leased land for a flying field. Together with the 9th Aero Squadron, the 8th helped to construct the new flying field. The original airport, Huntsville Flying Field / Mayfair Airport, was south of the city. The area encompassed the Wright brothers' flying field on Huffman Prairie. Huffman Prairie Flying Field is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On 12 December the Army designated the base Fort Richardson and flying field Elmendorf Field.