Bader Field
Bader Field is an airport owned by the city of Atlantic City that was closed in 2006. The 142 acre site is surrounded on three sides by water and is considered one of the most valuable pieces of open land on the East Coast. Bader Field is for sale. A process has been set up to facilitate competitive bidding for the site. The property is expected to fetch about $1 billion for the city.
Bader Field Map
Image by Google Maps.
Bader Field opened in 1910 and was authorized for passenger service in 1911. Bader Field was also known as Atlantic City Municipal Airport. The first attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean by air was made from Bader Field, by a dirigible. The Spirit of St. Louis landed at Bader Field. Every U.S. President from Theodore Roosevelt through Gerald Ford flew into Atlantic City, landing at Bader Field.
Bader Field From Space
Image by Google Earth.
In 2005, the Cessna Citation Jet overran the runway on landing, ending up in the adjoining Intracoastal Waterway. This accident location is marked on the above photo. Bader Field was an active airport up through the 1980's, however because it is surrounded by water on three sides it was not considered feasible to lengthen the runways to accommodate jet aircraft. By the 1990's activity at Bader Field declined significantly in favor of the Atlantic City International Airport, as that airport had longer runways. Bader Field was closed in 2006.