Abbreviated History of Souther Field
In 1917, Americus submitted its bid to provide an
aviation camp to train pilots for the U.S. Army.
Americus was later named as a location for a
training camp for pilots and the contract for the
construction of Souther Field was let on February 7,
1918. Work was begun on February 19th. The contract
was let on the basis of cost plus 10 percent to J.
B. McCrary Co. of Atlanta, GA and the Hardaway
Construction Co. of Columbus, GA.
In 1918, Souther Field gave more
flying hours than any field in the entire country
and had quarters for 2,000 cadets.
During the years just after WWI was
over, there were a lot of surplus aircraft available
for purchase. In 1923 Charles Lindbergh bought one
of the planes still in a wooden box and assembled it
with the help of some locals. He soon made his first
solo flight and as they say, "the rest is history."
In 1929, Souther Field was purchased
by Sumter County. But it was not until 1940 that
reconstruction of the field began in preparation for
a new cadet pilot school to train U.S. and British
pilots. The training facility was operated by Graham
Aviation. This continued through WWII.
In 1946, Sumter County again took
possession of Souther Field for use as a civil
airport to be operated by Graham Aviation and
offering flying instruction to anyone.
In 1948, South Georgia
Trade and Vocational School (now
South Georgia Technical
College) was established on the
historical campus. Some ten years later the local
airport facility was relocated to the East of the
original location and retained the historical name.
In 2009, local officials made a decision to change
the name of the facility to the Jimmy Carter
Regional Airport.
Armhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgqeRzgMOfo
|
 |
Mike was a local aviation
historian, a friend and a contributor to this website. Click on
the link below.
https://vimeo.com/user11289549/review/125277721/4311c7c879
|

|
Sadley Mike lost his life
along with fellow pilot Edd Anthony in the crash of Edd's plane about a mile away having just left
Souther Field on their way to EAA in Oshkosh, WI on July 24,
2019.
|
The following articles are found in the South Georgia Historic Newspapers Archive and is
presented online by the Digital Library of Georgia.
Click on the
following link
http://sgnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/search
to search for other information that may be contained in South
Georgia Newspapers 1845 - 1923.
"Work on Aviation Camp Has
Begun Americus Times-Recorder, Feb. 7, 1918 page 1
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0040
"Souther Field" Camp Site Named Americus Times-Recorder,
Mar. 7, 1918 page 6
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0077
"Camp Activities for Aviation Boys Gets Early Start
Americus Times-Recorder, Mar. 14, 1918
page 3
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0082
"Steel Hangers to be
Erected at Flying Camp"
Americus Times-Recorder, Mar. 28, 1918
page
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0098
"Camp Activities for
Aviation Boys Gets Early Start" Americus Times-Recorder, Mar. 28, 1918
page 9
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0082
"Ditching Machine Belonging to City Brings $10 a Day"
Americus Times-Recorder, Mar. 28, 1918
page 8
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0103
"Flying Squadron is Expected Here in a Few Weeks"
Americus Times-Recorder, Apr. 4, 1918
page 8
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0111
"High Marks Made by Dan Chappell
- Americus Boy in the Aviation Service Completes His First Course and Goes to Another Camp"
Americus Times-Recorder, Apr. 11, 1918
page 6
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0117
"This City Must Raise $2,500 to Be "Cleaned UP -
Government Would Then Spend About Twenty Thousand Additional Making Americus Absolutely Sanitary"
Americus Times-Recorder, Apr. 18, 1918
page 4
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0123
"Aviation People" ad for Ansley's Americus Times-Recorder, Apr. 18, 1918
page 8
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0127
"Great Parade for Americus Memorial Day"
Americus Times-Recorder, Apr. 25, 1918
page 1
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0128
"Major Wash to be Commandant"
Americus Times-Recorder, Apr. 25, 1918
page 4
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0131
"Swamps Will Be Drained by US Sanitary Forces"
Americus Times-Recorder, May 2, 1918
page 1
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0131
"250 Students For Camp"
Americus Times-Recorder, May 9, 1918
page 1
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0144
"Camp Will Obey All Food Rules Says Major Wash"
Americus Times-Recorder, May 9, 1918
page 4
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0144
"City is Thrilled By Army Aviator"
Americus Times-Recorder, May 9, 1918
page 7
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0150
"Cut Off" (Cut Off Community?)
Americus Times-Recorder, May 9, 1918
page 7
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0150
"Order Is Issued About Screening"
Americus Times-Recorder, May 16, 1918
page 1
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0152
"Military Ball To Be Held Saturday"
Americus Times-Recorder, May 16, 1918
page 1
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0152
"Landing Stations In Nearby Cities Sought"
Americus Times-Recorder, May 16, 1918
page 1
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0152
"Special Permits To Aviation Camp"
Americus Times-Recorder, May 16, 1918
page 1
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0152
"The Souther Field"
The Home Journal (Perry, GA) May 23, 1918 page 2
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:hhj1918-0154
"Souther Field Fliers
May Land Here" The Vienna News May 23, 1918 page 5
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:vnw1918-0157
"Student Aviators Arrive This Week"
Americus Times-Recorder, May 23, 1918
page 1
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0160
"Soldiers Club Organized Here"
Americus Times-Recorder, May 23, 1918
page 4
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0163
"Death - Maurice J. Peters"
Americus Times-Recorder, May 23, 1918
page 5
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0164
"Soldier Killed at Bathing Pool - Maurice J. Peters"
Americus Times-Recorder, May 23, 1918
page 6
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0165
"Soldier At Souther Field is Attacked" Americus Times-Recorder, May 30, 1918
page 6
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0173
"Cut Off" (Cut Off Community?)
Americus Times-Recorder, May 30, 1918
page 8
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0175
"Magazines and Flowers to The Hospital"
Americus Times-Recorder, Jun. 6, 1918
page 5
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0180
"Officers of the
Aviation Camp at Souther Field" The Home Journal (Perry, GA) page 6
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:hhj1918-0182
"Ellaville News"
Americus Times-Recorder, Jun. 13, 1918
page 4
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0187
"Dance At Armory"
Americus Times-Recorder, Jun. 13, 1918
page 5
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0188
"Sumter County Grand Jury Presentments"
Americus Times-Recorder, Jun. 20, 1918
page 3
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0192
"Camp Athletics Will Start Soon"
Americus Times-Recorder, Jun. 20, 1918
page 8
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0197
"Americus To Observe 4th"
Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 4, 1918
page 1
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0198
"120 Aeroplanes At Souther Field" Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 4, 1918
page 4
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0201
"Red Cross Ladies To Entertain Cadets"
Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 4, 1918
page 5
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0202
"Visitors from Vienna
to Souther Field" The Vienna News July 11, 1918 page 4
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:vnw1918-0214
"Officers Thank Chamber Here for Barbecue"
Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 12, 1918
page 1
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0206
"Local News & Wanted"
Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 12, 1918
page 4
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0209
"Barbecue For Officers"
Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 12, 1918 page 7
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0212
"Mark Aston Not Killed As Was First Reported"
Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 18, 1918
page 1
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0216
"Dance At The Post"
Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 18, 1918
page 5
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0220
"Crawford Given Important Offer"
Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 18, 1918
page 6
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0221
"Rent Situation Discussed Here In A Brisk Way"
Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 25, 1918
page 3
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0226
"John A. Worthy Passed Away At Camp Hospital"
Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 25, 1918
page 4
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0227
"Watermelon Cutting"
Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 25, 1918
page 5
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0228
"Committee Has
Completed Plans for Big Barbecue" Americus Times-Recorder July 25, 1918
page 3
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0226
"Malone Back From Blue Ridge Meet" Americus
Times-Recorder July 25, 1918 page 6
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0229
"Protest
Against Sunday Baseball" Americus Times-Recorder August 1, 1918 page 1
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0232
&
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0239
"630 Men at Souther Field Participated in "Y"
Activities" Americus Times-Recorder August 1, 1918 page 4
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0235
"Ladies Secure Funds to Screen Y.M.C.A."
Americus Times-Recorder August 1, 1918 page 4
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0235
"Dance at Post" Americus Times-Recorder August
1, 1918 page 5
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0236
"Political Rally at Buena Vista" The Vienna
News August 1, 1918 page 4
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:vnw1918-0238
"Lt. Ansley Writes Friend to Approve Stand Maj.
Wash Took on Baseball" Americus Times-Recorder August 8, 1918 page 1
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0240
"Birdmen Fly Over the City Often" The Vienna
News August 15, 1918 page 1
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:vnw1918-0251
MORE TO BE ADDED. PLEASE CHECK BACK
LATER.