Click on each picture to view a larger size of the picture.
In late 1945, after separation from military service, Howard, Jr., his brother Sandy, and their cousin Ford. B. Rogers, (Buck), committed to work towards fulfilling a dream of theirs that dated back to their college days. Their dream was to create an "Airpark" that would be a mecca for the private pilot. The "Airpark" would have a country club atmosphere and make flying attractive to everyone.
By mid-November of 1945, plans were moving along rather quickly. In a letter dated November 15, 1945, addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Howard W. Showalter, Jr., Sandy wrote the following: "Our company will not be incorporated but will be a partnership. The company's name...'The Showalter Company.' President, H.W. Showalter, Jr.; Vice President, F.B. Rogers, Jr.; Sec. Treas., J.S. Showalter. To date the company has two divisions. #1 Winter Airpark. #2 The Showalter Motorette Co. The main office of the company until the airpark gets set up is 671 Orange Ave., Winter Park."
The letter also gives an update on the work he and Ford are doing in Winter Park. He tells of a quick trip to Miami on Motorette business; of chasing, by phone, the GAA (General Aviation Authority) inspector around Florida, finding him in St. Pete, to find whether or not approval to build the Airpark had been granted. The GAA Board had met the previous week and had given full approval. Having received full approval, Sandy, acting for the company exercised their option to purchase one hundred acres on Oviedo Road (now Aloma Avenue) two miles East of Winter Park. Sandy and Ford hired an engineer to do the "preliminary work" on what would become Showalter Airpark.
Images on this page, clockwise from left are: An aerial view looking northwest with railroad in the foreground; An aerial view of the runway in the land clearing stage; A Showalter Airpark Ad; A business card belonging to Ford B. Rogers, Jr.; An airplane with the company logo on it; A card with the field traffic rules on it; A Piper Taxicub service card.
The center image: An aerial view of Showalter Airpark with Sandy Showalter's home shown in the lower right hand corner.
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