Curtiss-Wright Hangars 1 and 2
Why it's listed
Built in 1928 at the Curtiss-Steinberg Airport in Cahokia, Illinois, these two brick hangars are the only survivors of four originally constructed. Each is a two-story, barrel-roofed box with a stepped Art Deco parapet, wooden wing-like projections, a Curtiss-Wright emblem and sliding steel hangar doors large enough for a DC-3. The east side has a wood-framed second floor added in the 1940s to house trainees. During World War II, flight instructor Oliver Parks operated his school here, which was the first federally approved school of aeronautics. His schools trained thousands of military and transport pilots, and the hangars also served for aircraft manufacturing and storage. The airport later passed through several owners and names before becoming St. Louis Downtown Airport. The hangars retain most of their original exterior and interior features, though some deterioration is noted. Hangar 2 now holds an air and space museum. Their listing recognizes their role in military aviation training and industry between 1928 and 1956.
Significance in brief: The hangars are significant under Criterion A for their ties to the military and industry. In the early 1940s, Oliver Parks ran his flight school from them, training pilots for World War II, and the hangars were also used for Curtiss-Wright aircraft manufacturing and storage.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 06001024, listed June 14, 2007. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2200 Vector Dr., 2300 Vector Dr., Cahokia |
|---|---|
| County | St. Clair County |
| Listed | June 14, 2007 |
| Reference number | 06001024 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1928 - 1956 |
| Architect / builder | Franzheim, Kenneth, architect |
| Architectural style | Other: Modern Movement: Art Deco |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military, Industry |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Hangars are intact but show some deterioration and need repair; Hangar 2 houses the Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 38.57646, -90.16422 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 06001024.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q130217021
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.