Old Port Columbus Airport Control Tower
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Why it's listed
Located in the southeastern corner of Port Columbus airport, this brick terminal building was completed in 1929 and dedicated on July 8 of that year. The original block is rectangular, with a plain ten-bay facade, a stone entrance surround and restrained brickwork along the cornice. Its most distinctive feature is an octagonal, three-story tower with a glass-enclosed top level under a hipped roof. Later wings and additions, all predating 1958, partly obscure the tower base, but the original buff brick structure remains visible. The terminal was the first transfer point in a westbound transcontinental service in which passengers rode trains from New York to Columbus, flew Ford Tri-Motors to Oklahoma, and continued by rail and air to Los Angeles. Charles Lindbergh attended the dedication. The service lasted about two years before all-air schedules became possible. A newer terminal replaced the building in 1958, and it later housed offices and small aircraft operations.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that the 1929 terminal was among the earliest airport facilities in the country and was the first transfer point in the westbound transcontinental passenger service combining train and air travel. It is presented as a reminder of Columbus' contribution to American air transportation. Additional documentation argued that the tower retains enough integrity despite later additions.
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 79001839, listed July 26, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 420 E. 5th Ave, Columbus |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | July 26, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79001839 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1929 |
| Architect / builder | Allied Architects Association |
| Areas of significance | Transportation |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the City of Columbus; in 1978 it was occupied and used for offices and small aircraft operations, with traffic control moved out in 1958 when a new terminal replaced it. Condition checked as fair. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 39.98704, -82.87198 (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 79001839.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q96397268
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.