by Linda Burdette, Feature Article Editor

In the very early days of aviation, flying was viewed by the majority of the population as an oddity – something
undertaken by the most adventurous or fool-hardy of folk. It is no surprise that people decided that airplanes
and aviators were most appropriately viewed at State fairs and fairgrounds. Such was the case with Richmond.
The first flights in the Richmond area occurred at the grounds of the State Fair of Virginia, what is now North
Boulevard and Hermitage Road/Sherwood Avenue. The State Fairgrounds encompassed a large area and
had one large public exhibition hall, originally called the Administration Building and later the Richmond Arena.
For aviation related events, the fairgrounds, racetrack, and grounds surrounding the arena were used as runways
and the building was used for a hangar and maintenance. See map on the next page.

To read the entire article, click the link below:

Richmond Fairgrounds.pdf