The Jack Barstow Municipal Airport has a rich history in Midland. It was named for John “Jack” Barstow, a Midland-based pilot who learned about aviation from Orville Wright and taught friend Charles Lindberg some helpful techniques for flying gliders.
Tragically, Mr. Barstow (at right, in early 1930s) died in a plane crash in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1935 at the young age of 29. To pay tribute to Mr. Barstow’s many contributions to aviation in mid-Michigan, the former Midland Airport was renamed Jack Barstow Municipal Airport shortly following his death.