Historical Grand Canyon Airfield - Red Butte AZ
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Description: The disused Red Butte Airfield is located within the Kaibab National Forest near Red Butte, just a few miles to the south of the Grand Canyon. This site holds historical significance as it was once the base of operations for Scenic Airways Inc., which pioneered the first commercial air tours of the Grand Canyon. Legends like Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart were reputed to have utilized these facilities. The compound sits on the periphery of a vast meadow occasionally grazed by cattle, elk, and horses. The former dirt runway has since been claimed by a considerable population of gophers, who have burrowed numerous holes that pose a potential risk to unsuspecting pedestrians' ankles. The primary attraction at this location is the hangar, constructed in 1927 by entrepreneur Parker Van Zandt. It remained in sporadic use from the late 1920s until the early 1960s when the establishment of a new airport in Tusayan led to its abandonment. The hangar boasts large sliding doors and several rooms on either side. The premises encompass several other structures, all in varying states of deterioration. The presence of peeling paint, likely containing lead, shattered glass, rusted metal, and decaying wooden floors makes entering any of these buildings hazardous. Nonetheless, even from the outside, these structures exude a hauntingly captivating allure.