By Danny Crownover [The Vagabond]
About 180 years ago, parts of three farms were surveyed and laid off into 260 lots as a site for the new town of Gadsden. Ever since then, there has been speculation as to which way it would grow.
The natural tendency for all large cities in the world is to grow towards the west, and that is what Gadsden did for many years, despite the activity of two factions that carried their fight into politics, business and social relations.
One faction wanted to anchor the center of the business section on or near the original site on the riverfront, and the other faction pulled for development westward.
Some of the factionalism still existed through the 1920s, but when Louis L. Herzberg influenced his friend John Rogers, chairman of the Alabama Highway Department, and Governor Bill Brandon to build the Broad Street bridge across Coosa River, he laid the foundation for the tremendous industrial and building development in East Gadsden and the consequent trend of growth in that direction.
Homes and businesses were being built on every road leading out of town; in some sections, the city appeared to be crowding the rural areas for miles out. The trend of expansion did not stay confined to one section or in one direction.
In 1947, the Dixie Flying Club — which was made up of 125 members with 37 licensed as pilots — had nearly realized its dream of creating a landing field near the Goodyear plant, for the project was about two-thirds completed.
The strip that ran from east to west was 1,800 feet long and 300 feet wide, and was in the process of being completed for use. The strip running north and south was also about two-thirds completed, though only 1,600 feet long and 300 feet wide. Work on the latter was temporarily halted due to a lack of funds.
Plans and specifications for a hangar 30 feet wide and 200 feet long were being made. It would house the control room, work shop and six planes.
J. U. Mears, traffic manager for Goodyear, was the chief promoter and was being assisted by an enthusiastic membership. It was said that future Goodyear employees would have a fine flying field. It was one of their own enterprises.
