Throughout the late 1920’s, civilian use of the Army Air Service landing field was increasing with barnstormers and stunt pilots visiting the field, as well as pilots who cashed in on the public’s desire to experience aerial flight by airplane rides. The Cumberland Times reported in June, 1929, that pilots from Washington performed stunt flying and parachute jumps. The Army Air Corps declared in 1929 that civilian aircraft could use the airfield, however, problems arose concerning gasoline supplies and other distractions that created a need for a separate civilian air field. This landing field was established in 1928 on the adjacent farm fields of Jerome Johnson. A 2,500 foot turf landing strip running east and west was the basis of the airfield. For a while, the runways of both fields were continuous, establishing a very long runway east and west.
Many individuals state that Mexico Farms Airport is the second oldest operating airport in Maryland, with College Park Airport being the oldest. However, the original landing field was located on the Long Farm (now the Smith Farm) which was the Government Field. When it closed the Jerome Johnson Farm Airport (now the Donald Johnson Farm) with the Federally Funded upgrade of 1934-35, became the Cumberland Airport. Both landing fields were located adjacent to each other which cloud the picture as to whether the present Mexico Farms Airport is the second oldest airport in Maryland.
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Wings Over Cumberland 