As the crow flies Mexico Farms is less than two miles from South Cumberland. Driving there in the 1920’s and 1930’s entailed heading east on Oldtown Road (Route 51) for about two miles beyond the city limits, turning right at a small grocery store onto a dirt road and continuing for less than a mile, then crossing the three parallel railroad tracks of the main line of the Baltimore & Ohio. The author recalls narrowly avoiding being struck by a fast moving passenger train at this hazardous crossing while traveling with his father. Often, the crossing was blocked by a parked freight train. After crossing the abandoned C&O Canal and proceeding for a half-mile it was necessary to drive across the single main line of the Western Maryland Railroad. The railroad tracks were elevated several feet by fill dirt and a clear view of approaching trains was possible. However, it was necessary to drive steeply up the narrow dirt road for several feet, not knowing if another automobile was approaching from the opposite direction, then cross the track. The journey would continue on for perhaps for a mile, turning right at the dirt entrance road of the Humbert Long farm (now owned by Bill Lee Smith), which then was rutted and narrow. On such a trip in 1929, Harry K. Poling’s 1927 Dodge automobile had the engine oil pan punctured due to dragging caused by the deep ruts on this entrance road.
After driving toward the large stone Long residence the excitement and anticipation of seeing airplanes and watching them fly, was heightened upon viewing the two high metal radio transmission towers and the government buildings on the site. Driving around the Long residence one arrived at a point higher than the airfield, as if you were on a small low plateau. At this point it was necessary to walk down a winding farm road to where the aircraft were parked. One hoped that a pilot wearing helmet and goggles would be nearby, and if one waited perhaps that aviator would decide to fly. To stand to the rear of the aircraft and view the hand propping of the engine, to hear the beautiful sound from the barking short exhaust stacks, and have the wind of the propeller blast on your face tinged with sweet smelling oil was a euphoric tonic for a young boy that would last forever.
Not many people had access to cars in those days. Kids and adults from as far away as Ridgeley, WV would walk the Western Maryland Railroad Knobley Mountain Tunnel towards the site of the present Brewski’s Sports Bar, crossing River Avenue, and then walking along the railroad tracks. The route followed by walking youngsters from South Cumberland was across the high Potomac River bridge, through the rail tunnel that progressed underneath the present Greater Cumberland Regional Airport, across another high Potomac River Bridge, and then to arrive within a mile of the eastern boundary of Mexico Farms.
An aerial view of Mexico Farms in the foreground, with the Cumberland Airport and Cumberland City in the background. This photo was taken in 1987.
The author remembers making this scary journey and recalls that one had to walk quickly across the high river bridges so as not to be caught on the overpass by an approaching train. It was especially frightening when caught in the tunnel by a steam driven locomotive with the big piston drivers and large wheels passing so close. The one incident when this occurred Mrs. Poling knew exactly where her son had been from the smell of smoke on his clothes. Even though disobeying his mother, the lure of the excitement of Mexico Farms and viewing the flying machine activity was worth the punishment.
Another route to Mexico Farms was to walk or ride a bicycle along the much longer tow path of the C&O Canal, arriving within a mile of the landing field. This was a much longer but beautiful routing, but safer when accomplished in day light hours. Floyd Johnson stated that the Army personnel stationed at the Government Field would use this route, often returning late at night. The return to Cumberland via this route was a dangerous choice to make in the hours of darkness.
A 1930 photo of Bevo Wentling’s J-1 Standard, Cap Amick’s Drigg’s Skylark, the Johnson’s Fairchild KR-31 Challenger, Walter Coughenour’s Waco, and Torque Landis’ Pitcairn, taken at Mexico Farms.
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Wings Over Cumberland 