Riverside has a rich aviation history. From DeWitt and Allis Hutchings and their Flyers’ Wall to the Air Force at March Base, countless stories can be recounted. Several small airfields emerged in Riverside and subsequently disappeared over time. But there is one that is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year – Flabob Airport.
In 1925, the City of Riverside created the Riverside Commission on Aeronautics and leased a field from Pliny Evans. The field was cleared of brush by the Riverside Junior Lions and made ready for planes. Roman Warren was hired to manage the field.
Years later, John Hammond recounted how he was a passenger in an old “Jenny,” that Warren flew from a nearby airfield off Jurupa Avenue, marking the first plane to land at the new Riverside Airport. The field was essentially a cow pasture with a usable runway of only 1,200 feet. There was no hangar, and Warren erected a barbed-wire fence around the airplane to prevent the cows from eating the fabric of the plane at night. The airfield was situated south of Mission Blvd. and east of the Santa Ana River in the shadow of Mount Rubidoux. The name RIVERSIDE was lettered in white gravel at one end of the runway. The airport was conveniently located near downtown Riverside, just a short distance across the Santa Ana River.
To garner more attention for the fledgling airport and its flights, Roman Warren staged a thrilling demonstration of airplane flying skills. On June 13, 1926, Warren flew his plane from the Riverside Airport under the center span of the West Riverside Bridge. An estimated 5000 people watched this feat.
Warren improved the airport, building hangars and lengthening the runways. He continued to manage the facilities. However, in April 1936, Oscar Crowell purchased the property and subsequently canceled the airport lease. The city of Riverside battled this decision for two years at various levels in the court system. While these battles were being fought in the courts, heavy rains in February and March 1938 caused the Santa Ana River to overflow, flooding much of the area near Riverside, including the Riverside Airport.
A few of the pilots moved their planes a few hundred yards west to higher ground, where they established a small field. Over the following number of years, it was also used as a Civil Air Patrol base during the war.
As World War II was coming to a close, Flavio Madariaga and Bob Bogen decided to relocate their small aeronautical tool shop from Los Angeles to a nearby community. Drawing a 50-mile circle from Los Angeles City Hall, they searched for a location. They discovered the small undeveloped dirt airstrip in Rubidoux, just west of Riverside. They purchased the property and began developing and reestablishing an airport. They called it Riverside Airport, the same name used by the previous one, which Roman Warren managed.
In his biography of Warren, Bob Fitch recounts the story of how, after an ambulance was dispatched to the wrong airport following a ground accident, the partners decided to rename their airfield better to distinguish it from the Riverside airport on Arlington Avenue. Combining the first three letters of their first names, they settled on Fla-Bob. This became Flabob, still the present name of the small airport.
Flavio built up the airport using surplus items and buildings scrounged from other locations. A surplus hangar came from March Air Force Base. Office buildings were acquired from Camp Haan. The government was only selling the surplus from Haan to farmers and clergy. So, Flavio bought a donkey, a cart, and some chickens and persuaded the officials that he was a farmer.
Many of the airplanes that came to Flabob were antiques, experimental, and built by pilots. Flavio bragged that their airport had the largest squadron of World War I planes. Flabob is also the home of the first chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Numerous small airplanes called Flabob home. Small manufacturers found facilities at the airport. Airshows and fly-ins were held here.
From left to right: Postcard of planes parked at Flabob in 1972, Postcard showing an aerial view of 1972 Fly-in at Flabob. (Author’s Collection)
Flavio Madariaga passed away in 1984, and his son, Don, assumed management of the airport. It became increasingly difficult for a family to operate a small private airport. In 2000, Tom Wathen founded the Thomas Wathen Foundation and purchased the 82-acre property, saving it from real estate developers. That year marked 75 years of aviation history at Flabob and its predecessor, Riverside Airport.
Today, Flabob Airport is managed by the Tom Wathen Center.
The Tom Wathen Center uses the fascination of flight to inspire learning and foster successful careers and fulfilling lives. We are dedicated to including all people—especially youth, veterans, and the disadvantaged. At our historic Flabob Airport, we preserve aviation history and nurture the innovators of tomorrow (flabobairport.org).
In addition to the charming old-time hangers and planes, the location now houses newly renovated buildings for education, teaching young people skills that can be used in the aviation industry. There are other aeronautical businesses occupying buildings at the site.
And there still is the Flabob Airport Café. A long-time fixture at the airport, the café is a favorite for many Riversiders, featuring good meals with vintage airplane parts and photos covering the walls.
Planes grace the flight line, most vintage, and many built there at the airport. Most days, one can see mechanics working on their prized treasures, preparing them for another flight. Scattered through the grounds are bronze statues of famous aviators. Visit and see how many you know. View the planes on display. Talk to the pilots. They are a friendly squadron of flyers.
Visit flabobairport.org to learn more about the rich history of the airport and its current activities, including the 100th anniversary celebration taking place from April 25 to 27.
For more information on the fascinating life of Roman Warren and the early days of Riverside Airport, read Roman Warren: Cowboy Aviator by Robert J. Fitch.
