Airport History
A Legacy of Aviation, Industry, and Community Growth
The history of Laurel Airport dates back to 1926 when development began on a civilian airfield to serve the growing transportation needs of the region. The airport was officially dedicated on July 3, 1932, marking the beginning of a long and significant role in the economic development of Laurel and Jones County.
During the Great Depression, additional improvements were completed in 1935 through the Works Progress Administration (WPA), one of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s major economic stimulus programs. These investments helped expand the airport’s capabilities while providing employment opportunities for local residents.
As global tensions escalated prior to World War II, the facility was leased by the U.S. Army Air Corps in June 1940. Extensive military construction followed, including concrete runways, taxiways, aircraft ramps, hangars, and a control tower. In December 1942, the airport officially opened as Laurel Army Airfield and served as an important military installation throughout the war years.
Following World War II, the facility transitioned from an active military base to a training and storage center. In 1946, the airfield was renamed Hesler-Noble Field, honoring two local aviation pioneers whose contributions helped shape aviation in the region. Military operations continued at the site until 1949, when the property was conveyed to the City of Laurel as a surplus airport facility.
Commercial aviation arrived in Laurel in 1951 when Southern Airways began providing passenger service using DC-3 aircraft. The airport continued to play a vital role in regional transportation until commercial air travel gradually shifted to the Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport following its establishment in the 1970s.
The airport’s impact extended far beyond aviation. Surplus non-aeronautical property following World War II laid the foundation for what would become the Laurel Airport Industrial Park. Over the decades, the industrial park has grown into one of the region’s most significant economic assets, attracting major employers and creating thousands of jobs.
In 1957, the City of Laurel established the Laurel Airport Committee to oversee airport operations. Later, in 1997, state legislation created the Laurel Airport Authority and Board of Directors, establishing the airport as an autonomous, self-sustaining entity while maintaining its strong partnership with the City of Laurel.
Today, the Laurel Airport and Industrial Park encompasses approximately 1,350 acres and serves as a major center for aviation, commerce, and economic development. The industrial park includes more than 800 acres with over 80 tenants and leaseholders, including major employers such as Howard Industries, Wayne-Sanderson Farms, and The Essmueller Company. Together, businesses within the industrial park employ approximately 5,500 people.
The airport itself occupies more than 400 acres and supports a thriving aviation community with numerous aviation-related businesses, tenants, and privately owned hangars. Today, Hesler-Noble Field continues to serve pilots, businesses, and visitors while carrying forward a legacy that spans nearly a century of aviation history and economic growth.
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