Rich Field

Rich Field is a defunct military airfield near Waco, Texas, used for flying training during World War I. It was named in honor of 2nd Lt. C. Perry Rich of the Philippine Scouts. He had been instructed to fly by Lt. Frank P. Lahm in May 1913, then crashed his Wright Model C into Manila Bay on November 14, 1913, the tenth U.S. pilot to die in a flying accident.

The facility was built southwest of Waco near what is now the intersection of Bosque Blvd and 41st street. Although the field was abandoned as a military airfield shortly after the World War I era, aviation activity continued there as a civil airport. Flying lessons were available. During the 1920s and 1930s traveling airshows occasionally visited Rich Field. Ford Trimotor offered the public a 10 minute flight to downtown Waco and back for one dollar. On one visit the Trimotor was put into a spin (without passengers) for show. For many years Braniff International Airways provided passenger service to Waco at Rich Field. Later the airport had "seen its time" and was closed.

The site was subsequently used for two major civic facilities and numerous businesses. The Heart O' Texas Fairgrounds and Coliseum occupy part of the former airfield. A high school was constructed on part of the site in the late 1950s. The high school was named Richfield High School in honor of the former airfield. Later that high school was consolidated into Waco High School.