Abbott L. Johnson papers
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit
May 17, 2012
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Ball State University Archives and Special Collections
Alexander M. Bracken Library
2000 W. University Avenue
Muncie, Indiana, 47306
765-285-5078
libarchives@bsu.edu
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Table of Contents
Summary Information ................................................................................................................................. 3
Biographical Note.......................................................................................................................................... 4
Scope and Contents....................................................................................................................................... 4
Arrangement...................................................................................................................................................4
Administrative Information .........................................................................................................................5
Controlled Access Headings..........................................................................................................................6
Collection Inventory...................................................................................................................................... 7
Series 1: Johnson, Abbott L. aviation files, 1928-1976..........................................................................7
Series 2: Johnson, Abbott L. Indiana Manufacturers' Association files, 1941-1968............................ 32
Series 3: Johnson, Abbott L. National Association of Manufacturers files, 1958-1959....................... 34
Series 4: Johnson, Abbott L. aerial photographs, 1957........................................................................ 35
Series 5: Johnson, Abbott L. oral history interview recording and transcript, 1982 Oct...................... 35
Series 6: Public Airport System of Indiana map, circa 1928-1976...................................................... 35
Series 7: Muncie, Indiana plat map, circa 1928-1976.......................................................................... 35
Series 8: Johnson Field and other Indiana airport maps, blueprints, and line drawings, circa
1928-1976...............................................................................................................................................35
- Page 2 -
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Summary Information
Repository
Ball State University Archives and Special Collections
Creator - Donor
Johnson, Abbot
Title
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Date
1928-1982
Extent
5.0 Cubic feet 7 boxes, 1 folder, 2 oversize folders
Language
English
Preferred Citation
Abbott L. Johnson papers, Archives and Special Collections, Ball State University Libraries
- Page 3 -
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Biographical Note
Abbott Livingstone Johnson, manufacturer and Muncie Airport developer, was born in Muncie, Indiana
on June 15, 1899 to John Edgar Johnson, Sr. and Winifred Smith Johnson. Abbott Johnson attended
McKinley School and Central High School in Muncie. During the summers of his adolescence, Johnson
also attended Culver Naval School where he received the title of first sergeant in the Navy. After
graduating from high school Johnson studied engineering administration at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology for four years. In 1925 Johnson left MIT and married; later that year he completed his degree
in engineering administration at Harvard. Johnson moved back to Muncie in 1926, and his daughter,
Joanne, was born in 1928.
Upon returning to Muncie, Johnson began working as an assistant general manager at Glascock Brothers
until the business closed. From there, he went on to work at Warner Gear, starting out in the engineering
department and later moving to the service department. When Warner Gear joined with Borg and Beck to
form Borg Warner in 1928, Johnson became one of the directors of the company. After the death of the
man in charge of the Warner Electric Company (Dick Stone), the company changed its name to Warner
Machine Products and Johnson managed the business from 1948 to 1950. Johnson also ran operations at a
business outside of Muncie, the Asbestos Manufacturing Company.
In the late 1920's, when an aviation committee formed in Muncie, Johnson was appointed chairman.
Johnson had an avid interest in aviation and was heavily involved in the development of the Muncie
Airport, which was named Johnson Field in his honor. Johnson went on to serve as president of Muncie
Airport, Inc., the Tri-City Airport Board, and the Delaware County Board of Aviation Commissioners.
Scope and Contents
This collection includes manuscripts, photographs, maps, blueprints, line drawings, and an oral history
interview recording and transcript from Abbot L. Johnson in Muncie, Indiana ranging from 1941 to 1982
regarding Johnson's work in the field of aviation in Muncie and Delaware County, and his connections
with the Indiana Manufacturers' Association and the National Association of Manufactuerers.
Arrangement
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Abbott L. Johnson papers
This collection is arranged in the following series and subseries:
Series 1: Johnson, Abbott L. aviation files, 1928-1976
...Subseries 1.1: Correspondence files, 1957-1976
...Subseries 1.2: Subject files, 1957-1973
...Subseries 1.3: Publications, 1928-1970
...Subseries 1.4: Newspaper clippings, circa 1958-1973
Series 2: Johnson, Abbott L. Indiana Manufacturers' Association files, 1941-1968
Series 3: Johnson, Abbott L. National Association of Manufacturers files, 1958-1959
Series 4: Johnson, Abbott L. aerial photographs, 1957
Series 5: Johnson, Abbott L. oral history interview recording and transcript, 1982 Oct.
Series 6: Public Airport System of Indiana map, circa 1928-1976
Series 7: Muncie, Indiana plat map, circa 1928-1976
Series 8: Johnson Field and other Indiana airport maps, blueprints, and line drawings, circa 1928-1976
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Ball State University Archives and Special Collections
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Archives and Special Collections, Ball State
University Libraries, Muncie, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to
Archives and Special Collections.
Custodial History
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Abbott L. Johnson papers
This collection was received by Archives and Special Collections as gift from Abbott L. Johnson on
1974/12/18. The oral history interview recordings were received by Archives and Special Collections as a
donation by Abbott L. Johnson, interviewee, and Tom Sargent, interviewer, on 1982/10/15
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
EAD finding aid created 2012/03/15 by Lisa Barney. EAD finding aid revised 2012/05/17 by Bethany
Fiechter.
Controlled Access Headings
Genre(s)
• Aerial photographs
• Maps
Geographic Name(s)
•
•
•
•
•
•
Delaware County (Ind.)
Delaware County (Ind.)--History--20th century--Sources
Delaware County (Ind.)--History--21st century--Sources
Muncie (Ind.)
Muncie (Ind.)--History--20th century--Sources
Muncie (Ind.)--History--21st century--Sources
Subject(s)
• Airlines
• Oral history
• Stoeckel Archives of Local History
- Page 6 -
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Series 1: Johnson, Abbott L. aviation files, 1928-1976
Collection Inventory
Series 1: Johnson, Abbott L. aviation files, 1928-1976
Subseries 1.1: Correspondence files, 1957-1976
Correspondence, 1957-1960
Text
Box
1
Folder
1
Box
1
Folder
2
Box
1
Folder
3
Correspondence, 1961
Text
Correspondence, 1962
Text
Correspondence, 1963
- Page 7 -
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.1: Correspondence files, 1957-1976
Text
Box
1
Folder
4
Box
1
Folder
5
Box
1
Folder
6
Box
1
Folder
7
Box
1
Folder
8
Correspondence, 1964
Text
Correspondence, 1965
Text
Correspondence, 1966
Text
Correspondence, folder 1 of 2, 1967
Text
- Page 8 -
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.1: Correspondence files, 1957-1976
Correspondence, folder 2 of 2, 1967
Text
Box
1
Folder
9
Box
1
Folder
10
Box
1
Folder
11
Box
1
Folder
12
Correspondence, 1968-1969
Text
Correspondence, 1970
Text
Correspondence, 1971
Text
Correspondence, 1972
- Page 9 -
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.2: Subject files, 1957-1973
Text
Box
1
Folder
13
Box
1
Folder
14
Box
1
Folder
15
Correspondence, 1973-1974
Text
Correspondence, 1975-1976
Text
Subseries 1.2: Subject files, 1957-1973
Airlines press releases, news articles, and correspondence, 1967-1969
Text
Box
1
Folder
16
Box
Folder
Airport correspondence and reports, 1956-1975
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Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.2: Subject files, 1957-1973
1
Text
17
Allegheny Airlines brochures, articles, and correspondence, 1949-1973
Text
Box
1
Folder
18
Box
1
Folder
19
Board of Aviation Commissioners memoranda, 1966
Text
CAA Project No. 9-12-030-701, Construction of Airport Lighting System contract documents and
specifications, and invoices, 1957-1958
Box
1
Text
Folder
20
CAA Project No. 9-12-030-701, Flexible Type Runway and Taxiway Construction, and New Terminal
Building contract documents and specifications, 1967
Box
1
Text
- Page 11 -
Folder
21
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.2: Subject files, 1957-1973
CAB (Civil Aeronautics Board) Docket No. 4251, Great Lakes Local Service Investigation files, folder 1
of 5, 1957
Box
1
Text
Folder
22
CAB Docket No. 4251, Great Lakes Local Service Investigation files, folder 2 of 5, 1957
Box
1
Text
Folder
23
CAB Docket No. 4251, Great Lakes Local Service Investigation files, folder 3 of 5, 1957
Box
1
Text
Folder
24
CAB Docket No. 4251, Great Lakes Local Service Investigation files, folder 4 of 5, 1957-1958
Box
2
Text
Folder
1
CAB Docket No. 4251, Great Lakes Local Service Investigation files, folder 5 of 5, 1957-1961
- Page 12 -
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.2: Subject files, 1957-1973
Box
2
Text
Folder
2
CAB Docket No. 9891, Cincinnati-Detroit Suspension Investigation documents, 1960
Box
2
Text
Folder
3
CAB Docket No. 10039, Lake Central Airlines, Inc., application and renewal documents, 1960-1961
Box
2
Text
Folder
4
CAB Docket No. 12793, Fort Wayne Board of Aviation Commissioners and the Chamber of Commerce
of Fort Wayne Indiana, and Board of Aviation Commissioners of Delaware County and the Muncie
Chamber of Commerce, Inc., Joint Petition documents, 1961-1962
Box
2
Text
Folder
5
CAB Docket No. 13391, Fort Wayne-Muncie Area Investigation documents, folder 1 of 7, 1961
Box
- Page 13 -
Folder
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.2: Subject files, 1957-1973
2
Text
6
CAB Docket No. 13391, Fort Wayne-Muncie Area Investigation documents, folder 2 of 7, 1962
Box
2
Text
Folder
7
CAB Docket No. 13391, Fort Wayne-Muncie Area Investigation exhibits, folder 3 of 7, 1962
Box
2
Text
Folder
8
CAB Docket No. 13391, Fort Wayne-Muncie Area Investigation rebuttal exhibits, folder 4 of 7,
1962-1963
Box
2
Text
Folder
9
CAB Docket No. 13391, Fort Wayne-Muncie Area Investigation documents, folder 5 of 7, 1962
Box
2
Text
- Page 14 -
Folder
10
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.2: Subject files, 1957-1973
CAB Docket No. 13391, Fort Wayne-Muncie Area Investigation documents, folder 6 of 7, 1962
Box
2
Text
Folder
11
CAB Docket No. 13391, Fort Wayne-Muncie Area Investigation documents, folder 7 of 7, 1963
Box
2
Text
Folder
12
CAB Docket No. 13549, Lake Central Airlines, Inc., application, 1962
Box
2
Text
Folder
13
CAB Docket No. 14868, "Use It or Lose It" and Route Realignment Investigation documents,
1964-1965
Box
2
Text
- Page 15 -
Folder
14
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.2: Subject files, 1957-1973
CAB Docket No. 18183, Lake Central Airline, Inc., Board of Aviation Commissioners of Delaware
County, Indiana, Muncie Chamber of Commerce, City of Dayton, OH Department of Aviation, and
Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Joint Application for Exemption documents, 1967
Box
2
Text
Folder
15
CAB Docket No. 22260, Allegheny Airlines, Inc., Application for Temporary Suspension of Service
documents, 1970
Text
Box
2
Folder
16
Box
3
Folder
1
Box
3
Folder
2
Commuter Airlines news articles, 1967-1968
Text
Dayton Service correspondence, 1967
Text
- Page 16 -
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.2: Subject files, 1957-1973
Delaware County Aviation Commission correspondence and news article, 1966
Box
3
Text
Folder
3
Engineers correspondence, proposals, and forms of agreement, 1968
Box
3
Text
Folder
4
FAA-ADAP Project No. 8-18-0059-02, Road Relocation Project correspondence, contracts, drawing,
and project schedules, 1973-1975
Box
3
Mixed materials
Folder
5
FAA Project No. 9-12-030-01, Improvements to Johnson Field correspondence and contract, 1961-1962
Box
3
Text
Folder
6
FAA Project No. 9-12-030-02, Traffic Control Tower Project correspondence, folder 1 of 2, 1961-1962
- Page 17 -
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.2: Subject files, 1957-1973
Box
3
Text
Folder
7
FAA Project No. 9-12-030-02, Traffic Control Tower Project correspondence and contract, folder 2 of 2,
1962-1964
Box
3
Text
Folder
8
FAA Projects No. 9-12-030-03 and 9-12-030-04, Installation of Warning Lights on Towers, and Paving
of Overlays on Runway, Taxiways, and Apron correspondence and drawing, 1965-1968
Box
3
Mixed materials
Folder
9
FAA Project No. 9-12-030-05, Funway Extension correspondence, cost estimates, drawings, and funding
request, 1966-1969
Box
3
Mixed materials
Folder
10
FAA Project No. 9-12-030-06, New Taxiway Construction correspondence, contracts, drawings, and
budget documents, 1967-1969
- Page 18 -
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.2: Subject files, 1957-1973
Box
3
Mixed materials
Folder
11
FAA Project No. 9-12-030-07, Taxiway Construction and Plane Parking Apron Expansion
correspondence, drawings, and funding requests, 1967-1969
Mixed materials
Box
3
Folder
12
Box
3
Folder
13
Box
3
Folder
14
Box
3
Folder
15
FAA publications, 1966-1967
Text
FAA publications and correspondence, 1968
Text
FAA correspondence, 1969
Text
- Page 19 -
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.2: Subject files, 1957-1973
FAA correspondence, 1970
Text
Box
3
Folder
16
Box
3
Folder
17
Box
3
Folder
18
Box
3
Folder
19
FAA correspondence, 1971
Text
FAA correspondence, 1972
Text
FAA correspondence, 1973
Text
FAA correspondence, 1974
- Page 20 -
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.2: Subject files, 1957-1973
Box
3
Text
Folder
20
General Aviation correspondence, publications, and news clippings, circa 1966
Text
Box
3
Folder
21
Box
3
Folder
22
Box
3
Folder
23
Indiana Aeronautics Commission correspondence, 1965-1967
Text
Johnson Field Airport Pavement Investigation report, 1964
Text
Johnson Field Board of Aviation Commissioners meeting minutes, correspondence, and reports,
1956-1965
Box
3
Text
- Page 21 -
Folder
24
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.2: Subject files, 1957-1973
Johnson Field, A.W. Compton correspondence, 1957-1960
Box
3
Text
Folder
25
Johnson Field Construction and Proposed Service correspondence, reports, proposals, and drawings,
1953-1960
Mixed materials
Box
3
Folder
26
Box
3
Folder
27
Johnson Field correspondence, 1957-1968
Text
Johnson Field Improvements, Changes, and Recommendations correspondence and new article,
1958-1960
Box
3
Text
Folder
28
Johnson Field, Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) correspondence and drawing, 1959-1961
- Page 22 -
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.2: Subject files, 1957-1973
Mixed materials
Box
3
Folder
29
Box
3
Folder
30
Box
4
Folder
1
Box
4
Folder
2
Johnson Field, Sidney McClellan correspondence, 1957-1964
Text
Johnson Field Maintenance correspondence, 1966-1967
Text
Johnson Field Monthly Airport Traffic records, 1964-1967
Text
Johnson Field Navigational Aids, Towers, and Equipment Improvements correspondence, 1960-1966
Box
4
Text
- Page 23 -
Folder
3
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.2: Subject files, 1957-1973
Johnson Field, press releases, publications, reports, and correspondence, circa 1956-1970
Text
Box
4
Folder
4
Box
4
Folder
5
Box
4
Folder
6
Johnson Field publications and printed matter, 1957-1961
Text
Johnson Field Schedules and Services correspondence, 1958-1960
Text
Johnson Field Tower - I.L.S. Zoning correspondence and guidelines, 1965-1968
Box
4
Text
Johnson Field news articles and correspondence, circa 1965-1970
- Page 24 -
Folder
7
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.3: Publications, 1928-1970
Text
Box
4
Folder
8
Box
4
Folder
9
Lake Central Airlines publications and annual reports, 1958-1967
Text
Lake Central Airlines runway diagram, news articles, and publications, 1966-1967
Box
4
Mixed materials
Folder
10
Muncie Airport, Inc., correspondence, news articles, and reports, 1968-1973
Box
4
Text
Folder
11
Subseries 1.3: Publications, 1928-1970
Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce of America, Inc. Aircraft Year Book, 1928. New York: Aeronautic
Chamber of Commerce of American, Inc., 1928.
Box
- Page 25 -
Folder
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.3: Publications, 1928-1970
4
Text
12
Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce of America, Inc. Aircraft Year Book, 1929. New York: Aeronautic
Chamber of Commerce of American, Inc., 1929.
Box
4
Text
Folder
13
Brochure: Air Transport Association of America. Better Than a Magic Carpet. Washington, D.C.: Air
Transport Association of America.
Text
Box
4
Folder
14
Box
4
Folder
15
Air Wisconsin. Flightline (January 1970).
Text
Blomquist, Albert E. "Airport Planning - Past, Present, and Future." Paper from the Society of
Automotive Engineers' National Aeronautic Meeting, New York, NY, April 25-28, 1966. New York:
Society of Automotive Engineers, 1966.
Box
- Page 26 -
Folder
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.3: Publications, 1928-1970
Text
4
16
Box
4
Folder
17
Commuter Airlines timetable, undated
Text
Commuter Airlines "Two Firsts in Aviation," advertising brochure, undated
Box
4
Text
Folder
18
Dewberry, Nealson and Davis. Qualifications, Study Approach, Key Personnel. Fairfax: Dewberry,
Nealson and Davis, circa 1971.
Box
4
Text
Folder
19
Government Form 251, U.S. Government Architect-Engineer report prepared by Dewberry, Nealon and
Davis, Aviation Consultants, 1971
Box
4
Text
- Page 27 -
Folder
20
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.3: Publications, 1928-1970
Systems Planning Division, Airports Service, Federal Aviation Administration. The Airport - Its
Influence on the Community Economy. Federal Aviation Administration, 1967.
Box
4
Text
Folder
21
Federal Aviation Administration, "America's Airport Beautification Awards Program," 1967
Box
4
Text
Folder
22
Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Delaware County Airport, 1971
Box
4
Text
Folder
23
Airports Divison Programs Branch, Great Lakes Region, Federal Aviation Agency. Sites for Public
Airports: How and Why Your Local Government Acquires Land for Public Airports. Department of
Transportation/Federal Aviation Administration, 1973.
Box
4
Text
- Page 28 -
Folder
24
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.3: Publications, 1928-1970
Airports Service, Federal Aviation Administration. Sites for Public Airports: How and Why Your
Local Government Acquires Land for Public Airports. Department of Transportation/Federal Aviation
Administration, 1974.
Box
4
Text
Folder
25
Federal Aviation Agency. "Economy Approach Lighting Aids," Advisory Circular, no. 150/5340-14A
(March 7, 1967).
Box
4
Text
Folder
26
Airport Planning, Airports Service, Federal Aviation Agency. National Airport Plan Requirements for
Fiscal Years 1963-1967. Washington, D.C.: Federal Aviation Agency, 1963.
Box
4
Text
Folder
27
Division of Planning, Department of Commerce, State of Indiana. Indiana Airport System Plan.
Indianapolis: State of Indiana, 1971.
Box
- Page 29 -
Folder
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.3: Publications, 1928-1970
4
Text
28
Brochure: Lake Central Airlines. An Introduction to Lake Central Airlines. Indianapolis: Lake Central
Airlines, circa 1961.
Box
4
Text
Folder
29
Brochure: Lake Central Airlines. 1961 First Quarter Report to Stockholders. Indianapolis: Lake Central
Airlines, 1961.
Box
4
Text
Folder
30
Brochure: Leigh Fisher Associates, Inc. Your Airport Can Be Profitable. San Francisco: Leigh Fisher
Associates, Inc.
Box
4
Text
Folder
31
Mueller, Arthur E. A. "Air Service for Main Street, U.S.A.." Newcomen Address delivered at the
National Newcomen Dinner of the Newcomen Society in North America, New York, NY, September 21,
1961.
- Page 30 -
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.3: Publications, 1928-1970
Text
Box
4
Folder
32
Box
4
Folder
33
Muncie Aviation Corporation promotional folder, undated
Text
Lake Central Airlines publications and correspondence, and Local Airline Industry report, 1960-1961
Box
4
Text
Folder
34
Brochure: Ralph H. Burke, Inc. Ralph H. Burke, Inc.: Engineers, Architects, Planners. Ralph H. Burke,
Inc.
Box
4
Text
Folder
35
Cdr. Smith, Lloyd H. "Flight Operations on a Circular Runway." Paper from the Society of Automotive
Engineers' National Aeronautic Meeting, New York, NY, April 25-28, 1966. New York: Society of
Automotive Engineers, 1966.
Box
- Page 31 -
Folder
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Subseries 1.4: Newspaper clippings, circa 1958-1973
Text
4
36
Box
4
Folder
37
Subseries 1.4: Newspaper clippings, circa 1958-1973
Aviation-related newspaper clippings, circa 1958-1973
Text
Series 2: Johnson, Abbott L. Indiana Manufacturers' Association files, 1941-1968
IMA Board of Directors correspondence, meeting minutes, agendas, and reports, 1951-1958
Box
5
Text
Folder
1
IMA Board of Directors correspondence, meeting minutes, agendas, and reports, 1958-1963
Box
5
Text
IMA By-Laws, 1949, 1954, 1968
- Page 32 -
Folder
2
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Series 2: Johnson, Abbott L. Indiana Manufacturers' Association files, 194...
Text
Box
5
Folder
3
Box
5
Folder
4
IMA Correspondence, 1960-1965
Text
IMA Defense Production Committee correspondence, members list, and reference materials, 1951-1952
Box
5
Text
Folder
5
IMA Industrial Conference Meeting correspondence and program, 1954 Aug.-Oct.
Box
5
Text
Folder
6
IMA Legislative Committee correspondence and publications, 1961-1962
Box
5
Text
- Page 33 -
Folder
7
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Series 3: Johnson, Abbott L. National Association of Manufacturers files, ...
IMA Meetings correspondence, announcements, and minutes, 1959-1962
Text
Box
5
Folder
8
Box
5
Folder
9
IMA publications, circa 1951-1968
Text
IMA publications received from other associations, circa 1950-1952
Text
Box
5
Folder
10
Box
5
Folder
11
IMA Tax correspondence, manuals, and guides, circa 1941-1963
Text
Series 3: Johnson, Abbott L. National Association of Manufacturers files, 1958-1959
- Page 34 -
Abbott L. Johnson papers
Series 4: Johnson, Abbott L. aerial photographs, 1957
NAM Industrial Problems Committee meeting minutes, reports, and statements, 1958-1959
Box
5
Text
Folder
12
PSC.013 Series 4: Johnson, Abbott L. aerial photographs, 1957
R.009 Series 5: Johnson, Abbott L. oral history interview recording and transcript, 1982 Oct.
MAPS.074.01 Series 6: Public Airport System of Indiana map, circa 1928-1976
MAPS.074.02 Series 7: Muncie, Indiana plat map, circa 1928-1976
MAPS.074.03 Series 8: Johnson Field and other Indiana airport maps, blueprints, and line
drawings, circa 1928-1976
- Page 35 -