Fun Fact: Which Maryland County Is Home to the Oldest Continually Operating Airport in the World?

College Park Airport in Prince George’s County, Maryland, holds the title of the oldest continuously operating airport in the world. Located just outside the nation’s capital, it has been in use since the Wright Brothers’ era.

Founded in 1909, College Park Airport was used as a military demonstration site for the Wright Brothers. Since then, the airport has witnessed many aviation milestones, including the first mile-high flight by a powered airplane, the first female passenger, and the first controlled helicopter flight.

In 1973, The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) acquired the airport to preserve and manage it as part of their mission to develop and maintain a regional park system in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties.

Today, College Park Airport continues to serve the aviation needs of Prince George’s County and its neighboring areas, standing as a living monument to the evolution of flight.

If you would like your county featured in Fun Facts, please get in touch with Amanda Grosskrueger at agrosskrueger@mdcounties.org.