Rich Field is a defunct military airfield near Waco, Texas

Waco, Texas

Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....

, used for flying training during World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

. It was named in honor of 2nd Lt. C. Perry Rich of the Philippine Scouts

Philippine Scouts

The Philippine Scouts was a military organization of the United States Army from 1901 until the end of World War II. Made up of native Filipinos assigned to the United States Army Philippine Department, these troops were generally enlisted and under the command of American officers, however, a...

. He had been instructed to fly by Lt. Frank P. Lahm in May 1913, then crashed his Wright Model C

Wright Model C

|-References:*], Dr. Richard Stimson, The Wright Stories...

 into Manila Bay

Manila Bay

Manila Bay is a natural harbor which serves the Port of Manila , in the Philippines.The bay is considered to be one of the best natural harbors in Southeast Asia and one of the finest in the world...

 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

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

 era, aviation activity continued there as a civil airport

Airport

An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...

. Flying lessons were available. During the 1920s and 1930s traveling airshows occasionally visited Rich Field. Ford Trimotor

Ford Trimotor

The Ford Trimotor was an American three-engined transport plane that was first produced in 1925 by the companies of Henry Ford and that continued to be produced until June 7, 1933. Throughout its time in production, a total of 199 Ford Trimotors were produced...

 offered the public a 10 minute flight to downtown Waco and back for one dollar. On one visit the Trimotor

Trimotor

A trimotor is an aircraft powered by three piston engines.Trimotor designs were relatively common in the early days of aviation, as engines were less powerful and less reliable.-Notable types:* Armstrong Whitworth Argosy...

 was put into a spin

Spin (flight)

In aviation, a spin is an aggravated stall resulting in autorotation about the spin axis wherein the aircraft follows a corkscrew downward path. Spins can be entered intentionally or unintentionally, from any flight attitude and from practically any airspeed—all that is required is sufficient yaw...

 (without passengers) for show. For many years Braniff International Airways

Braniff International Airways

Braniff International Airways was an American airline that operated from 1928 until 1982, primarily in the midwestern and southwestern U.S., South America, Panama, and in its later years also Asia and Europe...

 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

Heart O' Texas Coliseum

The Heart O' Texas Fair Complex, now known as the Extraco Events Center, is located in Waco, Texas. It was once the prime basketball facility for Baylor University. The H.O.T Coliseum was constructed after McLennan County voters authorized a bond issue of $1,200,000 in the early 1950s...

 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

Richfield High School (Waco)

Richfield High School is a school formerly located in the southwestern region of Waco, Texas. The school was built in 1960/1961 and opened in September 1961. It is situated on the site of a World War I airfield, Rich Field. In 1986 Richfield was consolidated with Waco High School and...

 in honor of the former airfield. Later that high school was consolidated into Waco High School

Waco High School

Waco High School is a Texas UIL Class 4A public high school located on N. 42 Street in Waco, Texas. As of August 2009, enrollment was 1902 with 139 teachers. The ethnicity is roughly 44.95% African American, 36.91% Hispanic, 17.19% White American and 0.95% Other. The school mascot is the lion...

.