Douglas Airport and Airpark Speedway

Location: 2753 Blue Star Highway [now Horse Shoe Farm], Saugatuck Township

The Douglas Airport (also known as the Saugatuck-Douglas Airport) opened for business just after World War II by Harl and Lucille Schneider, both pilots. It provided student instruction, charter trips, and had a cafe known as “The Airport Grill.” It had two 2500 foot packed dirt runways and several hangars. The Schneiders had a four-place Stinson plane along with several Aeronca airplanes (two-seaters)—painted yellow. The airport provided training lessons for returning WWII GIs. In 1952 an automobile racing track was added near the back of the property complete with bleacher seating, called “Airpark Speedway” with weekly races and the home of other events, including a huge Saugatuck Jazz Festival (1959, 1960) — the 1960 one included Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond, and Duke Ellington. The Airport Grill exists as a remodeled residence.