Will Rogers at Iowa City Airport, 1928

The Iowa City Municipal Airport was a stopping point for a number of important pioneers in aviation. Will Rogers is shown in these photographs during a stop in Iowa City. In addition to being a famous entertainer, Rogers was a friend of Charles Lindbergh and strong supporter of the emerging aviation industry, often accompanying professional pilots during these early flights. He was the first civilian to fly with early air mail pilots from coast to coast in the United States. Rogers continued on many flights up until his death in 1935, during a failed take-off in Alaska.