Thank you, I could see this huge flat area behind the trees going north on Abbot/Chandler to the east but could not see what going on there, a sod farm! that makes sense. The reason I thought it was some sort of government field or something restricted is because there is a building with a marked Restricted Zone sign across the street west side around16143 Chandler. We pass by that way often as we begin our off-highway trip Northeast up to Iosco County where we have a cabin by the Au Sable River, so I guess I make up stories about sites along the way.
Ahhh, yes, that appears to be an access road to the farm. I'm not often up that way, so I never differentiated it with all the other farms along that road up that way. But looking at the map, yeah, it's huge, huge farm, a pretty unusual landscape for this area. lol And it's drained by the Remy-Chandler Drain and its branches.
BTW, another interest piece of history about that area is that on the other side of Chandler where Chandler Crossings is, now, was the David Airport, a small general aviation airport serving East Lansing & DeWitt Twp. I had no idea, but it apparently operated all the way until 2000, so pretty much right up until they redeveloped the site into apartments.
There's actually still at least one of the hangars still out there from the airport. I know one of the guys that owns what remains of the property. I used to spend a decent amount of time out there.
Interesting. I'm looking at aerials of the place, and I can only make out two structures that look like they could have been part of the aiport. The first is in the parking lot of East Lansing Soccer Complex, and the second is a structure that looks to be a commons building on The Villages (at Chandler Crossing). Though both of these could be new constructions. It looks like most of the structures of the airport are where the commercial part of Chandler Crossing is right off of Chandler. In fact, you can still see some old foundations in the undeveloped portion of the commercial center.
These were just past the Village at Chandler Crossings. There's a retention pond, many newer pole barns and an older silver hangar that appeara as a white roof. It's hard to tell what it is from the aerials. Looking at the aerials, it's to the east of the northern most building at the Village. I was always told it was part of the airport anyways. Maybe it was just stories lol.
That's the hangar, it's not a maintenance building for the village. It's entirely fenced off from the village. That is what I was talking about though.
I was able to locate the old house that's closer to the road with the 1981 aerial and trace back to the hangar. That's pretty cool to see it's relationship to the airport. I can see myself wasting way too much time on that aerial site lol.
The aerial site is fantastic. Be sure to check out all the other dates available (click the "aerials" tab in the top left), much of the area has imagery back to 1955/56, it changes based on where you're looking. Seeing before the freeways, Capitol Complex or Frandor, among so many other things, is very cool imo. I have spent many hours there lol
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BTW, another interest piece of history about that area is that on the other side of Chandler where Chandler Crossings is, now, was the David Airport, a small general aviation airport serving East Lansing & DeWitt Twp. I had no idea, but it apparently operated all the way until 2000, so pretty much right up until they redeveloped the site into apartments.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KQ5c8e19U5zEBcyL9
A 1981 aerial view (another chance to note that I love the historic aerial viewer):
https://www.historicaerials.com/location/42.77346546552308/-84.4864446499505/1981/16
I was able to locate the old house that's closer to the road with the 1981 aerial and trace back to the hangar. That's pretty cool to see it's relationship to the airport. I can see myself wasting way too much time on that aerial site lol.
So cool though. I knew aerials have been around for a long time but never knew an easy way to access them. Thanks for this!