Carmel Magazine

Byington Ford owned several hundred acres of Carmel Valley property. "Ford chose a 29-acre plot that was being used as an oat field for this proj- ect," says Jeff Ohlson, a member of the Carmel Valley Historical Society. Bush pilots had been using the plot for years, taking advantage of a prevailing up- valley wind to aid takeoffs and landings. The brothers graded a decomposed granite runway and Tyrie built a home for himself at the northwestern end. It featured a hangar for his plane with living quarters above. Clearly, the pri- ority was on flying—there was no garage; cars sat outside. The stage was set for a gala grand opening, but the Fords chose an unfortunate date for the festivities: December 7, 1941. While the broth- ers were waiting for the anticipated crowds, colorful balloons and pen- nants gaily flapping in the balmy breeze, another chapter in aviation histo- ry was being written…Japanese navy fliers were bombing Pearl Harbor. "What was to be called 'Airway Village' came to be known instead as the 'Double F Ranch,'" says Ohlson, "for 'Ford's Folly.'" It wasn't just an inconveniently timed opening that shot down this dream. Building materials were restricted during the ensuing World War II, and private aviation was severely curtailed. After hostilities ended, however, planning con- tinued. Designs were limned for a coun- tr y-club-like compound that would include a swimming pool, restaurant and control tower. It was built—sans tower—and used as a residence by Tyrie. Today, the structure is part of The Blue Sky Lodge. The airstrip continued to be used 114 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 Lars de Junge caught the aviation bug early when he witnessed a huge Zeppelin dirigible flying over his boyhood home in Sweden. He arrived in Carmel Valley in 1994, intent on turning the Ford's property into the Carmel Valley Vintage Airfield. Photos: Courtesy of the Carmel Valley Historical Society Above, de Junge is shown with the vintage Jeep he used to get around the Valley. During his tenure, many rare and unique aircraft visited the airfield, including the Blockbuster blimp. 112-117 Carmel Valley Airpark_152-161 Garcia story 4/25/14 6:05 PM Page 3

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