Talking History with Harold Modrow

By Scott Grove

Photography by Turner Photography Studio

Few people realize that Frederick’s first airport was actually located on the grounds of what is now Fort Detrick. Harold Modrow, a retired U.S. Army officer at Fort Detrick who holds a doctorate in psychology, discusses the development of the airport and its later transformation into a biological warfare research center. 

Scott: How did the airport come into being? 

Harold: The 1920s/1930s was an era of remarkable growth in aviation and the federal government sought to establish a network of airports across the United States to allow aircraft to land in emergencies. The City of Frederick bought a 92-acre parcel just north of the city for $26,785 and then leased the land to the federal government in August 1929 to create the first Frederick airport. It was located between Rosemont Avenue and 7th Street, just north of what is now Military Avenue. Brunswick also established an emergency airport under the same program; it no longer exists. 

Scott: Why were Frederick officials so enthusiastic about the idea of the airfield? 

Harold: Frederick’s leadership saw the establishment of a municipal airport as a source of pride, demonstrating that Frederick was a growing, modern city. With an airport, people could send and receive airmail as well as potentially having scheduled airline service. 

Scott: Could you describe the airfield?

Harold: Originally it consisted of a single grass runway, essentially running from near Rosemont to 7th Street. It was staffed by a single civilian custodian who was responsible for everything from mowing the grass to manning flight operations. The federal government paid for the construction of three buildings: a two-story operations building, a snack bar and a separate bathroom. The operations building still stands and backs to Military Avenue near Rosemont Avenue. 

In 1931, the 104th Aero Squadron of the Maryland National Guard relocated its summer training from Virginia to Maryland and selected Frederick airport as its training location. The rural areas around Frederick were perfect for training and pretend dogfights. In August of that year, the 104th Squadron trucks drove up the dirt road that became 7th Street and the squadron Douglas O-38 and Curtiss JN-4 trainer biplanes flew into the airport. Unfortunately, the squadron surgeon, Capt. Frederick Detrick, a World War I veteran, had died of a heart attack in June. In his memory, the squadron called the airport Detrick Field and the name stuck. Coincidentally, Dr. Detrick was born in Frederick County.

The federal government continued to lease the airport through the 1930s. In 1939, with the specter of another war looming over the country, the government established a military cadet pilot training program at the airfield. This increased traffic led to some improvements. A number of temporary wooden structures were added to serve as barracks and administrative offices. A large hangar was constructed at the end of the runway. This building still stands and is located near the intersection of Rosemont and Military avenues. Today, the only remaining section of the original Detrick Field runway is the fort’s parade ground in front of the headquarters building. 

Scott: How was the airport being used?

Harold: Detrick Field was primarily used by the government but was available for use by local citizens. In the 1930s, a number of barnstorming pilots would land here and offer airplane rides and shows. However, there is no historical mention of any private planes being permanently based at Detrick Field. By 1939, the field was entirely operated by the U.S. military with no civilian use allowed. 

Scott: How many years did the Detrick airfield exist and what caused it to cease operation? 

Harold: The last planes left Detrick Field in January 1942 after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. The planes and pilots—from both the 104th and the training program—were assigned to anti-submarine patrols off the mid-Atlantic coast. However, the federal government maintained the lease for the airfield and facilities. 

Scott: Why was Frederick selected as the site for the government’s biological warfare research?

Harold: Even before Pearl Harbor, the U.S. government was aware that both Germany and Japan were developing and, in some cases, testing biological warfare compounds. By early 1942, it became clear that the United States must establish a biological warfare program to develop both an offensive and more importantly a defensive program to counteract any attacks. Detrick Field was selected and in 1943 the federal government formally purchased the original 92 acres and another 62 acres of farmland and formally established Camp Detrick.

Scott: What was required to transform the airfield into the site for this research? 

Harold: A number of laboratories, administrative buildings and barracks were rapidly constructed in 1943 and 1944. Because of the secrecy needed for the program, the growth had very little impact on the Frederick community. Construction workers and materials were brought in on a special railroad line that had been built. The scientists and technicians were for the most part confined to Camp Detrick to avoid any release of information. It was not until 1946, after the war was over, that the purpose of this program was revealed to the public.  

Harold Modrow grew up in Springfield, Ill., and later served in the Medical Service Corps of the U.S. Army for 22 years—the last 10 years at Fort Detrick. After retirement, he served as director of Life Sciences at Leidos in Frederick and as president of the Fort Detrick Alliance for four years. Scott Grove is the owner of Grove Public Relations, LLC., a marketing and advertising firm. His work also includes interpretive planning and exhibit design for museums and historic sites. For more info, visit www.scottrgrove.com.