Hargrove Airport

The primary reason for closure was its replacement by the new, modern Stuttgart Municipal Airport (ICAO: KSGT), which was constructed immediately to the southeast of the original site. The decision was likely driven by the aging infrastructure of the World War II-era airfield, the high cost of maintaining and upgrading its expansive concrete runways, and the benefits of a new facility designed for contemporary aviation needs.

The site of the former Hargrove Airport has been almost completely redeveloped for industrial and agricultural use. The central part of the airfield, including the former intersection of its three long runways, is now occupied by a massive Riceland Foods grain storage and processing facility. While the hangars, terminal, and other airport buildings have been demolished, faint outlines of the original concrete runways and taxiways are still visible in satellite imagery in the fields surrounding the industrial complex.

The airport has a rich history dating back to World War II. It was originally established in 1942 as Stuttgart Army Airfield. Its primary mission was to serve as an Advanced Glider Training base for the U.S. Army Air Forces, preparing glider pilots for major combat operations, including the D-Day invasion of Normandy and Operation Market Garden. After the war, the airfield was handed over to the City of Stuttgart and became the Stuttgart Municipal Airport. For decades, it was the primary aviation hub for the region, supporting general aviation, agricultural flying, and scheduled commercial passenger service. Airlines such as Trans-Texas Airways operated flights from the airport using aircraft like the Douglas DC-3. It was later renamed Hargrove Airport before its eventual closure.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening Hargrove Airport. The land has been permanently repurposed for heavy industrial use, and the community is served by the active Stuttgart Municipal Airport (KSGT). The redevelopment of the site makes any future return to aviation use infeasible.