On May 12, 1921, over 100 years ago, on a field outside of Tabernash, a barnstorming pilot landed. Eager school boys greeted the dashing, brash aviator.

During those years, “barnstorming” of airplanes was quite common. By 1921, aircraft design and engine power was advanced enough to handle the higher altitudes in Grand County. In an era before television, visiting stunt pilots created a lot of excitement performing aerial acrobatics, often in small towns and rural areas. 

These pilots would fly over towns, advertising their presence with flyers and offering rides in their planes for a small fee. The term “barnstorming” likely comes from the fact that many of these pilots would land their planes in farmers’ fields, sometimes even in front of barns, to set up their exciting airshows.  

In 1921, Tabernash was one of the larger towns in the area. According to the 1920 census, Grand County had a population of 2,659. Because the Moffat Railroad created Tabernash as a divisional point, primarily used for changing train crews, maintaining equipment and managing the overall operation of the line, the town and surrounding area had a large population. 

These points were crucial for efficient train movement, particularly on the Moffat Route, which involved challenging terrain and long distances. In 1905, the chief engineer of the Denver & Salt Lake Railroad, E.A. Meredith, named the new town after a Ute Indian named Tabernash, who was killed in the area in 1878. Tabernash continued to grow during these years. 

If you enjoy local aviation history, visit the Grand County Historical Association Emily Warner Field Aviation Museum for free any Friday or Saturday this summer from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more at GrandCountyHistory.org/museums/emily-warner-field-aviation-museum.