The Lehi Historical Society has invited the public to attend a ceremony for the unveiling of a new historical marker honoring Carter Airport. The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, at 10 a.m. at 600 East and Airport Drive, on the property where the airport once operated.
Lara Bangerter, director of the Lehi Historical Society, stated that the society chose to honor the Carters and their airport because their vision helped make the Wasatch Front a hub for pilot education.
The unveiling program will include remarks from City Council member James Harrison and Ray Carter, the son of airport founders Vern and Jessie Carter. The event will also feature an appearance by KSL’s Chopper 5 and treats provided by Chick-fil-A.
This installation marks the 18th addition to the Lehi Historical Marker Program. Established in 2022, the program is supported by the Lehi City PARC program and contributions from the John David and Danaca Hadfield family of HADCO Construction.
Vern Carter was a pioneering aviator who performed aerial stunts as a barnstormer before becoming a flight instructor. He utilized aircraft for various community services, including mail delivery, elk herd counting, and search-and-rescue missions. In 1929, he married Jessie Welsh, and together they managed multiple aviation operations.
In 1960, the couple purchased 60 acres in Lehi to build an open-air airport featuring a 3,900-foot gravel runway and facilities for maintenance and training. While Vern focused on flight instruction, Jessie managed the business and ground school operations. The couple was inducted into the Utah Aviation Hall of Fame in 2014.
Carter Airport was officially dedicated on July 26, 1966. Following the unexpected death of Vern Carter just 20 days after the dedication, the airport continued operations under different owners until it closed in 1972.
Ray Carter noted that his parents functioned as a true team, stating that his father could not have trained as many pilots without his mother managing the necessary ground paperwork. Organizers noted that the marker is intended to ensure the story of the Carters and their airport continues to inspire future generations.
