Gilpin Airlines, formally re-incorporated in 1932 as G & G Gilpin Air Lines Company was an air charter and airline company operated in California, Arizona, and the Mexican states of Sonora and Baja California from 1929 (96 years ago) (1929) to 1934 (91 years ago) (1934).
The airline is notable for its ownership by Arizona pioneer and politician Isabella Greenway, and for its involvement with trans-border traffic during the days of Prohibition.
Gilpin, who learned to fly during World War I, had been an associate of Mrs. Greenway, Arizona’s first Congresswoman and owner of far-flung business interests in the state.
He had been chauffeur for Greenway’s deceased husband, and is recorded as flying numerous flights in the Southwest in the 1926-30 timespan, including in an aircraft of his own design and manufacture.
The new manager served only a few weeks before abandoning the job, but attracted considerable press attention to the struggling outfit.
[2] Greenway's ownership of the airline and familiarity with aviation was a reason she, as the only Democrat, broke publicly with family friend President Franklin D. Roosevelt over the Air Mail Scandal of 1934.
However, the chief source of revenue came from a route between Los Angeles and Agua Caliente Racetrack, now in Tijuana city.
The airline’s brochure stated a fare of $7.50 for this route, which included stops in San Diego and other locations as requested.
The Gilpin Hangar and control tower, now part of an industrial park, are still in existence at West Romero Road, Tucson.