Real estate developer E. H. Holmes built the airport on approximately 220 acres (89 ha) of undeveloped land.

[4] Later that year, the first scheduled flights from New York City began when Eastern Air Express started a two-day service to Miami from Holmes.

[5] On Sunday, November 11, 1934, sixty-four airplanes took part in a 30-mile (48 km) novelty race involving a treasure hunt and pie-eating contest, the winner returning in 28 minutes.

[3][7] In 1936, a Goodyear blimp based at Holmes Airport provided the first aerial traffic reports.

[3] The northern portion of Holmes Airport's land was later developed into veteran housing and the Bulova watch factory site.