Established in 1926, the airport was a stop along a transcontinental air route from New York City to Los Angeles.

The airport was officially named for Lt. Richard Harding Stout, a decorated veteran of World War I who had died in an airplane crash at Fort Benjamin Harrison.

[4] By 1928, the city realized expansion possibilities were limited and began plans for what is now Indianapolis International Airport two miles (3.2 km) to the west.

The Indiana State Police used the airfield following the war and purchased more land in order to build extensions to the runways.

[3] The site of the airport has now been mostly filled out by commercial and industrial development, though the unmistakable outline of an airfield can still be seen from satellite pictures.