Inventory
Mr. Paul Jankovich and his brother Nick established early airports in Northwest Indiana, first at 61st Avenue and Broadway in Merrillville and later the site along Industrial Highway which became the present-day Gary/Chicago Airport. Born on November 27, 1913 in Nunica, Michigan, Paul graduated from Gary's Emerson High School in 1930. He and his brother founded the Calumet Air Service/Calumet Aviation and operated the Gary (Merrillville) airport during the 1930s. During World War II, Paul served as a captain in the Army Air Corps, training pilots in instrument flight. In 1949, the Jankovich brothers established the airport at the current site, leasing the property from the City of Gary, in order to accommodate larger aircraft utilized in commercial aviation. The new airport suffered a setback, however, when the Indiana Toll Road's construction prevented expansion of runways needed by larger jets (the brothers sued the state to block the highway's construction but lost the suit). The hangers and runways were sold to the city in 1977.
Paul Jankovich also served on the Merrillville Planning Commission (including a term as its president) and helped to oversee the dynamic growth of the Town of Merrillville. In addition, he converted a hanger at the original airport site into a discount food store. He continued to fly in his 70s, along with becoming one of the area's leading bowlers. Paul Jankovich passed away on September 6, 2008.
The Paul Jankovich Papers include photographs, newsarticles, and various items related to the history of aviation in Northwest Indiana.
0.75 Linear Feet
December 2008
| Box |
File |
Description |
| 1 |
1 |
Historical information, Paul Jankovich, 2008 |
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2 |
Newsarticles, 1942-1943, 1962, 1964, 1968. |
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3 |
Magazines, (2), High Pitch, published by the aviation cadets at Shaw Field, Sumter, South Carolina, 1942 |
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4 |
Program, 50th Reunion, Emerson High School, Classes of 1928-1931 |
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5 |
Greeting cards, Calumet Air Service, n.d. |
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6 |
Membership cards, (2), Lake Shore Pilots Association; Indiana Pilots Association, 1938
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7 |
Tickets, Lake Shore Pilots Association, Annual Aviation Banquet, 1937-1938
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8 |
Tickets, Lake Shore Pilots Association, Annual Aviation Banquet, 1937-1938
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|
9-11 |
Instruction manuals, aviation, 1942-1945 |
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12 |
Manual, Jungle-Desert, Arctic Emergencies, n.d. |
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13 |
Booklet, Personal Affairs of Military Personnel and Their Dependents, 1942
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14 |
Memorandum, Nick Jankovich and Paul Jankovich vs. Indiana Toll Road Commission, 1964
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| 2 |
14 |
Certificate, Private Pilot Examiner, Paul Jankovich, 1947 |
Subject Tracings
- Airports
- Aviation
- Chamberlin, Clarence
- Emerson High School
- Gary (Ind.)
- Gary Airport
- Lake Shore Pilots Association
- Merrillville (Ind.)
- Turner, Roscoe
- World War II
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