Long Beach Airport ends year-long centennial celebration with time capsule – Press Telegram

Long Beach airport and city officials celebrated the completion of the regional travel hub’s 100th anniversary on Thursday, Dec. 5, with a special event — and by sealing a time capsule in a wall of the airport’s historic terminal.

The time capsule, now hidden in the airport’s most famous building, was filled with various items, including souvenir photos and letters, to celebrate and commemorate this moment in history. The reopening is scheduled for the airport’s 150th anniversary in five decades, on November 26, 2074.

“What a year it has been here at the Long Beach Airport,” Mayor Rex Richardson said during the ceremony. “We kicked off the 100th anniversary with an incredible celebration, and a few months later we opened this beautiful (historic) terminal with the mosaic mural and titles, and our community is absolutely raving about how beautiful this entire airport renovation has become. “And we’re not done yet.”

Officials also used the celebration to unveil LGB’s new brand slogan: “America’s Coolest Airport.”

“We love that it captures everything we want to be for our travelers and our community,” said Long Beach Airport Director Cynthia Guidry.

Mayor Rex Richardson helps seal a time capsule at the Long Beach Airport on Thursday, December 5, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Airport Director Cynthia Guidry speaks during the Long Beach Airport Time Capsule Dedication on Thursday, December 5, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Harley Alcorn, facility maintenance manager, places a time capsule in the wall of the Long Beach Airport on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Councilman Daryl Supernaw describes a photo his father took at the Long Beach Airport in the 1960s, which he then placed in LGB’s time capsule on Thursday, December 5, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Mayor Rex Richardson plays pickleball after the dedication of a time capsule at the Long Beach Airport on Thursday, December 5, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Brian Sonia-Wallace reads a poem he wrote during the time capsule dedication at the Long Beach Airport on Thursday, December 5, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Sand from the Long Beach Peninsula is placed in a time capsule at the Long Beach Airport on Thursday, December 5, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Harley Alcorn, facility maintenance manager, seals a time capsule at the Long Beach Airport on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Council Member Megan Kerr speaks during the dedication of the Long Beach Airport Time Capsule on Thursday, December 5, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Mayor Rex Richardson speaks during the dedication of the Long Beach Airport Time Capsule on Thursday, December 5, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

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Mayor Rex Richardson helps seal a time capsule at the Long Beach Airport on Thursday, December 5, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

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The Long Beach Municipal Airport has played a critical role in the city’s economic, historical and cultural significance over the past century, said City Manager Tom Modica.

According to a recent study, the Long Beach Airport Aviation Complex is responsible for $9 billion in total economic output and supports more than 41,000 jobs throughout the region.

The airport has also undergone a number of renovations in recent years as part of its Terminal Area Improvements Program, a $125 million plan to modernize and improve the airport.

In addition to the $17.8 million renovation and restoration of the historic terminal, LGB also opened a new ticketing lobby and a brand new baggage claim in recent years.

The airport is also currently working on an $11 million upgrade to its terminal loop, aimed at smoothing the flow of passengers through the airport and modernizing access for Americans with disabilities as required by law.

In addition to various photos and other memorabilia, city officials, including council members Megan Kerr and Daryl Supernaw, included letters in the time capsule.

“We know the airport is a testament to the pioneering spirit of innovation that continues in new industries today,” Kerr said. “I can only imagine that in 50 years they will think this is outdated technology.”

Supernaw told a story about accompanying his father when President Lyndon B. Johnson visited Long Beach Airport in October 1964. His father took a photo of the moment – which also captured former California Gov. Pat Brown. Supernaw has turned this into a certificate to be added to the time capsule.

“It is a great honor to be part of this announcement of the coolest airport in the world,” added Supernaw.

Other items in the time capsule include:

• Letters from the Long Beach Airport Time Capsule Committee, LGB Director, Mayor, City Manager, Council Members and the Historical Society of Long Beach
• Articles from LGB partners including Southwest Airlines, Jet Zero, Ampaire, Aeroplex, Atlantic Aviation and others.
• A medal celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Long Beach Marathon
• A challenge coin from the mayor’s office
• A map of the municipal district
• Beach sand
• Newspapers
• A Long Beach Airport employee photo
• Dodgers 2024 World Series articles

The celebration also included a pop-up pickleball experience that will also be available for LGB travelers to try out during the holiday travel season.

“We have a lot of items in the capsule that really come from so many of our community members and our partners — and it’s really a great level of love and collaboration,” Guidry said, “that we’re all a part of.” Something great and bringing something in here.”