On May 19, 1938, a small Cessna aircraft flew from Brookfield to Chicago Municipal Airport, now known as Chicago Midway International Airport. According to a Village of Brookfield Government's Facebook post, it was the first and only Air Mail delivery completed on that route.
The event took place near the north parking lot of Brookfield Zoo. A rider portraying a Pony Express carrier delivered mail pouches to Brookfield Postmaster Michael Colgrass and a pilot for transport to Chicago. Special envelopes stamped with a panda were created to promote interest in Air Mail service.
The event drew a large crowd. Four riders delivered mail from different locations to the zoo. WLS-890 broadcaster Chuck Acree attended the event and attempted to feature the zoo’s panda, Mei-Mei, during a radio segment.
Captain H.C. Crosby of the Brookfield Police Department also participated and was noted as serving as a pilot during the event.
More information about Brookfield’s history is available on the village’s official website.
