In Essex, Ontario, a unique opportunity has emerged for buyers interested in owning a family home with an airport in its vicinity. The property, listed for just under $1.9 million, encompasses 10 acres of land on Coulter Side Road. It features three airplane hangars, a family residence, and a grass airstrip registered federally, all developed by the Harrington family.
The late Paul Harrington Sr., together with his family and late wife Ann, established the Essex Airport in 1978. Harrington Jr. recalls how his father transformed a 10-acre piece of land, originally covered with beans, into a licensed airport. The property holds sentimental value as the family’s cherished legacy.
Growing up on the property, Harrington Jr., Taylor, and Taylor reminisce about their aviation-centric childhood. The airport hosted vibrant “fly-ins,” serving as a community hub for pilots and families. The family’s dedication to aviation extended beyond leisure, with Harrington Sr. offering aircraft maintenance services emphasizing passion over profits.
As the Harrington siblings seek the right buyer, they hope to pass on the property to someone who shares their father’s aviation passion. Despite interest from various international parties, the family is patient, holding out for a buyer aligned with their vision for the airport’s future. The legacy of the Essex Airport remains a testament to the Harrington family’s enduring love for aviation.
Photo Credits:
– Image 1: Paul Harrington Sr. working on a plane at the Essex Airport. Source: Facebook/Harrington Aviation – Essex Airport
– Image 2: Some scenes from a “fly-in” event at the Essex Airport from the Harrington family photo albums. Source: The Harrington family
– Image 3: An old newspaper article about a fly-in at the airport held in support of Harrington Sr.’s struggle to keep his property safe from expropriation. Source: The Harrington Family
– Image 4: A young Paul Harrington Jr. sits on the rooftop of a hangar to watch passing planes. Source: The Harrington family
– Image 5: Paul Harrington Sr. and Debby Taylor going through old photo albums in the hangar at Essex airport. Source: Jacob Barker/CBC
– Image 6: A caution sign on Coulter Side Road in Essex, Ontario, near the airport property. Source: Jacob Barker/CBC