A family in Essex, Ontario, is selling their late parents’ private airport for $1.9M—hoping to find a buyer who will preserve its aviation legacy.
Essex Family Seeks Right Buyer for Beloved Home Airport
A Rare Listing with Deep Roots
An unusual opportunity has taken off in Essex, Ontario—an airport and family home built from a pilot’s dream is now for sale. The Harrington siblings, Debby Taylor and Paul Harrington Jr., have listed their late parents’ property for just under $1.9 million. More than a real estate transaction, it’s a search for someone who will honour a legacy that began in 1978.
The Dream That Took Flight
The Essex Airport was the vision of the late Paul Harrington Sr., a pilot and aircraft maintenance engineer who transformed a 10-acre bean field on Coulter Side Road into a federally registered airstrip. Alongside his wife, Ann, and their three children, Harrington built three hangars, a home, and a small aviation community. “Our parents had a dream of having airplanes behind their house,” said Taylor. “And here we are.”
More Than Just a Property
Beyond the airstrip, the property holds decades of family memories and community spirit. The Essex Airport became known for its “fly-ins,” gatherings where local pilots would land, share food, and celebrate their shared love of aviation. “It was kind of like a car show but for airplanes,” Taylor recalled. “Everybody brought a dish, and our parents made burgers and hotdogs.”
Built on Passion, Not Profit
Paul Harrington Sr. also operated an aircraft repair business from the airport, known for his honesty and fair prices. “He wanted everybody to enjoy this hobby,” said Harrington Jr. “He helped people keep their planes when others might have overcharged them.” His approach earned him respect across southwestern Ontario’s flying community.
Holding Out for the Right Buyer
Though Harrington Jr. continues to maintain the grass runway, he admits it’s time to slow down. “I’m 61 now,” he said. “It’s time to hang up the lawnmower and travel a bit.” Still, the siblings are patient. They’ve shown the property to buyers from Egypt, India, and Mexico but are determined to find someone who shares their father’s passion. “Ideally, we’d love it to go to another pilot,” said Taylor. “That’s what Dad would have wanted.”
A Legacy Ready for Takeoff
The Essex Airport listing isn’t just about land and hangars—it’s a piece of local history built by hand and heart. For the Harrington family, the sale is about ensuring their father’s dream continues to soar. “It’s our parents’ legacy,” said Taylor. “We just want it to stay the Essex Airport.”
