Henderson Airport — Garden Prairie's Second Private Strip in Boone County
Henderson Airport is a privately owned landing facility in Garden Prairie, Boone County, Illinois—one of two private strips the FAA records for this small unincorporated community. The Henderson name likely reflects a family ownership history, as many private airstrips in rural Illinois bear the surnames of the farming families who built and maintained them over generations. Garden Prairie's flat landscape and proximity to the Boone–McHenry county line make it naturally suitable for private grass runways, requiring minimal earthwork and offering clear approach and departure corridors over open farmland.
The FAA identifier for Henderson Airport places it within Illinois's system of private landing areas monitored by IDOT's Division of Aeronautics. Pilots planning to visit Henderson Airport must secure advance permission from the owner and file appropriate communications through the FAA Great Lakes Region. The nearby Illinois–Wisconsin border means that cross-border flights from Henderson Airport can quickly enter Wisconsin's airspace, requiring awareness of both states' aeronautical regulations and any temporary flight restrictions that may be active in the area.
How is Henderson Airport different from Kaufield Airport in Garden Prairie?
Both are separately owned private airstrips in Garden Prairie; they are distinct facilities with different FAA identifiers, owners, and physical locations within the community.
Does Henderson Airport have paved runways?
Private strips in the Garden Prairie area are generally turf or grass surfaces; pilots should confirm surface conditions directly with the owner before arriving in wet or winter weather.
What sectional chart covers Henderson Airport?
Henderson Airport appears on the Chicago VFR Sectional chart, which covers northern Illinois and parts of southern Wisconsin and Indiana.
Can light sport aircraft (LSA) land at Henderson Airport?
If the owner grants permission, light sport aircraft can typically operate at private grass strips like Henderson Airport, provided the runway length and surface condition are adequate for the specific aircraft.
Henderson Airport Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Garden Prairie, Illinois.
| Name | Henderson Airport |
| Address | 4175 Shattuck Road, Garden Prairie IL 61038 Map |
| Phone | (815) 547-8230 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Henderson Airport
Garden Prairie's Agricultural Aviation Legacy in Northern Boone County
Garden Prairie exemplifies the rural character of northern Boone County, where small villages and unincorporated communities are surrounded by working farms that have supported private aviation for decades. Landowners who also happen to be pilots have found it economical and convenient to maintain private strips on their property, reducing the need to hangar aircraft at distant public airports. Henderson Airport reflects this tradition, representing the kind of private, family-scale aviation infrastructure that gives rural Illinois its distinctive character compared to metropolitan aviation landscapes.
For commercial air travel from Garden Prairie, the primary options are Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) about 65 miles to the southeast and Chicago Rockford International (RFD) approximately 25 miles to the west. O'Hare remains one of the world's most connected airports, handling roughly 40 million passengers per year with service to over 200 destinations on more than 80 airlines. Rockford provides a far less congested alternative for travelers seeking domestic flights to leisure destinations, particularly via Allegiant Air's point-to-point service model.