Artifact Friday: Jack Adams Lowball Glasses

Pilots have always been an interesting group. One could assume it simply comes with the territory. But, of the many pilots in history, one aircraft salesman stood out. Jack Adams, an entrepreneur, purchased a little airstrip called Sanders Field around 1957 or 1958. The field was located near Horn Lake, Mississippi, and was renamed Twinkle Town by Adams. He would soon open Jack Adams Aircraft Sales Inc. and would sell aircraft well into the 1970s.

Jack Adams became a very successful aircraft salesman, drawing the attention of many pilots looking for their own aircraft. Adams’ logo became iconic amongst the pilot community and can be seen on these commemorative glasses that were gifted to new aircraft owners. The 3600’ unpaved runway saw the comings and goings of many aircraft from single-engine Bellancas to twin-engine Lockheeds.

The Twinkle Town Airport was attached to a farm as well, aptly named Twinkle Town Farm. The farm of Twinkle Town would draw the attention of, not a pilot, but the King. Elvis Presley would purchase the farm from Adams and rename it Circle G Ranch in 1967, further demonstrating Jack Adams’ aptitude for sales. The Airport of Twinkle Town was eventually closed in 2000 when an expansion of the nearby Tunica Airport began. The Twinkle Town Hangar would later be dismantled in 2008 and left behind two vague lines in the grass where the runways once lay.