 In 1930, Thomas Towle used the hangars to build his Towle TA-3 diesel powered amphibian.Renamed as Naval Air Station Grosse Ile during World War II, the installation operated until 1969, when it was closed and turned over to the Township in 1971 for operation as a general aviation airport.A memorial garden sits directly behind Township Hall, the former Hangar One, to honor all the men and women who served in the armed forces at the Naval Air Station Grosse Ile.