This collection consists of materials relating to community activist Adrian Meewis' 35 year battle with the Los Angeles Department of Airports over airport noise generated by Ontario International Airport.

Adrian Meewis came of age hiding from the Nazis in his native Holland. He immigrated to Ontario in 1947 and attained his U.S. citizenship in the early 1950’s. Taking to heart the judge’s admonition to “get involved,” he began attending city council meetings and soon became aware of Ontario International Airport’s growing pangs. By 1954, he maintained that the noise from aircraft taking off from the Ontario International Airport was disrupting his life. He began to accumulate noise studies and reports, and attend numerous city, county and regional meetings held on the subject of airport noise. For the next 35 years he fought against the airport’s noise, wanting its operations removed to Norton AFB in downtown San Bernardino. He helped form a citizen’s committee of homeowners that initiated a seven year lawsuit against the Los Angeles Dept. of Airports. Early on in the lawsuit, Mr. Meewis and his committee rejected an initial settlement offer from LAX. After a long fight the committee finally settled, unfortunately garnering less than half of that initial offer from LAX. In 1989 he gave up the fight and moved to quieter Calimesa, Ca. He donated 69 binders documenting his fight against the airport noise and other city affairs to the Model Colony Room on April 25, 1989. He died three years later in 1992.

15 linear feet

Collection open for research.

Collection is open for research during the posted operating hours of the Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room or by appointment. Please contact the history room in advance for access.