Flight 629 Memorial: Help us build a permanent tribute
The Flight 629 memorial aims to preserve the history of the tragic event of Flight 629 — the first-ever plane bombing over U.S. soil, including honoring the 44 passengers and crew killed. The permanent memorial will be built in Weld County where the tragedy occurred.
OUR MISSION.
Flight 629 Memorial was founded in November of 2023 to remember the 44 passengers and crew who perished on the United Airlines Flight on November 1, 1955.
We desire also to commemorate the 1st Responders on the farmers land in Weld County and surrounding towns that came out on this night to assist with this unexpected tragedy.
The Weld County Flight 629 Memorial has a mission with the Frederick-Firestone Fire District to host the Memorial on the actual land of the tragic crash site at their #6 Firehouse; planned for 2027. Please join the 629 board to raise funds for a permanent site to share the history from Denver to Weld County and provide an environment for reflection to bring healing to the state of Colorado and the nation.
“A generation that ignores history has no past and no future.”
– Robert A Heinlein
Historical Facts.
This historical event in Weld County Colorado, which was the first act of sabotage (now classified as terroism) on a commercial airline in American History, had a lasting and significant effect on future laws, courts and investigative techniques.
• U.S. congress passed an act that airline and bus bombings are a Federal Crime.
• July 14, 1956, President Eisenhower signed into law authorizing the death penalty for anyone convicted of sabotaging a commercial airline which results in death and 20 years in prison without death.
• A landmark ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court, which allowed the perpetrator case to be the first trial to be televised, paved the way for greater media access to courtrooms.
• The manager of Denver 7, formerly KLZ-TV, was appointed by the judge to coordinate television and radio broadcasting for the trial.
• This changed the law for numerous written, audio, and visual media organizations, and in the courtrooms.
• Stricter passenger safety policies, such as luggage review, was prompted for air travel: April 1, 1960 FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover recommended the x-raying of all luggage.
• Due to the number of people perished, Weld county Corner Ross Adamson set up the Greeley armory as a temporary morgue as FBI fingerprinted for identification.
• Airport Insurance vending machines were outlawed in order to reduce incentive for murder.
• The reconstruction of the DC Liner involved in the Flight 629 crash, was the largest reconstruction ever at that time. This changed how FBI performed Forensics and became a case study for FBI Training.
This video is about Conrad and Martha Hopp. Both were Eye Witness’s and First Citizen Responders while waiting for the 1st responders to arrive. Forty victims landed on the Hopp Property that night in 1955.
Flight 629 Memorial Future Site
The Weld County Flight 629 Memorial has partnered with the Frederick-Firestone Fire District who represent the 1st Responders will host the Memorial on the actual sacred land of the tragic crash. This will be part of station No. 6 planned for 2027.
Located at FFF Firestation no. 6 is in Firestone, CO between Ronald Reagan Boulevard, Barefoot Lakes Parkway and the Memorial will be off of Bluestem Lane.
Thank you to Fire Chief Jeremy Young for wanting to share this site to honor all 1st responders, citizen responders and the victims and families.
The Story.
On November 1, 1955, a cold quiet night in CO, the first ever plane bombing over U.S. soil for DC-6B United Airlines airline flight 629 occurred, killing all 44 persons on board – including the wife of an aide to President Eisenhower. At 7:01 PM a loud explosion and burst of white light traveled across the sky interrupting the atmosphere 11 minutes after takeoff from Denver. The crash was witnessed by the community who heard a blast followed by a rain of fiery debris falling from the sky beyond the 3 Farmers beet fields.
The firemen and state patrol arrived turning back the 100s of citizens who showed up from unincorporated Longmont, Platteville, Greeley and other nearby municipalities attempting to rush the fields. Some citizens were deputized including Clayton Bearly, the manager of Johnson’s Corner. They all came frantic to help – only to find no survivors. This left an indelible mark of sadness in the history of our state of Colorado and across the Nation.
Through the FBI and CBI investigative measures, it was determined that this despicable act of murder was committed by one of the passengers sons who placed 25 sticks of dynamite in his Mother’s suitcase. His intention was to collect insurance benefits upon his mother’s death. Justice was swift. In a mere 16 months, he was charged, convicted and executed for this heinous crime.
However, it was justice only for one. There were no laws in 1955 that could be applied to this situation that could make him accountable for all 44 victims. Only one first degree murder for the death of his Mother was applicable. The other 43 victims were just….collateral damage, with no justice for them or their families. United Airlines was not at fault either. Only a few families settled out of court through legal action.
Flight 629 Memorial organization (Weld County) was established with local citizens who formed a 501c(3) board and a committee, (EIN 99-2524686).
It is their intention to help preserve the historic significance that came from the tragedy of Flight 629.
November 1, 2025 marked the 70th anniversary of the horrific act of murder. The Denver Police Museum has partnered with History Colorado and FlyteCo Tower (one of the original towers) This is where the Denver Memorial is placed to honor the 44 and the origination of United flight 629.
Blogs
Stapleton Control Tower No.2 Still Stands Today in Denver.
Chief Jeremy Young’s Speech at the 70th Anniversary
70 years later: A place to reflect, honor victims of United 629 plane bombing
How to Donate.
Be Part of our Mission Statement for Flight 629
Your tax deductible donation can be sent to Flight 629 Memorial, C/O *Martha Hopp, 11413 Weld County Road 13, Longmont CO 80504. Thank you for considering this request.
www.Flight629memorial.org
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