In early 1941, the US Army activated the old McCarran Field for use as a military base. With the civilian pilots having no place to keep their aircraft, Florence, her husband John, and a friend, Bud Barrett, bought 200 acres off the old Tonopah Highway. They restored the runways, purchased and relocated an old hangar to the property, and installed other facilities.
After December 7, 1941, John and Bud enlisted in the military, leaving Florence to manage Sky Harbor on her own, thus making her the first female in the United States to co-own, build and operate an airport. In 1946, after the Murphys sold their interest in Sky Harbor to their partner, Florence began working for Bonanza Air Lines, her commercial license allowing her on occasion to pilot flights without the knowledge of the customers, making her the first female to serve in that capacity for a regularly scheduled US airline. Murphy served as the Vice President and Secretary of the company with responsibilities over personnel and labor relations.
For her role in the expansion of civilian aviation and development of commercial aviation in Nevada, Florence J. Murphy earned her place in the Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame.
