/ Airport / The History of Aviation in Rogue Valley / Official Opening
MEDFORD MUNICIPAL AIRPORT OFFICALLY OPENED ON AUGUST 4, 1930
The Medford Municipal Airport began operation officially on August 4, 1930. The new strip located on the present site was completed in October of 1929. It was a state-of-the-art $120,000 model for the age. It featured a 2.55-million candlepower beacon, a spanking new radio station, and a weather bureau. It also boasted quarters for pilots stopping over on flights north or south, a restaurant, six oil companies, and headquarters of the Rogue Valley Gun Club. The ceremonies were festive and a dance was held in the hangar following the ceremonies.
Mae Moore, a current resident of Medford, remembers attending the dance with her brother and dancing until the wee hours.
The first tri-motored passenger planes on the new Oakland-Seattle run, which was announced November 1, 1930, used Medford as a regular daily stop. The tri-motored ships were purchased by Boeing interests and added to the Pacific Air Transport (a predecessor of United Air Lines) Service, which operated night mail planes through Medford on the Seattle-San Diego run.
Under the first government project, Civil Works Administration (CWA) a cross runway, east and west, 100 feet wide and 2,700 feet long was constructed. The Federal Government paid $22,689 of the cost and the city paid $899.
Under the second government project, SERA, the main runway was widened and lengthened to 3,500 feet by 100 feet and the cross runway was made 2,805 feet by 100 feet. Additional drainage was provided for the aprons. On this project the city spent $5,077 of the total of $37,173. By this time, a total of 120 acres had been improved.
Under another government project, Works Progress Administration (WPA) the main runway was extended to 4,000 feet and widened 50 feet and finished with water-bound macadam surface. The main runway was 4,000 feet by 100 feet with 50 foot shoulders of gravel on each side. Boundary lighting to conform to the added length of the field was installed. The city expended $6,882 and WPA spent $44,638. A wind cone was installed and some leveling and grading were completed by New Youth Association (NYA).
The U.S. Army Air Corp fighting squadrons used the Medford airport for summer encampments in the late 1930's. One of the first was the 60th Pursuit Group from Hamilton Air Force Base, consisting of 20-30 planes.
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