History of McNary Field

1910

Airplanes first used the State Fairgrounds race track as an airport in 1910 until an airport was built.
 
1928

The American Legion played the lead role in getting the Salem Municipal Airport developed in its present location. An airport site committee was created to evaluate locations for a new airport to be constructed.

The site committee evaluated several sites around Salem before singling-out its present location on May 2, 1928. George F. Vick was the chairman of the site committee. The Joint Committees: Chamber of Commerce: George F. Vick, H.R. Crawford and F. A. Erixon, City Council: Watson Townsend, Paul V. Johnson, and George J. Wenderoth, and American Legion: Brazier C. Small, Jack Elliott and Carl E. Nelson, all met to discuss a location to site the airport. Criteria for the site was to be approximately 200 acres, and have room for at least three runways, a hangar and a shop. One of those sites was Southeast of the City and was owned by the State.

Citizens went to the polls on May 18, 1928 and approved Measure 100 for a bond of $50,000 for airport development.   Although the bond was approved, it was up to the State legislature to approve the sale of the land. The agreement was for the State to sell approximately 160 acres of land for $150.00 per acre.

1929

One year later on May 1, 1929 there was an issue of bond to cover property acquisition and construction.  In August of 1929 the Statewide convention of the Legion assembled in Salem and the airport was dedicated during that time.

The American Legion took out full page ads for the ceremony. Dedication occurred during a ceremony on August 8, 1929 at 4:00 pm. Ceremonies took place on a platform located at the intersection of the three runways.   Nine Army pursuit planes from San Diego took part in the celebration. Members of the American Legion that planned the convention were: Carl Gabrielson, H.G. Maison, J.J. Elliott, Brazier Small, Lewis Campbell, Willis Vincent, Frank Moore, Walter Zosel, C.R. McCullough, and H.E. Shade.

Lee Eyerly (a member of the American Society of Aeronautical Engineers) purchased land adjacent to the airport along Turner road and formed Eyery Air Transport company where he taught flight instruction. On his property he built an 85 by 98 foot machine shop, an administration building and office, and a 44 by 30 foot building for teaching students how to fly. Flying here was first incorporated under the name "Pacific Airplane Service" which later became "Eyerly Air Transport Company".  Lee became the first airport manager for the Salem Municipal Airport.
 
1929-1941

From the Great Depression in 1929 until the Stock Market crash in 1941 the airport stood virtually vacant until America's entry into World War II. Property expanded from 220 acres to 458 acres during this time and was primarily used to graze cattle. 

Direct airmail came to Salem on August 5, 1941 with the aircraft named "The City of Cleveland". First airmail out of Salem took place on December 5, 1941 aboard the "City of Salem" when United Airlines established service here.  Prior to United Airlines flights into Salem, the airport needed to have runway lights for night departures and arrivals.  All electrical conduit for the lights were in place and the airport had the lights in storage, however, grading needed to be completed prior to the light installation.  The airport used kerosene flare pots to light up the runway for aircraft to land until the new lights were installed. United Airlines used the hangar on the Northeast side of the airport as a terminal until a new one could be built.
 
1942

In the spring of 1942 the Air Force leased the airport from the City.

1943

In early June 1943 the 356th fighter squadron of the 354th fighter group were here to train. The military purchased 165.85 acres of land to be added to the existing land that the City had purchased for the airport.  In addition, the military built a control tower.

1944

The airport committee made up of Alderman Tom Armstrong, chairman, David O'Hara and Kenneth Perry prepared a resolution to City Council on March 5, 1944 renaming the airport as McNary Field in appreciation of the late Senator Charles L. McNary. City Council enthusiastically approved the resolution.

1946

Salem was the first in the State of Oregon to gain use of the airport from the U.S. War department on January 28, 1946. The permit granted to the City immediate possession of the airfield provided it would be used and maintained as a landing area and airport facility. The order states that the airport must remain open to the public and unrestricted to public use.

United Airlines freight service between Salem and other cities from coast to coast was started February 1, 1946. DC-3 Cargo-liners flying freight of 6,300 pounds capacity each inaugurated the service over United's nation-wide system.

1948

In January 1948 the government officially turned the airport back over to the City.  President Harry S. Truman flew into the Salem Airport on June 11, 1948.  The first jet to fly into Salem was an F-80 flown by Captain C. A. Curtin from Williams Base in Arizona on August 20, 1948.
 
1949

In July of 1949 a lease was signed giving the Navy use of the hangar on the east side of the airport and the use of other facilities on that side of the field. The Navy used the airport as a training center. Dedication ceremonies for the Salem Naval Air Facility were held here August 5, 1949. 

1950

The Airport Overlay Zone was established in August 1950 for protection of the airport surfaces. Today the Airport Overlay Zone falls under Salem Revised Statue Chapter 125.

The present day Airport Administration Building was dedicated on Sunday August 7, 1950. Those in attendance were Mayor Robert L. Elfstrom, City Manager J.L. Franzen and Airport Manager Charles Barclay. Mayor Elfstrom commented that a Metropolitan City must have air service and directed everyone's attention to the industries in the area depending on air transportation.
 
1955

State Board of Aeronautics moved into their own building in October 1955.

1960

Presidential Candidate John F. Kennedy flew into Salem on September 7, 1960.

On October 14th, 1960 an agreement was entered into between Marion & Polk Counties and the City of Salem for the establishment of a Port agency.  This Port Agency was formally called Marion-Salem-Polk Port Agency (MSP-PA).  The administrative board consisted of seven members appointed by the elected officials of each government, one member was appointed by Polk County, two members from Marion County and four members from the City of Salem.  Funding of this new agency was split up between the three governments. Salem 60%, Marion County 30%, and Polk County 10%.  The purpose of this board was to ensure the effective planning, economical operation and cooperative financing of air and river port facilities to meet the needs of public, private, commercial and industrial interests of the Mid-Willamette Valley.
 
1965

Rules and Regulations were published in July 1965 for McNary Field from the Marion Salem Polk-Port Agency (MSP-PA). Board members of the MSP-PA were: W. Frank Crawford, Chairman, Reynolds Allen, Charles W. Mills, M.D., A.H. Flicker, Donald H. Wells, R. Frank McKennon, A.H. Friesen, and Joseph F. Fitzpatrick - Port Director.

1966

Fire Department construction at the Airport was completed in 1966. The facility was large enough to house three fire trucks. The Salem Airport Restaurant built that same year. 

1967

The City of Salem again assumed ownership of the airport facility after the Marion-Salem-Polk Port Agency disbanded in July 1967. 

1977

United Airlines operated out of the Airport Administration Building along with the U.S. Weather Service installation, a car rental service, and a limousine service which operated to and from the Portland Airport. 

1996

World Helicopter Championships were hosted here on August 14-19, 1996. Countries that attended were from: United States, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, France, England, South Africa, Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Canada and Japan. Russia claimed the gold. 

All historical data was retrieved from Microfilm records in the Capitol Journal and Statesman Journal. Photos courtesy of the Salem Public Library Internet files.