Owais Crawford
Dane County Regional Airport, also known as Truax Field, is a civil-military airport located 6 miles northeast of downtown Madison, Wisconsin. The airport was built in 1939 after three years of construction and over ten since the city purchased the land, which was previously a cabbage patch for a nearby sauerkraut factory. The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations since its initial construction, including a $68 million expansion in 2006 that doubled the size of the terminal and a significant terminal modernization program announced in 2018.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Construction | 1939 |
| Year of Land Purchase | 1927 |
| Previous Land Use | Cabbage patch for a nearby sauerkraut factory |
| Year of First Commercial Aircraft | 1950s |
| Year of First Jet Passenger Flights | 1965 |
| Year of Major Redevelopment and Expansion | 2006 |
| Year of Terminal Modernization Program Announcement | 2018 |
| Year of South Terminal Expansion | 2021 |
| Year of International Airport Status Application | 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
Land purchased in 1927
In 1927, the City of Madison purchased 290 acres of land for $35,380. The land, which was previously a cabbage patch for a nearby sauerkraut factory, would later become the site of the present-day Dane County Regional Airport.
The airport's history can be traced back to the late 1920s when the City of Madison had the foresight to invest in this plot of land. At the time, the city was likely already considering the potential benefits of having an airport, as aviation was rapidly advancing and becoming an important mode of transportation. This purchase set the stage for the airport's development over the following decades.
In the years following the land purchase, Madison continued to develop its aviation infrastructure. In 1928, the city welcomed its first airplane manufacturing plant, the Corben Sport Plane Company. Corben designed and produced semi-built "Super Ace" kits, which included converted Ford Model A motors. Unfortunately, Corben left Madison in 1934 amid financial difficulties. Despite this setback, the city remained committed to its aviation endeavours.
It wasn't until 1936 that significant progress was made towards establishing an airport. In January of that year, the Madison city council voted to accept a Works Progress Administration (WPA) grant for the construction of four runways and an airplane hangar. This decision marked a pivotal moment in the development of the airport. With this grant, the city could finally transform the land purchased in 1927 into a functional airfield.
The construction of the airport took several years, and it was finally completed in 1939. The airport, known as Madison Municipal Airport at the time, opened its doors on March 9, 1939, with Morey as its first manager. Northwest Airlines, now known as Delta Air Lines, has served passengers in Dane County regularly since the opening of this first terminal.
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Construction began in 1936
Construction of the Dane County Regional Airport, also known as Truax Field, began in January 1936. The city council voted to accept a Works Progress Administration (WPA) grant for the construction of four runways and an aeroplane hangar. The airport was built on 290 acres of land that the City of Madison had purchased for $35,380 in 1927. The land, previously a cabbage patch for a nearby sauerkraut factory, would become the site of the new airport.
In 1934, Corben, who had set up Madison's first aeroplane manufacturing plant in 1928, left the city amid bankruptcy. In 1936, Wisconsin artist Cal Peters painted a Depression-era mural of his vision of what the Madison Municipal Airport would become. The mural, which depicted a terminal building along Highway 51 and two crosswind runways, was brought to life when construction began that year.
The airport was completed in 1939, and Northwest Airlines, now Delta Air Lines, has served passengers in Dane County regularly since then. The first US government-funded Civilian Pilot Training Program was opened by Howard Morey in 1939. In 1942, as World War II raged, the airport was activated as a US Army Air Corps airfield for technical, radio, and control training purposes.
The airfield was renamed Truax Field, in honour of Madisonian Lt. Thomas L. Truax, who died in a training flight shortly before the attack on Pearl Harbor. The US Army Air Corps expanded the airfield to 2,140 acres and rebuilt the four runways. Following World War II, the airfield was returned to the city under the Surplus Properties Act.
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Dane County Airport opened in 1939
Dane County Airport, also known as Truax Field, opened on March 9, 1939, after three years of construction and over ten since the City of Madison purchased the land. The airport was previously a 290-acre cabbage patch for a nearby sauerkraut factory.
In January 1936, the Madison city council voted to accept a Works Progress Administration (WPA) grant for the construction of four runways and an airplane hangar. The airport was completed on the east side of the airfield and opened with Morey as its manager. Northwest Airlines, now Delta Air Lines, has served passengers in Dane County regularly since the first terminal was built in 1939.
In 1939, Howard Morey also opened the first US government-funded Civilian Pilot Training Program. In 1942, the operation of the airfield was transferred to the US Army Air Corps for technical, radio, and control training purposes during World War II. Following the war, the airfield was returned to the city under the Surplus Properties Act.
The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years. In 1965, the airport welcomed its first jet passenger flights, and in 1966, a new terminal building was opened on the west side of the airfield, eight times larger than the original east side terminal. The airport tripled in size in 1986 with a $12 million expansion project, and in 2006, a $68 million expansion doubled the size of the terminal. Most recently, in 2021, the airport began construction on an $85 million South Terminal expansion.
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Expansion in the 1960s
Dane County Regional Airport, also known as Truax Field, was built in 1939 after three years of construction and over ten years since the City of Madison purchased the land. The airport was activated as a US Army Air Corps airfield in 1942 during World War II.
In 1962, the city of Madison completed a long-range master plan, which included a new terminal and taxiway system, paving the way for a grant from the Federal Aid to Airports Program. Jet passenger service from Madison commenced on May 23, 1965, with Northwest Orient Airlines operating a 727 aircraft. This event was attended by 2,500 people.
In December 1966, a new terminal building opened on the west side of the airfield, eight times larger than the original east side terminal. This modern 31,000-square-foot terminal cost $2.36 million to construct. By 1968, the US Air Force had completely phased out its presence at Truax Field, transferring 770 acres of land and numerous buildings to the city. This expansion allowed Dane County Regional Airport to accommodate the growing aviation demands of the region and enhance its operational capabilities.
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Redevelopment in 2006
Dane County Regional Airport, also known as Truax Field, is a civil-military airport located 6 miles from downtown Madison, Wisconsin. The airport was built in 1939, after three years of construction and over ten years since the city purchased the land.
In 2006, Dane County Regional Airport underwent a major redevelopment and expansion project to commemorate 50 years of jet service. The project cost $68 million and doubled the size of the terminal, adding seven new gates for a total of 13. The new terminal was designed by the Minneapolis-based Architectural Alliance in a style influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright. In addition to the new gates, the expansion included the addition of WiFi, an art court, business and family lounges, and more restaurant and retail options.
The airport has continued to expand and improve its facilities over the years, including through the addition of parking options and the modernisation of the terminal. In 2021, construction began on an $85 million expansion of the terminal, known as the South Terminal expansion, which added three additional gates.
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Frequently asked questions
Dane County Airport, also known as Truax Field, was built in 1939 after three years of construction and over ten years since the City of Madison purchased the land.
The land was previously a 290-acre cabbage patch for a nearby sauerkraut factory.
The airport became a County-owned airport on July 1, 1974, after the City Council backed a transfer to the County, which was approved by the County Board in June 1974.
Yes, Dane County Airport has undergone several developments since its construction. In 1966, a new 31,000 square foot terminal building was built, which was eight times larger than the original terminal. The airport also tripled in size in 1986, and in 2006, it underwent a $68 million expansion that doubled the size of the terminal.
