Ruth Haines
The Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, formerly known as Medford Municipal Airport, was established in 1920 as the first airfield in Medford, Oregon. The airport has undergone several transformations since its inception, including a change in location in 1929 to accommodate the growing popularity of aviation, and renovations in the 1950s and 2000s to update its facilities. Today, the airport continues to post favourable passenger statistics, with a high volume of aircraft operations and a diverse range of airlines serving the airport.
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What You'll Learn
- The first airfield in Medford, Oregon, was built in 1920
- Medford Municipal Airport construction began in the 1920s
- The airport was renamed Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport
- The airport's expansion and renovation were completed in 2009
- There is another Medford Municipal Airport in Grant County, Oklahoma
The first airfield in Medford, Oregon, was built in 1920
The airfield initially served as a base for the U.S. Army Air Service and the U.S. Forest Service to conduct forest fire patrols in Southern Oregon and Northern California. However, as aviation became more popular, and the use of air mail and commercial air transport increased, the city recognised the need for a new, expandable airport. The limitations of the Barber Field became apparent—constrained by Bear Creek on one side and Highway 99 on the other, there was little room for growth.
Thus, in 1929, Medford proposed a bond to voters to fund a new airport, which passed with 2248 votes in favour and only 182 against. Construction of the Medford Municipal Airport soon commenced, including a new administration building, an attached hangar, and a 3,600-foot gravel runway. During the Great Depression, the Civil Works Administration provided employment to local men in need by hiring them to work on the airport's construction.
Over the years, Medford's airport has undergone several transformations and expansions. In 1953, a new facility was constructed to accommodate the evolving needs of air travel and scientific advancements. This new airport included a terminal for commercial travel, a waiting room, ticket counters, a modern control tower, and a U.S. Weather Bureau facility. Today, known as the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, it continues to post favourable passenger statistics, serving over a million arriving and departing passengers in 2019.
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Medford Municipal Airport construction began in the 1920s
The City of Medford established an airfield in 1920, known as Newell Barber Field, located at the southern edge of Medford. It was the first airfield in Oregon and was initially used by the U.S. Army Air Service and the U.S. Forest Service to operate forest fire patrols in Southern Oregon and Northern California.
As aviation became more popular, the city realised that a new airport location was necessary. The existing airfield, Newell Barber Field, was limited by Bear Creek on one side and Highway 99 on the other, preventing any expansion. As a result, the city proposed a new location for an airport that would allow for future growth.
In 1929, Medford presented voters with a bond proposal to fund the construction of a new airport, which was approved by a significant margin of 2248 votes in favour to just 182 against. This approval paved the way for the construction of the Medford Municipal Airport, which began soon after.
The construction of Medford Municipal Airport in the 1920s included an administration building with an attached hangar and a 3,600-foot gravel runway. During the Great Depression, the Civil Works Administration provided employment to local men in need by hiring them to work on the airport's construction. This airport construction project provided a valuable source of jobs during a challenging economic period.
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The airport was renamed Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport
In 1920, the City of Medford established an airfield, known as Newell Barber Field, located at the southern edge of Medford. It was not only the first airfield in the area but also the first in Oregon. Initially, the airfield was used by the U.S. Army Air Service and the U.S. Forest Service to operate forest fire patrols in Southern Oregon and Northern California.
With the growing popularity of general aviation, air mail, and commercial air transport, the City of Medford realized that a new airport location was necessary. Expansion of Newell Barber Field was limited by Bear Creek on one side and Highway 99 on the other. The patch of land where the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport is located today was selected. In 1929, Medford submitted a bond proposal to pay for a new airport to the voters, which won 2248 votes in favour to 182 against.
Shortly after, construction of the Medford Municipal Airport began. Construction included a new administration building with an attached hangar and a 3,600-foot gravel runway. The airport was renamed Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport. During the Great Depression, the Civil Works Administration hired local men in need of employment to work on airport construction. After 20 years, the old administration building had become insufficient for the airport's needs, and in 1953, a new facility was constructed.
Signaling a change in air travel and scientific advancements, the new Medford Municipal Airport included a terminal for commercial travel, a waiting room, ticket counters for commercial airlines, a state-of-the-art control tower, and a U.S. Weather Bureau facility. In January 1971, voters approved the transfer of ownership of the airport and all real property to Jackson County, and the airport became known as the Medford-Jackson County Airport. The airport has undergone several renovations since, including a new terminal building and control tower completed in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
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The airport's expansion and renovation were completed in 2009
The history of Medford Airport, now known as Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, dates back to 1920 when the City of Medford established an airfield called Newell Barber Field. This airfield was the first in Oregon and was used by the U.S. Army Air Service and the U.S. Forest Service for forest fire patrols. As aviation grew in popularity, Medford recognised the need for a new airport with room for expansion. A bond proposal to fund this was approved by voters in 1929, leading to the construction of Medford Municipal Airport.
Over time, Medford Municipal Airport underwent several changes to accommodate the evolving needs of air travel. In 1953, a new facility was constructed, featuring a terminal for commercial travel, a waiting room, ticket counters, a modern control tower, and a U.S. Weather Bureau facility. This marked a significant step forward in the airport's capabilities and passenger amenities.
In January 1971, voters approved the transfer of ownership of the airport to Jackson County, resulting in a name change to Medford-Jackson County Airport. This transfer reflected the growing importance of the airport to the region.
However, the most significant expansion and renovation project in the airport's history was completed in 2009. This project transformed the airport and enhanced its capacity to serve a growing number of passengers and aircraft operations. The renovations included a substantial new terminal building, spanning 110,000 square feet, with room for future expansion. This new terminal offered a range of improved facilities, including an observation deck, a restaurant accessible to both screened and unscreened passengers, and second-story loading bridges. With the completion of the terminal, the airport now boasts a main concourse and two open-air concourses, improving passenger flow and comfort.
Additionally, a new control tower was constructed in 2008, utilising a geothermal system for heating and cooling. This tower, standing at 100 feet tall, represented a $3.6 million investment in the airport's infrastructure. The expansion and renovation project also included enhancements to general aviation services, with two fixed-base operators providing support on the field.
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There is another Medford Municipal Airport in Grant County, Oklahoma
The Medford Municipal Airport in Medford, Oregon, was established in 1920 as an airfield known as Newell Barber Field. It was the first airfield in Oregon. In 1929, the city proposed a bond to pay for a new airport, which was approved by voters, and construction of the Medford Municipal Airport began shortly thereafter. Over the years, the airport underwent several expansions and renovations to accommodate the growing aviation industry. In 1953, a new facility was constructed to cater to the changing needs of air travel and scientific advancements. The airport was then renamed the Medford-Jackson County Airport in January 1971 after the transfer of ownership to Jackson County was approved by voters. The Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, as it is known today, continues to post favourable passenger statistics and has seen numerous improvements, including a new terminal building, concourses, and a control tower.
Interestingly, there is another Medford Municipal Airport in Grant County, Oklahoma. This airport is located one nautical mile (2 km) southwest of the central business district of Medford, Oklahoma. It is a city-owned, public-use airport that covers 127 acres (51 ha) of land and sits at an elevation of 1,092 feet (333 m) above mean sea level. The runway at this Medford Municipal Airport is designated 17/35 and has an asphalt surface measuring 3,007 by 60 feet (917 x 18 m). For the 12-month period ending February 17, 2009, the airport recorded 1,000 general aviation aircraft operations, averaging 83 per month. At that time, there were 14 aircraft based at the airport, all of which were single-engine. The Medford, Oklahoma airport offers various amenities, including parking on the apron and a courtesy car for visitors. Monthly rental rates for covered parking are also available for those seeking a place to stow their plane.
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Frequently asked questions
The Medford Airport, now known as Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport, was established in 1920 as an airfield called Newell Barber Field.
Before it was called Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport, the Medford Airport was known as Medford Municipal Airport.
The Medford Airport has a terminal building that was completed in 2009, with an observation deck and a restaurant for passengers. It also has a new control tower that was finished in 2008, which uses a geothermal system to heat and cool the building.
Airlines that fly from the Medford Airport include Alaska Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, Delta Connection, and Allegiant Air.
