 |
Airport History
CVRA is built upon years of hard
work and dedication. At one time, three airports operated in Eau
Claire. Today, as the largest airport in Northern Wisconsin,
CVRA provides air travel for counties across Northwestern
Wisconsin and Eastern Minnesota.
1923
Guy Wood, Leo McDonald and M.A. Sine organized the Eau Claire
Airplane Corporation and leased 80 acres on a bluff (Putnam
Heights, south of downtown and State Street).
1928
Ford Reliability Tours demonstrated several newly designed
aircraft to communities across Wisconsin. Eau Claire was a
stopping point during the tour.
1929
J.R. Davis, E.R. Hamilton and John Simpson organized Eau Claire
Airways, a full-service operation, with a flight school and taxi
service to the Twin Cities, La Crosse, Wausau, Madison and
Milwaukee.
1937
The State of Wisconsin first enacted legislation to regulate
aeronautics.
1939
Efforts started to build a new airport on Eau Clairešs north
side (the site of the current airport).
1940
Eau Claire County Airport opened at its present site. At the
time, it consisted of a simple runway, surrounded by farmland
and wooded area.
1945
Eau Claire Municipal Airport announced its formal opening on
July 29, 1945 with an afternoon air show. The airport opened
with limited operations and two 4,000-foot long runways still
under construction.
1946
Original facilities were constructed at our current location.
Initially, the airport consisted of runway 4/22, 4,300 feet in
length, and runway 14/32, 4,100 feet in length. Taxiways were
provided to the ends of 22 and 32, and a terminal complex was
erected consisting of an aircraft parking apron, a Quonset-style
building and two aircraft hangars.
1947
The new airport was officially dedicated with a ceremony
featuring Northwest Airlines DC-3 aircraft.
1950šs
A second paved aircraft apron, an
entrance road, T-hangar and approach zone property were added.
1960šs
The terminal area was improved to accommodate increasing
passenger service for Chippewa, Dunn and Eau Claire Counties.
1979
Eau Claire County acquired ownership of Eau Claire Municipal
Airport from the City of Eau Claire.
1981
New terminal addition.
1992
Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors created the Chippewa
Valley Regional Airport Commission.
1999
Ownership and Operation Agreement (five-year) was entered into
and executed by County Board Chairs of Chippewa, Dunn and Eau
Claire Counties.
|
|
 |
