FEBRUARY 25, 2025|
Photo – Circa 1930 airmail building at Medicine Bow Airport – Courtesy Nathan James
The Medicine Bow Airport Board is seeking donations to fund a new electrical transformer at the historic airstrip.
Last August, aviation history enthusiast Nathan James addressed the Medicine Bow town council. James, who flies ultralight airplanes and paragliders in Colorado, informed the governing body that the local airport is an important historical site that needs to be saved.
From the 1920’s to the 1930’s, the United State Postal Service experimented with airmail services between New York and San Francisco. The pilots, flying repurposed World War One biplanes, would follow a series of concrete arrows installed on the ground to find their way to their destinations.
The Medicine Bow airport, officially known as Site 32, was an important location on the airmail route between Salt Lake City, Utah and Omaha, Nebraska and is listed on the National Park Service’s Register of Historic Places.
Important figures in aviation, including Charles Lindbergh, Elrey Jeppesen, who helped create the system of aerial maps used by today’s pilots, and Amelia Earhart, have visited the Medicine Bow Airport.
Speaking to the town council last August, James said the Medicine Bow Airport is unique because the majority of its airmail structures, including the concrete directional arrow, beacon tower and weather station, have survived to this day.
The governing body of Medicine Bow took James’s advice and created an Airport Board to oversee the restoration and preservation of the landing strip.
At the February 10th Medicine Bow town council meeting, Councilman Lee Cook explained that the Airport Board has garnered significant attention, both within Carbon County and beyond. Councilman Cook said the Airport Board is still determining how to save the historic airmail buildings.
At the previous town council meeting, Councilman Cook said he asked High Plains Power to donate a new electrical transformer to the airport. During the February 10th meeting, the council member said the electricity provider would not give the Airport Board a free transformer. Instead, High Plains Power is asked for $2,500 to restore electrical power to the site.
Councilman Cook said the Airport Board cannot afford to purchase the transformer itself. Without a tax-deductible 501(c)(3), the board is finding it difficult to attract donations.
Councilman Cook said the Airport Board is considering creating a Friends of the Medicine Bow Airport, similar to the organization that collects donations for the town’s museum.
Mayor Justin George asked for a list of the equipment needed to restore power at the Medicine Bow Airport. Councilman Cook said they need a transformer, an electrical line running to the weather station, and an electrical panel inside of the building.
Public Works Director Brian Lashley explained that the electrical pole at the site is actually located on the neighboring property. A member of the Airport Board, who is a certified electrician, has offered to determine exactly what is needed to restore power to the site.
Since High Plains Power has refused to donate the electrical transformer, Mayor George said he will contact Rocky Mountain Power and request their assistance instead. The mayor said Rocky Mountain Power has a laydown yard in the area and might be more willing to contribute to the airport.
In the meantime, Colorado pilot Nathan James is selling Medicine Bow Airport merchandise on his website, AIRMAIL AVIATOR – Home. A portion of all sales go toward the restoration of the historic airfield.
