NOVEMBER 14, 2024|
Photo – Old building at Medicine Bow Airport – Bigfoot99 file photo
In the Town of Medicine Bow, the airport Board has requested that the town council save resources for the preservation of the town’s historic airfield.
In August, Colorado pilot Nathan Finneman addressed the Medicine Bow town council about the significance of the town’s airport, located roughly one mile southeast of town. Finneman explained that the Medicine Bow airport features the best-preserved airmail directional arrow and outbuildings in the western United States. The pilot urged the Medicine Bow town council to protect the historically important site while they still can.
The Medicine Bow airport, officially known as Site 32, was an important marker 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.
In September, Finneman and eight other pilots brought their small planes and paragliders to Medicine Bow to attend the Water Stop Jamboree.
Some of the pilots spent the night at the airport before taking off again in the morning. Since then, the same pilots have continued to use the airfield.
After hearing Finneman’s presentation, the council agreed to form a new Airport Advisory Board to oversee the restoration and preservation of the historic airfield. On October 15th, the town began accepting letters of interest from residents willing to serve on the airport board.
During Tuesday’s Medicine Bow town council meeting, Mayor Justin George announced that he received three letters of interest. However, the mayor is required to wait until November 15th before opening them.
Following that announcement, Public Works Director Brian Lashley, who is spearheading the formation of the airport board, asked the council how much they’re willing to commit, financially, to maintain the airfield.
Mayor George agreed that the airport is worth saving, saying that the airfield has the potential to draw tourists to the small town.
Clerk Treasurer Karen Heath informed the council that grants exist to restore the historic airport. However, the town will be entirely financially responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and operation of the airfield.
Mayor George instructed Public Works Director Lashley to consult with airports of a similar size and prepare an operational cost estimate for a future town council meeting. The council will decide on the town’s involvement with the airport after reviewing the estimate.
