1927 - The Keystone Airport was built by Verner D. Vale of Ebensburg, who bought a 300-acre tract from P.J. Little.
News reports predicted the facility would "become more and more a center of great interest in this vicinity."
1930 - The Depression-era federal Works Projects Administration expanded the airport.
1938 - The airport field was leased from the state by Lawrence J. Scanlan of Cresson, then commander of the Civil Air Patrol.
On May 19, the first air mail flight was made between Ebensburg and Johnstown, piloted by Joe Aroney.
1942 - Jeanne McCombie Wolf began flying at the Ebensburg Airport, later joining the Civil Air Patrol with her friends, Eleanor Lantzy and Nancy Krug. She later obtained her pilot’s license and was hired as a flight instructor at the airport in 1946, instructing many returning servicemen.
1947 - Ebensburg Borough Council voted to buy the airport for $1 from the Pennsylvania Aeronautics Authority, in a move that was described by officials as "an important step for community betterment."
1964 – 1981 - Dubbed "The McClure Years," in honor of airport managers Walter and Dorothy McClure, the airport experienced stability and growth, offering flight instruction, charter flights and community events.
The aviation couple was praised by Ebensburg Council President Donald Templeton:
"It is through the cooperative efforts of people such as you that the Borough of Ebensburg has been able to keep pace with these progressive times and the continuing demand for increased municipal services," he wrote.
Mr. McClure, a pilot and instructor who also did engine repair, died in 1983. Mrs. McClure, also a pilot, retired in 1990 and still lives in Ebensburg. (This from a Tribune-Democrat article 30 Sep 2002)
The McClure administration at the airport brought praise in 1967 from then – Mayor Frank Brosius and in 1969 from officials of the Cresson State School and Hospital, who thanked airport personnel for helping locate "Governor," a lost steer.
The animal had wandered away from the school grounds, officials said in a letter to the airport.
"As a result of the air search, the men were able to locate the steer at 2:45 p.m. on Friday, may 2, 1969, on the ridge overlooking Route 22," they wrote.
1973 - Field trips from Central Cambria High School’s aero-science
class were frequent.
On one, students observed a fire patrol helicopter, with a bucket for putting water on flames suspended from the helicopter with a cable.
Also in the 1970s, records show that Dorothy McClure flew Bureau of Forestry personnel to track a storm’s path in northern Cambria County.
1981 - Ebensburg Center, commonly called "the state school" wrote to thank the Warrior Flying Club for giving a tour and plane rides to residents.
1996 - Borough council formed an authority to manage and operate the airport, calling the facility "a hidden jewel."
1996 - The facility received a computerized fueling station that takes credit cards.
2000 - Amid bitter debate, borough council abolished the airport authority and voted to close the facility, saying it costs too much and benefits only a few nonresidents.
2001 - Airport supporters formed a nonprofit group, Regional Aviation Conservation & Recreation Association, to take over airport operations and expenses.
2007 - Another run at the airport by the city council for some reason or other?
RACRA TAKES OVER EBENSBURG
AIRPORT
In December 2007, Borough Council approved a lease of the Ebensburg Airport to the Regional Aviation Conservation & Recreation Association (RACRA), a local non-profit group of aviation enthusiasts. RACRA has been operating the airport since the beginning of 2008.
Under the terms of the lease, RACRA is responsible for all operational expenses of the airport and receives any income generated at the facility. The arrangement has alleviated the borough taxpayers of any expense at all for airport operations. RACRA will soon begin capital improvements at the airport, and will raise the local match required for any grants.
The lease to RACRA is a cost-effective method of maintaining the airport in Ebensburg, and is viewed by all as a “win-win” solution to the longstanding dilemma of what to do with the airport.
In December 2007, Borough Council approved a lease of the Ebensburg Airport to the Regional Aviation Conservation & Recreation Association (RACRA), a local non-profit group of aviation enthusiasts. RACRA has been operating the airport since the beginning of 2008.
Under the terms of the lease, RACRA is responsible for all operational expenses of the airport and receives any income generated at the facility. The arrangement has alleviated the borough taxpayers of any expense at all for airport operations. RACRA will soon begin capital improvements at the airport, and will raise the local match required for any grants.
The lease to RACRA is a cost-effective method of maintaining the airport in Ebensburg, and is viewed by all as a “win-win” solution to the longstanding dilemma of what to do with the airport.
2008 -