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50-716: Willows-Glenn County Airport dates to October 1928 when the Airways Division of the U.S. Department of Commerce selected a location west of Willows as an Intermediate Landing Field. The County of Glenn purchased an 80-acre tract of land for approximately $ 2000 and the City of Willows purchased the adjoining 80-acre tract of land for $ 2092.80. The land was leased to the Commerce Department Airways Division, which put up an additional $ 8000 for construction and equipment. Willows-Glenn County Airport

100-485: A certificate of airworthiness from the Post Office, and that each company needed to post at least ten thousand dollars in good faith bonds. United States legislation authorizing aerial navigation and contract services for the transportation of United States air mail. Butte County, California Butte County ( / ˈ b j uː t / ) is a county located in the northern central part of

150-408: A bidding period for small airmail routes, setting rates and subsidies contractors would receive for flying mail. The first contracts were awarded to Colonial Air Transport , National Air Transport , Robertson Aircraft Corporation , Western Air Express and Varney Air Lines . Contractors were paid $ 3.00 per pound of mail for the first 1,000 miles traveled. Due to the surplus aircraft available after

200-692: A department of the County of Butte, governed by the Butte County Board of Supervisors . Butte Regional Transit or the B-Line, provides service in and between Chico, Oroville, Paradise, Gridley and Biggs. Chico is also a connection point for Glenn Ride buses to Glenn County and Plumas Transit Systems buses to Plumas County . Greyhound and FlixBus buses stop in Chico. Amtrak 's Coast Starlight ( Los Angeles - Seattle ) passenger train makes

250-564: A half dozen of these plants are located in the county, one of which, serves the Oroville Dam . The 2010 United States Census reported that Butte County had a population of 220,000. The racial makeup of Butte County was 180,096 (81.9%) White, 3,415 (1.6%) African American, 4,395 (2.0%) Native American, 9,057 (4.1%) Asian, 452 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 12,141 (5.5%) from other races, and 10,444 (4.7%) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 31,116 persons (14.1%). As of

300-445: A lease (numbers W 868-ENG-2344 and W2972-ENG-1045) with Glenn County, California, in 1942. The site was used as an auxiliary airfield for Chico Army Airfield . The only improvement to the site was the asphalt runway. The Fourth Air Force declared the field excess to its needs on July 24, 1944. The lease was terminated June 11, 1945. MENDOCINO AIR TANKER SQUAD In 1956, through the efforts of Forest Service Officer Joseph Bolles Ely ,

350-468: A major wildfire, the Camp Fire , destroyed most of the town of Paradise , the adjacent community of Concow , and a large area of rural, hilly country east of Chico. More than 80 people were killed, 50,000 were displaced, over 150,000 acres were burned, and nearly 20,000 buildings were destroyed. The Camp Fire was California's most destructive and deadliest fire. According to the U.S. Census Bureau ,

400-666: A second runway was built by the Army Air Forces in 1941 in preparation for taking over the airport as an auxiliary airfield during World War II.  In October 1941, the Sacramento construction firm, A. Tiechert & Sons Inc., was awarded a $ 140,000 contract by the Army to build the new runway. WORLD WAR II During the final days of March 1942, the North American B-25 Mitchell bombers assigned to

450-538: A squadron under the command of Lt. Col. James Doolittle were undergoing final preparations at the Sacramento Air Depot (SAD) located at McClellan Field in Sacramento . Alterations to the bomber's carburetors had been made to enable the planes to fly the long distance required for the mission. Due to the highly secretive nature of this mission, the mechanics at SAD were not aware of that and changed

500-479: A stop daily in each direction in Chico's Chico station . General Aviation airports in Butte County include: In August 1851, the county was divided into six judicial (civil) townships , the four marked by asterisks below, plus Quartz and Mineral, which were separated from Butte County with the formation of Plumas County in 1854. Between 1851 and 1861, there were several additions and other realignments of

550-479: A threaded knob allowed him to measure precise amounts of fertilizer and seed that dropped from the hopper into a box. The wash from the propeller spread the product over a 50-foot swath. Nolta's method vastly improved rice propagation, leading to an entire industry of ag (agriculture) pilots seeding and fertilizing rice and other crops throughout the North Sacramento Valley . Nolta's method allowed

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600-470: A two-foot in diameter mirror producing 1,000,000 candlepower of light, capable of being seen for fifteen to forty miles. The Willows Airport beacon and field lights were powered by electricity from Pacific Gas & Electric Company . The original rotating beacon at the Willows Airport was 24 inches in diameter and flashed a single clear light every six seconds. In addition to the beacon, the tower

650-527: Is 4,125 by 100 feet (1,257 x 30 m) and 13/31 is 3,788 by 60 feet (1,155 x 18 m). For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2021, the airport had 29,500 general aviation aircraft operations, an average of 81 per day. At that time there were 39 aircraft based at this airport: 36 single- engine , 1 multi-engine, 1 jet , and 1 helicopter . [REDACTED]  This article incorporates public domain material from National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (PDF) . United States Department of

700-766: Is headquartered in Oroville . The Berry Creek Rancheria operates Gold Country Casino . The Mooretown Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California is also headquartered in Oroville. The Mooretown Rancheria operates Feather Falls Casino . The governmental headquarters of the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria is located in Chico . Butte County is split between the 1st and 3rd Assembly districts, represented by Republican Megan Dahle and Republican James Gallagher , respectively. The county

750-521: Is in the 4th Senate District , represented by Republican Marie Alvarado-Gil . According to the California Secretary of State , as of February 10, 2019, Butte County has 172,054 registered voters. Of those, 42,093 (34.4%) are registered Democrats , 41,330 (33.8%) are registered Republicans and 30,377 (24.8%) have declined to state a political party. On November 4, 2008, Butte County voted 56.7% for Proposition 8 which amended

800-544: The Butte County Superior Court ; operates the county jail system; and provides services such as laboratories and academy training to smaller law enforcement agencies within the county. The first sheriff of Butte County was Joseph Q. Wilbur. Kory Honea has been the sheriff since 2014. The citizens of the county of Butte are represented by the five member Butte County Board of Supervisors . The Berry Creek Rancheria of Tyme Maidu Indians of California

850-585: The Doolittle Raid , he said, "We put the planes in the depot there at Sacramento to get a recheck, get them all set to go aboard the carrier, and as one plane would come out of that sort of interim overhaul period there, I’d take it up with the crew to Willows, California, to a field there and give them take-offs at Willows. Then, the last day, Jimmy Doolittle said, “Well we’ll finish up at Willows then we’re going to fly down to Alameda and go aboard.” The War Department acquired 318.2 acres (128.8 ha) by

900-540: The First World War , particularly de Havilland DH-4s , the act bolstered a nascent aviation industry in the United States. By 1927, over 2.5 million miles were traveled by US Airmail Service planes, carrying over 22 million letters. Further regulation ensued quite rapidly, such as those issued by second assistant postmaster general Col. Paul Henderson, which required pilots and their aircraft to receive

950-550: The California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages. Butte County is in California's 1st congressional district , represented by Republican Doug LaMalfa . Butte is a bellwether county in presidential elections, and one of only thirteen to have voted for Barack Obama in 2008 , Mitt Romney in 2012 , Donald Trump in 2016 , and Joe Biden in 2020 . There are roughly 90 public schools in

1000-772: The Interior . Contract Air Mail Route The Air Mail Act of 1925 , also known as the Kelly Act , was a key piece of legislation that intended to free the airmail from total control by the Post Office Department . In short, it allowed the Postmaster General to contract private companies to carry mail. The Act was sponsored by Pennsylvania representative Clyde Kelly , and became legislation in February that year. The act created

1050-507: The Sacramento. The county is home to California State University, Chico and Butte College . Butte County is named for the visually striking +2,000-foot (610 m) Sutter Buttes in neighboring Sutter County . Butte County was incorporated as one of California's 27 original counties on February 18, 1850. The county went across the present limits of the Tehama , Plumas , Colusa , and Sutter Counties. Between November 8 and 25, 2018,

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1100-658: The U.S. state of California . In the 2020 census , its population was 211,632. The county seat is Oroville . Butte County comprises the Chico , California, metropolitan statistical area . It is in the California Central Valley , north of the state capital of Sacramento . Butte County is drained by the Feather River and the Sacramento River . Butte Creek and Big Chico Creek are additional perennial streams, both tributary to

1150-695: The Willows Airport became the base of operations for the Mendocino Air Tanker Squad (MATS), the first squadron of air tankers in the U.S. Local agricultural pilots made up the initial squadron which assisted on fires throughout California during 1956.   Willows Airport became the de facto center of aerial firefighting. In 1980, Carl Wilson, assistant director of the Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experimentation Station in Riverside, wrote, "In October 1956, after

1200-582: The Willows Flying Service, which operated from the first hangar built at the airport. They were soon joined by other agricultural flying services. With extensive use by agricultural and other types of aviation, Willows Airport was able to thrive, even during the depths of the Great Depression. It became the busiest airport in northern California, other than those with passenger service. Air shows became annual events and were some of

1250-421: The age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.02. In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.0% under

1300-461: The age of 18, 13.6% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 31,924, and the median income for a family was $ 41,010. Males had a median income of $ 34,137 versus $ 25,393 for females. The per capita income for

1350-400: The airport from the federal government. Later in that decade the ownership of the airport was turned over to Glenn County. As an Intermediate Landing Field, use of the airport was limited to emergency landings. After the service clubs took over in 1932, the airport was open to all aviation uses. The airport was officially dedicated on September 9, 1933. The first decade of the Willows Airport

1400-513: The carburetor settings back to the factory recommendations.[1]  Lt. Col. Doolittle ordered the settings to be redone and wanted an additional test of the planes.  It was impossible to conduct the short-field takeoff maneuvers at McClellan Field in front of hundreds of workers, so arrangements were made to use the Willows Airport. During World War I, Jimmy Doolittle was an Army flying instructor at Rockwell Field in Coronado . Floyd Nolta

1450-679: The census of 2000, there were 203,171 people, 79,566 households, and 49,410 families residing in the county. The population density was 124 people per square mile (48 people/km ). There were 85,523 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (20/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 84.5% White , 10.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino , 3.3% Asian , 1.9% Native American , 1.4% Black or African American , 0.2% Pacific Islander , 4.8% from other races , and 3.9% from two or more races. 87.9% spoke English, 7.8% Spanish and 1.4% Hmong as their first language. There were 79,566 households, out of which 28.4% had children under

1500-797: The county according to the National Center for Educational Statistics. The schools are operated by the County Office of Education and 15 school districts, which are: Butte County Library provides library services to residents of the County through six branches in Biggs , Chico , Durham , Gridley , Oroville and Paradise . The mission of the Butte County Library is to provide all individuals, regardless of age, ethnic background, educational or economic level, with free access to ideas, information, and technology. For many years,

1550-565: The county has a total area of 1,677 square miles (4,340 km ), of which 41 square miles (110 km ) (2.4%) are covered by water. The county is drained by the Feather River and Butte Creek . Part of the county's western border is formed by the Sacramento River. The county lies along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada , the steep slopes making it prime territory for the siting of hydroelectric power plants. About

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1600-564: The county was $ 17,517. About 12.2% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.8% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over. There are four major hospitals and the State of California defines Butte County as being inside Health Service Area 1. A special district, the Butte County Air Quality Management District, regulates airborne pollutant emissions in

1650-448: The county. It does this following regional regulations, state, and federal laws. For example, in recent years, the agency changed rules that once allowed residents to burn household trash outdoors. The following table includes the number of incidents reported and the rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense. The Butte County Sheriff's Office provides general-service law enforcement to unincorporated areas of Butte County, serving as

1700-676: The edge of the runway and green lights at opposite ends of the runway to aid pilots in a nighttime landing.   Willows Airport was described in the 1931 DOC Airways Guide:   "Willows—Department of Commerce Intermediate Landing Field site 12 San Francisco to Seattle Airway. One and one-half miles W. Altitude. 140 feet. Irregular shape, 85 acres, 2,781 by 2500 feet, sod, level, natural drainage. Directional arrow marked “12 SF-S.” Pole line to N. Beacon, boundary, approach and obstruction lights. Beacon 24-inch rotating, with green course lights flashing characteristic “2” (. . -). No servicing facilities." The Willows Airport tower, completed in late 1928,

1750-401: The equivalent of the county police for unincorporated areas of the county as well as incorporated cities within the county who have contracted with the agency for law-enforcement services (known as " contract cities " in local jargon). It also holds primary jurisdiction over facilities operated by Butte County, such as local parks, marinas and government buildings; provides marshal service for

1800-450: The field to be flooded before the seed was dropped, preventing any loss to birds. It also allowed a field to be planted much more quickly and economically than the previous labor-intensive method. By 1937, there were 130,000 acres of rice under cultivation. Modern ag pilots still use the same device perfected by Nolta in 1928. In addition to remaining as the airport manager, Nolta, along with his brothers, Vance Nolta and Dale Nolta, established

1850-566: The fleet. The U.S. Forest Service continued to base their regional operations at Willows Airport until 1982. Larger aircraft required a longer runway, so operations were moved to Chico Municipal Airport ( Butte County ). On October 6, 2023 the airport was listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Willows-Glenn County Airport covers an area of 320 acres (129 ha ) at an elevation of 141 feet (43 m) above mean sea level . It has two asphalt paved runways : 16/34

1900-656: The largest held in northern California.   Willows Airport was a beneficiary of the Roosevelt Administration's investments in public works. In 1934, the airport received $ 5,000 in funds from the short-lived Civil Works Administration (CWA) to build a hangar.  In 1935, Willows Airport was among 250 airports to receive funds from the Public Works Administration (PWA) with the $ 10,819 going towards hangar and runway improvements.   An additional 125 acres were added in 1940, and

1950-799: The library served rural and mountain communities through regularly scheduled bookmobile visits; however, due to budget cuts, this service was discontinued in 2009 and the bookmobile was sold. The library serves low-literacy adults through several programs of the Butte County Library Literacy Services division, including the Adult Reading Program, Families for Literacy and the Literacy Coach, a 36-foot (11 m) vehicle that provides mobile programming like story times, parent meetings, workshops, and computer and teacher trainings. The library operates as

2000-528: The spectacular success on 25 wildfires, a series of drop tests were conducted at the Willows Airport. The primary objective was to determine the best height and air speed for the Stearmans and N3Ns (Air Force and Navy planes, respectively) to fly to obtain optimum patterns of water and sodium calcium borate on a geometric grid on the surface of the airport. Also, it was necessary to determine the effect of wind and other meteorological variables on drop patterns. As

2050-656: The township boundaries; from 1861, the townships were: Townships created and dissolved between 1851 and 1861 were Benton, Eureka, and Cascade. The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Butte County. † county seat Several movies have been filmed in Butte County , including Gone with the Wind , The Outlaw Josey Wales , Friendly Persuasion , Magic Town , The Klansman , Ruby Ridge: An American Tragedy , The Adventures of Robin Hood , and Under Wraps . A 2013 episode of

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2100-510: Was a mechanic in the same unit, and he and Doolittle became lifelong friends and bird hunting companions in the Willows area. Lt. Henry L. Miller USN was the naval officer assigned to teach the Army Air Forces pilots how to conduct short take-off procedures. In 1971, Rear Admiral Miller USN (Retired) gave an oral history about his long career in the Navy. In his recollection of his time assigned to

2150-443: Was also equipped with green course lights. Willows is located about 120 miles north of San Francisco, putting it in the second 100-mile section between San Francisco and Redding so it was assigned the designation “2.” Accordingly, the course lights at Willows flashed “U” (dot, dot, dash) representing “2.” As an Intermediate Landing Field, the Willows Airport was also equipped with 15-watt clear bulbs fixtures placed every 300 feet along

2200-717: Was closely connected to Floyd H. Nolta , a local civic leader, businessman, and pilot. He was selected by the Aeronautics Bureau as the manager of the airport. He served as the President of the Achaean Association and was Glenn County's first Flying Officer.   In 1928, Nolta perfected a method to drop rice seed and fertilizer from an airplane. The cultivation of rice in the Sacramento Valley began in 1908 near Biggs ( Butte County ) when it

2250-463: Was completed by January 10, 1929. There is no known record of when the concrete arrow and shed were removed. The beacon tower remains in its original location and is still used to the airport's rotating beacon. It is the only 51-foot Contracted Air Mail Route tower still in use in California at its original airport.   Illumination at the Willows Airport was provided by a 1000-watt lightbulb and

2300-424: Was determined that a Japanese variety of medium-grain rice would do well in the region. Cultivating rice was very labor-intensive, requiring the field to be prepared and then rice seed and dry fertilizer spread by tractor or animal-drawn farm implements. The field was flooded, hopefully before migratory birds ate the rice seed.   Nolta mounted a hopper in the cockpit of his Jenny JN-4 biplane. A sliding valve with

2350-613: Was manufactured by the International Derrick and Equipment Company (IDECO) of Columbus, Ohio. The growing interest in aviation in the late 1920s prompted Glenn County citizens to embrace the idea of the U.S. Department of Commerce funding an airport in Willows. It was with a great deal of pride that they dedicated their airport with a two-day celebration in June 1929.   From the outset, the Aeronautics Branch

2400-626: Was part of the San Francisco to Redding section of the Los Angeles-Seattle Contract Air Mail Route 8 (CAM-8). As the twelfth beacon north of San Francisco/Oakland it was designated as Beacon #12, “12 SF-S Willows DOCILF.” As an Intermediate Landing Field, the airport originally consisted only of this 51-foot steel tower, with an adjacent shed and concrete directional arrow, a primitive north–south grass runway, and field lighting. The airport lighting

2450-650: Was the case in most other air attack studies, this was an interagency operation involving the California Division of Forestry ( CalFire ), Los Angeles County Fire Department , U. S. Forest Service (R-5), Equipment Development Center at Arcadia, Forest Service Experiment Station, and private industry." The success of the squad in 1956 led to adding additional pilots in 1957 and then the California Division of Forestry ( CalFire ) to contract their own squad although many pilots flew for both agencies. Larger aircraft, mostly World War 2 surplus bombers, were added to

2500-559: Was unhappy with the Willows Airport runway because it was subject to flooding during the winter, prompting the DOC to threaten to move the airport elsewhere. Not wanting to lose their airport, Glenn County citizens held fundraisers, including a local production of Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado , to improve the runway. Concern also prompted the Achaean Club of Willows and the local American Legion post to raise enough funds to purchase

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