Interesting history on the Clemenceau Airport, yes, that is the correct name

Nancy Smith, who was perhaps the most well known historian in the Verde Valley, according to her notes, the first airplane arrived here in 1917 and the first airport was the Garrison's airport in Bridgeport north of 89A. In the 1920's, the American Legion organization started talking to James Douglas about donating land for an airport. He had already donated 14 acres for an airport in Douglas, AZ.  Marcus Rawlins, a mechanic from Jerome, finally convinced Douglas since airplanes and barnstorming were becoming very popular.

On April 29, 1929, an informal opening was held at the present day site of the airport and incorporation took place on June 10. In 1931, William A. Clark III (known as Bill Clark in Clarkdale) decided to put his resources into the airport. He had dreamed of an international airport to serve primarily South America.

In March of 1932, the airport had two runways and was open 24 hours. On May 15, 1932, Jack Lynch, Clark's personal flight instructor and Bill Clark died in a plane crash while testing instrument flying. However, Copperclad Airways continued passenger and express service.

By 1940, Rawlins vacated the airport property and ended his 10 year lease.Clemenceau Mining Corp. transferred the deed to Yavapai County for 144 years to be called Clemenceau Airport and Rawlins remained as an airplane mechanic. The facility was used as a war training school until 1945. One week of snow in 1967 caused the hangar to cave in with 14 planes inside. In June of 1968 Cottonwood was asked to take it over.

Contributed by Cindy Emmett

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