July 17, 1947
The Inaugural Celebration commemorating the start of direct airline service to and from McMinnville by West Coast Airlines beginning today was held at the municipal airport runway. Ralph Wortman, in picture at left, plays chauffeur in steam powered Locomobile, vintage 1901, to Ben Evans as he delivered the first mail pouch to a WCA Scenic Liner. Evans started delivering mail to McMinnville in 1898 by horse from Grand Ronde. He retired in 1938. Postmaster Winifred Wisecarver stands at left as WCA First Officer Don Peters takes aboard the first mail pouch handed him by Evans.