Since its humble beginnings in 1935, the Waukesha County Airport/Crites Field has evolved into a state-of-the-art facility meeting the unique aviation needs of both enthusiasts and area businesses, while greatly contributing to the local economy.
- 1930 - Jack Miller and Warren S. O’Brien conceive Waukesha Aeronautical. A year later, it evolves, becoming the Waukesha Aviation Club with a goal of finding a way to provide an airport for the City of Waukesha.
- 1933 - the Waukesha County Board votes unanimously to fund construction of the Waukesha County Airport/Crites Field.
- August 18, 1935 - The Waukesha County Airport/Crites Field opens. The dedication draws more than 6,000 attendees, each paying 25 cents to attend.
- 1940 - The airport conducts its first parachute school.
- 1948-1948 - Runway lights are added, allowing for night flights in Waukesha.
- 1980 - the Waukesha County Board unanimously votes to rename the airport the Waukesha County Airport/Crites Field, honoring Dale and Dean Crites, who helped shape and build the airport.
- 1992 - The Waukesha County Board establishes the Airport Commission to oversee issues affecting the airport and to set policy.
- October 1993 - The airport is annexed into the City of Waukesha, securing full-time fire and emergency protection for the airport, sewer availability and more appropriate building construction standards.
- 1997 - A new 11,150 square foot terminal building is constructed.
- 2006 – the airport reconstructs Runway 18/36, using a $3 million grant awarded from the 2005 Federal Aviation Administration reauthorized bill. The airport is commended for using fly ash from coal power plants in construction of the runway base course, saving the county more than $50,000 in construction costs.
- 2010 - the Waukesha County Airport/Crites Field received nearly $740,000 in state and federal funds to construct new vehicle access gates, increasing security for the airport.
- 2015 – the Waukesha County Airport/Crites Field completed several capital improvement projects, including a complete overhaul of Runway 10/28 and the renovation of the Terminal and Air Traffic Control Tower. These projects were vital to sustaining the highest quality services to our tenants and the community, ensuring aviation safety and setting the stage of additional development of the airport on behalf of taxpayers.
- 2017 - The South and West Terminal Ramps were expanded allowing several airfield services companies to construct new hangars and increase services available at the airport.
- 2022 - A perimeter road was constructed connecting all hangar areas allowing vehicles to drive between areas inside the gate without having to use the taxiways and runways. This was an important safety project that provides convenience for all airfield drivers.
- 2024 - The airport began the required Master Plan process and expects to publish the results of this study in July of 2025.
- 2025 - The long planned Runway Safety Area Improvement Project is finally underway. Phase 1 relocating Silvernail Road is expected to be completed in the fall of 2025. The second phase of the project to shift Runway 10/28 and improve the surrounding safety areas is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2026. Please monitor the Airport Construction page for updates.
