History – L.M. Clayton Airport, Wolf Point, Montana

During the depression years, the Roosevelt Co. Flying Club was organized under the guidance of George “Dewey” Lowers. This club established the Wolf Point Airport and the building of the first hanger. WPA funds were used with assistance from local citizens and the City-County Airport Board. In 1952, Lyman Clayton, Jr., once a student of Dewey Lowers, first offered the area charter service. In 1957, he joined a Northeastern Montana flying pioneer, Hub Ames of Scobey, in enlarging this service to include certified air ambulance and taxi service. Mr. Clayton was actively involved in the operations of the airport. He served for many years on the Wolf Point-Roosevelt County Airport Board. In 1989, the Wolf Point International Airport was renamed to L.M. Clayton Airport in honor of Mr. Lyman Clayton, Jr. He also served as the Mayor of the City of Wolf Point from 1958-1961 and owned and operated the local mortuary.

The credit for being Roosevelt County’s number one pilot must go to George “Dewey” Lowers.  Dewey got his first plane ride in Williston, North Dakota in 1919 for $15.00 and he had the flying bug from then on.  Mr. Lowers returned to Wolf Point in 1934 as a County Surveyor, and, of course, was also busy teaching flying.   Though it was in the depths of the depression, the Roosevelt County Flying Club was organized under his guidance.  This club established the Wolf Point Airport and building the first hanger.  WPA funds were used with assistance from local citizens and the City-County Airport Board.  Later the City of Wolf Point voted a bond issue to blacktop the runway.

In 1952, Lyman Clayton, Jr., once a student of Dewey Lowers, first offered the area charter service in a 4-place Stinson Station Wagon.  In 1957, he joined a Northeastern Montana flying pioneer, Hub Ames of Scobey, in enlarging this service to include certified air ambulance and taxi service.  Mr. Clayton was actively involved in the operations of the airport.  He served for many years on the Wolf Point-Roosevelt County Airport Board.  In 1989, the Wolf Point International Airport was renamed to the L.M. Clayton Airport in honor of Mr. Lyman Clayton, Jr.  Mr. Clayton also served as Mayor of the City of Wolf Point from 1958-1961.

Scheduled air service was provided to Wolf Point by Frontier Airlines beginning in 1955 and continued for many years.  Today CapeAir Airlines serves Wolf Point, Glasgow, Havre, Glendive and Sidney as a part of the Essential Air Service program.

Many improvements have been made to the Airport in recent years.  With the FAA providing 95% of the funding, improvements have included the installation of a wildlife fence, security gate, runway lights, fire fighting equipment and storage building.  The Transportation Safety Administration has provided funds for the expansion of the terminal building for additional security measures.  In 2018, a new hangar was built to provide a source of revenue for the airport.  Currently CapeAir is occupying the hangar space.  Future plans are to construct another hangar on the airport.