Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame

Declaration of Enshrinement

 October 14, 2011

Photo courtesy United Airlines Creative Services and the United Airlines Historical Foundation

Walter T. Varney

In 1925 Congress passed the Contract Air Mail Act establishing airmail routes available for bid by private operators.  Walter T. Varney selected a course of no interest to other potential bidders. In October of that year, Varney contracted to carry mail from Pasco, Washington to Elko, Nevada. In 1926, he founded Varney Air Lines in Boise, Idaho. On April 26, 1926, the first commercial airmail flight in the United States departed from Boise, Idaho to fly to Elko, Nevada.

 For his role in the development of commercial airmail service to Nevada, Varney earned his place in the Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame.

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TD BARNES, Executive Director

Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame