1940's

1940 – CAC finances $300k bond and City increases tax rate to buy 483 acres north of San José, the Crocker Estate.

1941 – World War II delays start of airport development.

1944 - Ernie Renzel, Jr. is elected to the San José City Council and serves one year as "President of the Council" (also known today as the Mayor).

1945 – Jim Nissen leases 16 acres of SJC land for a small aviation business, “California Aviation Activities,” and builds first dirt runway. General aviation is the only function of the airport.

1946 – City approves development of the San José Municipal Airport and applies for federal aid to build the airport. The city authorized Southwest Airways to stop in San José on flights between San Francisco and Los Angeles for certain size aircraft. Jim Nissen sells his share of “California Aviation Airlines” and becomes the first Airport Manager.

1947 – City is tentatively allocated over $100,000 in federal funds to begin construction on airport.

1948 – Construction on first permanent runaway through a federal airport grant.

1949 – Dedication ceremonies of the San José Municipal Airport were held after ten years of airport development efforts. First commercial airline flight lands at SJC. Southwest Airways DC - 3 with two pilots, seven passengers and 2,550 baby chickens. Only the chickens got off at San José; the human passengers continued to Los Angeles.