The airport, originally known as Anderson Field, was constructed for use as an emergency airstrip in 1950 by the Washington State Aeronuatics Division (WSAD).

[3][4][a] The land was deeded to the state in 1946 by the Anderson family[3] and a grass runway was built in a cleared forest area;[6] the airport was dedicated in 1952.

[4] Lewis County became owner of the airport in 1982 after a transfer of ownership from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

[3][6] The airport was planned to be closed by the state due to lack of operational funds but a local aviation group led a petition to deed the airfield to the county.

[10] Until the installation of fencing on the grounds in the mid-1990s, the airport was known for occasional difficulties in takeoffs and landings due to herds of elk and deer that migrated through the fields.

[12] Due to the presence of nearby trees and hillsides to the north of the airport, plans were introduced in 2013 to remove 146 ft (45 m) of the northern portion of the runway and add at least a corresponding length to the south end of the strip.

The annual program, a one-day event usually held in late July, is an aerial tour and local meet-and-greet of small aircraft and pilots in the region.