[3] Objections over the airport started almost immediately, as postal workers who were using Pearson Airfield claimed Swan Island might flood.

[5] In a proposal to the Port of Portland, the west channel of the Willamette River next to Swan Island would have to be widened, and a dike built to keep high water out.

[6] In May 1926, the project extended its timeline, forcing the USPS to continue using Pearson Airfield in Vancouver to deliver mail to the city.

[8] During its construction, the Port of Portland requested that the Swan Island Municipal Airport be the future site of the Pacific Coast Air Derby, which was approved.

[9] Swan Island Municipal Airport was officially dedicated in September 1927 by Charles Lindbergh, who flew the Spirit of St. Louis onto the airstrip.

[11] The official opening of the Swan Island Municipal Airport came on September 27, 1927, during the Pacific Coast Air Derby where six army planes performed for 10,000 paid spectators.

[14][15] A United Airlines / Western Air Express Boeing 247D crashed on November 9, 1933, after a failed takeoff from Swan Island Municipal Airport.

[19] I. E. Oakes, the Works Progress Administration director for Portland, announced in 1937 that he would look to secure US$627,781 (US$13,305,470 adjusted for inflation) in funds from the federal government to build a new runway to accommodate large airlines.