SITE HISTORY: Two airfields were built at this site by Hearst. The first was located at the present site of the Hearst Castle Visitors' Center parking lot. In the early 1950s, when the original airfield became too short for the newer planes, a second airfield was built just north of the old field to shuttle Hearst's friends and business associates to and from the castle. On 1 June 1951, Lease DA-04-353-Eng-1668 was signed with the Hearst Corporation and the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, South Pacific Division granting joint use of the Hearst Ranch Airfield (north airfield).
The site was used for all usual procedures of landing and takeoff by aircraft engaged in business of the Government, their authorized personnel, passengers, and cargo, pertinent to operation of the Cambria Air Force Station near the town of Cambria, some ten miles to the south, and not for any other purposes.
On 9 March 1961 Supplemental Agreement No. 1 extended the original lease to 31 May 1971. However, on 14 August 1962, Supplemental Agreement No. 2 terminated the lease on 15 August 1962. In this agreement the Hearst Corporation accepted $10,000 in lieu of the Government's restoration of the leased property.
