March Field keeps Inland Empire aviation history close to the runway

March Field Air Museum makes Inland Empire aviation history feel close and concrete. The museum sits beside the active flight line at March Air Reserve Base, so the setting is part of the visit. You are not seeing aircraft history in a random building. You are next to a field with roots in World War I training.

The place began in 1918 as Alessandro Flying Training Field near Riverside. It was renamed March Field on March 20, 1918, in honor of Second Lieutenant Peyton C. March, Jr. Within a short time, the field had hangars, barracks, shops, a hospital, and other buildings needed for early Army aviation training.

That early start matters because Southern California became one of the country’s major aviation regions. Weather, open land, military needs, manufacturing, and testing all played roles. March Field is one of the Inland Empire pieces of that larger story.

The museum now gives visitors a way to see that history without needing to know aircraft names ahead of time. Walk the collection slowly, read a few signs, and look at how the planes changed over time. Check hours, tickets, and event closures before going, especially because the museum sits next to an active base.