Sky High: 100 Years of Mather

Nothing has influenced the history and culture of Rancho Cordova more than 100 years of coexisting with Mather Field. Opened at the birth of aviation in 1918 to help win the Great War, Mather, and the navigators of the free world who trained there, were important players in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Cold War. Even today, service members embark from Mather to serve in the Middle East and Beyond. Mather still impacts the community as a civilian airfield, training pilots and helping packages shipped by carriers like FedEx and UPS “get there overnight.” It is home to rare vernal pools which come to life with winter rains, as well as a habit for families, a school, and wildlife. It is home to veterans who need medical care or a place to live, the exciting annual California Capital Airshow, a quiet afternoon fishing at Mather Lake, or swinging the clubs at Mather Golf Course. Whether your interest is in the history, architecture, or the natural beauty of Mather, your creativity will be overwhelmed with the possibilities of this centennial show – an exhibit 100 years in the making.