Mason City Municipal Airport resolution to create a new airport and purchased 312 acres several miles west of the city. The new Mason City Municipal Airport saw its first official landing a few years later on March 29, 1945. The airport consisted of two paved runways, associated taxiways, and a small ramp area. A remodeled farmhouse was used as the first commercial terminal during the airport dedication on June 22, 1946. Musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, along with pilot Roger Peterson, died in a plane crash after taking off from the Mason City Municipal Airport in the early
History of Ritchie Valens to the sea green color used for the originals. In 1987, amidst the success of the Ritchie Valens bio film "La Bamba", Rhino reissued all three albums separately along with a compilation previously issued in 1981, "The Best Of Ritchie Valens". History of Ritchie Valens History of Ritchie Valens is a 3-record box set by Ritchie Valens, featuring his three original Del-Fi albums ("Ritchie Valens, Ritchie, & Ritchie Valens In Concert at Pacoima Jr. High") plus a booklet with biography and photos (See each album title for contents). The albums were replicated with the same covers as the original releases