The History Of O'hare Airport: Age And Evolution

Chicago O'Hare International Airport, located on the city's Northwest Side, is one of the busiest airports in the world. O'Hare Airport was originally an airfield serving a Douglas manufacturing plant for C-54 military transports during World War II. The site was known as Orchard Place, and the airport was renamed Orchard Field Airport in the mid-1940s. In 1949, it was renamed after aviator Edward Butch O'Hare, a World War II hero and the U.S. Navy's first Medal of Honor recipient. O'Hare Airport has undergone significant expansion and modernisation since its early days, becoming a major international travel hub and playing a crucial role in Chicago's aviation history.

O'Hare Airport is named after WWII fighter pilot and Medal of Honor recipient, Butch O'Hare

Chicago O'Hare International Airport, located in Illinois, United States, is one of the busiest airports in the world. It is named after World War II fighter pilot and Navy Medal of Honor recipient, Lieutenant Commander Edward "Butch" O'Hare.

O'Hare Airport began as an airfield serving a Douglas manufacturing plant for C-54 military transports during World War II. The site was known as Orchard Place, a small German-American farming community. The plant covered 2 million square feet and needed easy access to the workforce of Chicago, as well as its railroads and a location far from enemy threat. The airfield, known as Douglas Airport, played a crucial role in World War II, with 655 C-54s being built there—more than half of the total produced.

The airport was renamed Orchard Field Airport in the mid-1940s and was designated the IATA code ORD. In 1949, it was renamed O'Hare International Airport to honour the bravery of Lt. Cmdr. Edward "Butch" O'Hare. O'Hare, born in St. Louis, Missouri, was a skilled naval aviator who became the Navy's first fighter ace of the war. On February 20, 1942, he single-handedly attacked a formation of nine bombers approaching his aircraft carrier and was credited with shooting down five enemy planes. For his exceptional valour and skill, he was awarded the Navy Medal of Honor, becoming the first naval aviator to receive this distinction during World War II.

O'Hare's final mission took place on November 26, 1943, when he led the Navy's first-ever nighttime fighter attack launched from an aircraft carrier against a group of Japanese torpedo bombers. Unfortunately, during this encounter, O'Hare's plane was shot down, and neither he nor his aircraft was ever found. In honour of his heroic service and sacrifice, the Chicago-area Orchard Field Airport was renamed O'Hare International Airport on September 19, 1949, six years after his death.

Today, O'Hare International Airport is a bustling transportation hub, offering non-stop flights to numerous destinations worldwide and serving millions of passengers each year. Its innovative design includes concourses, direct highway access, jet bridges, and underground refuelling systems. O'Hare's legacy, both in the skies and in the airport that bears his name, continues to inspire travellers and aviation enthusiasts alike.

The airport was originally an airfield serving a Douglas manufacturing plant for C-54 military transports during WWII

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD, ICAO: KORD, FAA LID: ORD) is a major international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is located on the city's Northwest Side, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. The airport was originally an airfield serving a Douglas manufacturing plant for C-54 military transports during World War II.

The Douglas Aircraft Company, the Corps of Army Engineers, the Civil Aeronautics Authority, Chicago Association of Commerce, and the Chicago Regional Planning Association selected a site on the outskirts of the Northwest Side of the city to increase production of airplanes for World War II. The site was known as Orchard Place, previously a small German-American farming community. The plant, in the northeast corner of what is now the airport, needed easy access to the workforce of the nation's second-largest city, as well as its railroads and location far from enemy threat. The first C-54 Skymaster rolled off the line on July 30, 1943.

The airfield, from which the C-54s flew out, was known as Douglas Airport. It initially had four 5,500-foot (1,700 m) runways. The 2 million square feet (190,000 m2) plant built more than half of its aircraft at the facility. 655 C-54s were built at the plant, more than half of all produced. The city of Chicago was simultaneously looking to expand air travel beyond Midway Airport. In 1944, Ralph Burke, the city engineer, designated the Douglas Aircraft plant for use as an additional commercial airport. After retiring to private practice, Burke developed a master plan for the airport, including its passenger terminals, highway access, and provisions for later construction of a mass transit link to the Loop.

Domestic commercial flights began on a small scale in 1955. After Burke's death in 1956, Mayor Richard J. Daley selected C.F. Murphy Associates to continue the airport's development. Led by partner Carter Manny, Jr., the firm designed a passenger terminal complex comprising four semi-autonomous buildings linked by walkways. The terminals have long projections or "fingers" where passengers board and disembark.

In 1949, the airport was renamed after the US Navy aviator Edward "Butch" O'Hare, the first recipient of the Medal of Honor during World War II. The airport's master plan was designed to connect the terminal building with the parked aircraft. O'Hare Airport became the first major airport to be built after World War II.

O'Hare Airport was renamed Orchard Field Airport in the mid-1940s and given the IATA code ORD

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD, ICAO: KORD, FAA LID: ORD) is a major international airport serving Chicago, Illinois. O'Hare Airport was renamed Orchard Field Airport in the mid-1940s and was given the IATA code ORD.

The airport was originally an airfield serving a Douglas manufacturing plant for C-54 military transports during World War II. The site was known as Orchard Place, a small German-American farming community. The Douglas Aircraft Company produced its first C-54 Skymaster transport aircraft in 1943. The City of Chicago was looking to expand air travel beyond Midway Airport and in 1944, city engineer Ralph Burke designated the Douglas Aircraft plant for use as an additional commercial airport.

After the war, in 1947, the City of Chicago acquired 1000 acres of the Douglas plant and surrounding land from the federal government. The airport was renamed O'Hare Field, honouring naval aviator Edward "Butch" O'Hare, the U.S. Navy's first Medal of Honor recipient during World War II. The IATA code ORD is a reminder of the airport's rural past, referencing the original Orchard Place Field.

O'Hare Airport was the first major airport planned after World War II. Its innovative design pioneered concepts such as concourses, direct highway access to the terminal, jet bridges, and underground refuelling systems. O'Hare became famous during the jet age, holding the distinction as the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998. It is still considered one of the busiest airports in the world.

Domestic commercial flights began in 1955

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD, ICAO: KORD, FAA LID: ORD) is a major international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States. O'Hare Airport began as an airfield serving a Douglas manufacturing plant for C-54 military transports during World War II. The site was known as Orchard Place, previously a small German-American farming community.

In 1944, city engineer Ralph Burke designated the Douglas Aircraft plant for use as an additional commercial airport. Domestic commercial flights began on a small scale in 1955. After Burke's death in 1956, Mayor Richard J. Daley selected C. F. Murphy Associates to continue the airport's development. Led by partner Carter Manny, Jr., the firm designed a passenger terminal complex comprising four semi-autonomous buildings linked by walkways.

The terminals have long projections or "fingers" where passengers board and disembark. Mayor Daley and President John F. Kennedy dedicated the completed facility on March 23, 1963, formally naming it after World War II hero Lt. Comdr. Edward O'Hare.

O'Hare Airport is located on the northwest side of Chicago, Illinois, United States

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD, ICAO: KORD, FAA LID: ORD) is a major international airport located on the northwest side of Chicago, Illinois, United States, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. The airport covers 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2) and is operated by the Chicago Department of Aviation. O'Hare is one of the busiest airports in the world, offering non-stop flights to 249 destinations across the globe as of summer 2024. It is the most connected airport in the US and the 5th most connected airport worldwide.

O'Hare Airport was designed to succeed Chicago's Midway International Airport, which was once known as the "busiest square mile in the world." During World War II, O'Hare began as an airfield serving the Douglas manufacturing plant for C-54 military transports. The site, known as Orchard Place, was previously a small German-American farming community. The Douglas plant needed easy access to the workforce, railroads, and a location safe from enemy threats. The first C-54 Skymaster rolled off the line on July 30, 1943. The airport was renamed Orchard Field Airport in the mid-1940s and was assigned the IATA code ORD.

In 1949, the airport was renamed O'Hare Airport to honour Edward "Butch" O'Hare, the U.S. Navy's first flying ace and Medal of Honor recipient during World War II. O'Hare's design included innovative features such as concourses, direct highway access to the terminal, jet bridges, and underground refuelling systems. O'Hare became famous during the jet age, holding the title of the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998.

Today, O'Hare Airport boasts an extensive transportation network, including the Airport Transit System, which shuttles passengers between terminals and the O'Hare Multi-Modal Facility (MMF). The airport is also accessible via the CTA Blue Line, which provides direct service to downtown Chicago. O'Hare has two sets of parallel runways and is currently the civilian airport with the most runways in the world. The airport's busy cargo areas handle a significant amount of air cargo, with over 2 million square feet of airside cargo space. O'Hare is also unique in that it is home to an apiary, hosting up to 75 hives and a million bees during the summer months.

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