Ruth Haines
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, also known as O'Hare Airport, Chicago International Airport, or simply O'Hare, is an international airport located on the Far Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois. The airport was built in February 1944 as a manufacturing base during World War II and was originally known as Orchard Place, a small German-American farming community.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Construction began | Early 1940s |
| Opened | February 1944 |
| Original name | Orchard Place |
| Renamed | Orchard Field Airport (mid-1940s); Chicago O'Hare International Airport (1949) |
| Named after | Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a WWII fighter pilot and the U.S. Navy's first Medal of Honor recipient during WWII |
| Original purpose | Manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters |
| Size | 7,200 acres (30 km²) |
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What You'll Learn
- O'Hare Airport was built in February 1944
- It was originally a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters during World War II
- The site was previously a small German-American farming community known as Orchard Place
- In 1949, the airport was renamed after aviator Edward Butch O'Hare
- O'Hare Airport is the primary international airport serving Chicago, Illinois
O'Hare Airport was built in February 1944
O'Hare International Airport, also known as Chicago O'Hare, Chicago International Airport, or simply O'Hare, is located on the Far Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. The airport is the primary international airport serving Chicago and is considered the main hub for American Airlines and United Airlines.
The airfield, from which the C-54s flew out, was known as Douglas Airport and initially had four 5,500-foot (1,700 m) runways. After World War II, the city of Chicago began considering options for airport expansion, and O'Hare underwent a major expansion to meet the city's aviation needs. The airport was renamed Orchard Field Airport in the mid-1940s and was assigned the IATA code ORD. In 1949, it was renamed Chicago O'Hare International Airport after Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a revered WWII fighter pilot and the U.S. Navy's first Medal of Honor recipient during that war.
As the first major airport planned after World War II, O'Hare's innovative design pioneered concepts such as concourses, direct highway access to the terminal, jet bridges, and underground refueling systems. The airport became famous during the jet age and held the distinction of being the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998. O'Hare has continued to expand and develop over the years, with major changes and improvements constantly being made to its infrastructure and facilities. Today, O'Hare remains one of the busiest airports in the world, offering non-stop flights to 249 destinations worldwide and serving as a crucial transportation hub for the city of Chicago and the surrounding region.
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It was originally a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters during World War II
Chicago O'Hare International Airport was originally a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters during World War II. The site was initially known as Orchard Place, a small German-American farming community. The 2 million square feet plant was located in the northeast corner of what is now the airport.
The Douglas Aircraft Company, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Civil Aeronautics Authority, the Chicago Association of Commerce, and the Chicago Regional Planning Association chose the site. They needed a location with easy access to the workforce of Chicago, the nation's second-largest city at the time, as well as railroads and a safe inland position away from enemy threats.
The first C-54 Skymaster rolled off the line on July 30, 1943. Over 600 C-54s were built at the plant during the war, more than half of all those produced. The airfield, from which the C-54s flew out, was known as Douglas Airport and had four 5,500-foot runways.
After the war, in 1945, the city of Chicago, led by Mayor Edward Kelly, began considering options for airport expansion. O'Hare Airport was built in February 1944 and underwent a major expansion to meet the city's aviation needs. It was renamed Orchard Field Airport in the mid-1940s and then Chicago O'Hare International Airport in 1949, after Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a highly-decorated WWII fighter pilot and the U.S. Navy's first Medal of Honor recipient during that war.
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The site was previously a small German-American farming community known as Orchard Place
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, also known as O'Hare Airport, Chicago International Airport, or simply O'Hare, is situated on the Far Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving as a hub for airlines like American Airlines and United Airlines. The airport was officially opened in February 1944, but the history of the site goes back further, to a small German-American farming community known as Orchard Place.
Orchard Place was selected as the site for a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters during World War II. The location was ideal as it provided easy access to the workforce of Chicago, the nation's second-largest city at the time, as well as railroads and a safe inland location away from enemy threats. The 2 million square feet plant occupied the northeast corner of what is now the airport. The airfield, known as Douglas Airport, initially had four 5,500-foot runways.
The first C-54 Skymaster rolled off the line on July 30, 1943, with over 600 of these aircraft built during the war years. In addition to the manufacturing facilities, the site also housed the Army Air Force's 803rd Specialized Depot, which was responsible for storing captured enemy aircraft. Some of these aircraft were eventually transferred to the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum.
In the mid-1940s, the airfield was renamed Orchard Field Airport and was assigned the IATA code ORD. In 1949, the airport was renamed Chicago O'Hare International Airport after Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a revered WWII fighter pilot and the U.S. Navy's first Medal of Honor recipient during that war. The airport underwent a major expansion after World War II to meet the growing aviation needs of the city, and it has continued to expand and develop over the years.
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In 1949, the airport was renamed after aviator Edward Butch O'Hare
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, also known as O'Hare Airport, Chicago International Airport, or simply O'Hare, is an international airport situated on the Far Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois. It is approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district.
O'Hare Airport was built in February 1944 as a manufacturing base during World War II. The site was originally known as Orchard Place, a small German-American farming community. The airport was initially an airfield serving a Douglas manufacturing plant for C-54 military transports. The first C-54 Skymaster rolled off the line on July 30, 1943.
In 1949, the airport was renamed Chicago O'Hare International Airport after aviator Edward "Butch" O'Hare. Edward O'Hare was a highly regarded World War II fighter pilot and the U.S. Navy's first Medal of Honor recipient during that war. The Chicago City Council made the decision to rename the airport, which was previously known as Orchard Field.
The airport's design was innovative for its time, pioneering concepts such as concourses, direct highway access to the terminal, jet bridges, and underground refueling 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 has continued to expand and remains one of the busiest airports in the world, with a large number of regional flights contributing to its high aircraft movement count.
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O'Hare Airport is the primary international airport serving Chicago, Illinois
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, also known as O'Hare Airport, Chicago International Airport, or simply O'Hare, is the primary international airport serving Chicago, Illinois. It is located on the Far Northwest Side of Chicago, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. The airport covers 7,200–7,627 acres (about 11.92 sq mi or 30.87 km^2) and features four passenger terminals, nine concourses, and a total of 182 gates. O'Hare is known for its sophisticated facilities, including an underground pedestrian walkway connecting two concourses, illuminated by a neon light show, and world-class public art exhibits.
The history of O'Hare International Airport dates back to World War II. It began as a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters, with the site originally known as Orchard Place, a small German-American farming community. The plant had easy access to Chicago's workforce and railroads and was located far from enemy threats. In February 1944, the airport was opened, and it soon became a major expansion for the city in the post-war years. The airfield, known as Douglas Airport, initially had four 5,500-foot (1,700 m) runways.
In the mid-1940s, the airport was renamed Orchard Field Airport and was assigned the IATA code ORD. In 1949, it was renamed Chicago O'Hare International Airport after Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a revered WWII fighter pilot and the U.S. Navy's first Medal of Honor recipient during that war. As the first major airport planned after World War II, O'Hare's design introduced innovative concepts such as concourses, direct highway access to the terminal, jet bridges, and underground refueling systems.
Over the years, O'Hare Airport has undergone significant expansion and infrastructure development to meet the growing aviation demands of Chicago. Terminal expansions in the 1980s were driven by dominant airlines such as United and American Airlines, who continue to operate hubs at the airport. O'Hare has consistently ranked as one of the busiest airports in the world, holding the distinction of the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998. In 2023, it became the world's busiest airport by flights, and as of 2024, it is considered the most connected airport in the US and the fifth most connected airport worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
O'Hare Airport was built in February 1944.
O'Hare Airport was initially a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters during World War II.
The site was previously a small German-American farming community known as Orchard Place.
O'Hare Airport became a commercial airport after World War II.
O'Hare Airport was renamed in 1949 after Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a revered WWII fighter pilot and the U.S. Navy's first Medal of Honor recipient during that war.
