Roberta Aguirre
St. Louis Lambert International Airport, commonly referred to as Lambert Field or Lambert, is the largest and busiest airport in Missouri. The airport is named after Albert Bond Lambert, an Olympic silver medallist golfer and prominent St. Louis aviator. In 1920, Lambert and the Missouri Aeronautical Society opened the St. Louis Flying Field in North County, with Lambert paying for the airfield's development. In 1923, the field was renamed the Lambert-St. Louis Flying Field in honour of Lambert's vigorous efforts to promote St. Louis aviation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Albert Bond Lambert |
| Title | Major |
| Profession | Aviator |
| Achievements | Olympic silver medalist golfer in the 1904 Summer Games, president of Lambert Pharmaceutical Corporation |
| Aviation Achievements | First person to receive a pilot's license in St. Louis |
| Airport Naming Year | 1923 |
| Airport Purchase Year | 1925 |
| Airport Official Name Change | 1930 |
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What You'll Learn
Albert Bond Lambert's Olympic success
St. Louis Lambert International Airport, commonly referred to as Lambert Field or Lambert, is named after Albert Bond Lambert, an Olympic silver medalist golfer in the 1904 Summer Games. Here is a more detailed account of his Olympic success:
Lambert's Olympic triumph was a testament to his athletic prowess and his unwavering commitment to excellence. His success on the golf course showcased his discipline, talent, and competitive spirit. It is no surprise that his name became synonymous with the airport he helped establish and develop, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of aviation as well as sports.
Beyond his Olympic accomplishment, Albert Bond Lambert led a remarkable life. He was a prominent figure in St. Louis aviation and held the distinction of being the first person to receive a pilot's license in the city. Lambert's enthusiasm for aeronautics and aviation was evident in his active involvement in the Missouri Aeronautical Society, which played a pivotal role in establishing the St. Louis Flying Field in 1920.
Lambert's influence extended beyond sports and aviation. He served as the president of the Lambert Pharmaceutical Corporation, which produced Listerine. Additionally, he held the rank of Major, contributing to his esteemed reputation. The impact of his endeavours was recognised during his lifetime and continued to be celebrated even after his death in 1946.
The legacy of Albert Bond Lambert is honoured through the airport's name, St. Louis Lambert International Airport, and the airport community takes pride in his achievements. The airport's art programme, "Art of Travel", further commemorates Lambert's life and contributions, with artist Martin Donlin creating a glass artwork inspired by his early enthusiasm for aeronautics and his pivotal role in aviation history.
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Lambert's aviation advocacy
St. Louis Lambert International Airport, commonly referred to as Lambert Field or simply Lambert, is named after Albert Bond Lambert, an Olympic silver medalist golfer and prominent St. Louis aviator.
Lambert was a strong advocate for aviation in St. Louis and played a pivotal role in the development of the airport. In June 1920, he leased a 170-acre field to the Missouri Aeronautical Society, which named its facility the "St. Louis Flying Field." Lambert was among the Society's leading members and vigorously promoted St. Louis aviation. As a result of his efforts, the field was renamed the "Lambert-St. Louis Flying Field" in 1923.
Lambert purchased the field outright in February 1925 and added hangars and a passenger terminal. He continued to spearhead efforts to improve and expand the airport, even offering free use of the field to anyone who wished to use it. In 1928, the City of St. Louis leased the airport and later purchased it from Lambert, making it one of the first municipally-owned airports in the United States.
Lambert remained actively involved in the airport's development until his death in 1946. At the time of his passing, he was advocating for the airport's expansion and modernisation. His legacy is honoured through a glass artwork installed at the airport, depicting his enthusiasm and support for aeronautics, as well as his own journey as a balloon and air pilot.
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Lambert's purchase of the airport
St. Louis Lambert International Airport, commonly referred to as Lambert Field or Lambert, is the largest and busiest airport in the state of Missouri. The airport is named after Albert Bond Lambert, an Olympic silver medalist golfer in the 1904 Summer Games, president of the Lambert Pharmaceutical Corporation (the makers of Listerine), and the first person to receive a pilot's license in St. Louis.
Lambert was a leading member of the Missouri Aeronautical Society, which in June 1920 leased a 170-acre field to serve as an airfield for St. Louis. Lambert paid for the site to be cleared, graded, and drained, and he had a hangar built at his own expense. He then offered free use of the field to anyone wishing to use it. The field was named the "St. Louis Flying Field" and was soon after renamed the "Lambert-St. Louis Flying Field" in honour of Lambert's efforts to promote St. Louis aviation.
In February 1925, Lambert purchased the field outright and added hangars and a passenger terminal. The airport became the first with an air traffic control system, which communicated with pilots by waving flags. In 1928, the City of St. Louis recognised the need to have its own municipal airport and bought the airport from Lambert after issuing $2 million in bonds. This made the airport one of the first municipally-owned airports in the United States.
Lambert remained involved in the airport until his death in 1946. His legacy is honoured through a glass artwork installed at the airport, depicting significant moments in his life and his contributions to aviation.
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The airport's renaming
The airports renaming
The airport was originally named after Albert Bond Lambert, an Olympic silver medalist golfer in the 1904 Summer Games, president of Lambert Pharmaceutical Corporation (the makers of Listerine), and the first person to receive a pilot's license in St. Louis. He was also a leading member of the Missouri Aeronautical Society, which in June 1920 leased a 170-acre field to serve as an airfield for St. Louis. The airfield was named the "St. Louis Flying Field".
In 1923, due to Major Lambert's vigorous efforts to promote St. Louis aviation, the field was renamed the "Lambert-St. Louis Flying Field". In 1925, Lambert purchased the field and added hangars and a passenger terminal. In 1928, the City of St. Louis leased the airport, and later that year, Lambert sold the airport to the city, making it one of the first municipally-owned airports in the United States.
In 1930, the airport was officially christened the "Lambert-St. Louis Municipal Airport" by Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd. Over time, the airport became known as "Lambert Field" or simply "Lambert".
In 2018, there was a proposal to rename the airport to "St. Louis International Airport at Lambert Field" to freshen up its image and emphasize "St. Louis" in the name. However, descendants of Albert Bond Lambert opposed this change as they believed it de-emphasized the importance of Major Lambert to the airport's history and the history of aviation. As a result, the proposal was amended, and the airport's name was changed to "St. Louis Lambert International Airport".
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The airport's historical significance
St. Louis Lambert International Airport, commonly referred to as Lambert Field or Lambert, is the largest and busiest airport in the state of Missouri. The airport is named after Albert Bond Lambert, an Olympic silver medallist golfer in the 1904 Summer Games, president of the Lambert Pharmaceutical Corporation (which made Listerine), and the first person to receive a pilot's license in St. Louis.
The airport has a rich history, dating back to June 1920 when 170 acres of farmland in St. Louis County were leased to Major Albert Bond Lambert and the Missouri Aeronautical Society to serve as an airfield for St. Louis. Major Lambert was instrumental in developing the airfield, offering free use of the field and investing in improvements such as drainage and the construction of a hangar at his own expense. In 1923, the field was renamed the "Lambert-St. Louis Flying Field" in recognition of his efforts.
In 1925, Lambert purchased the field outright and continued to develop the site by adding hangars and a passenger terminal. The airport became the first with an air traffic control system, with Archie League as the first controller. Charles Lindbergh, who would go on to gain international fame for his record-breaking flight to Paris in 1927, also piloted airmail flights from the airfield. In 1928, the City of St. Louis recognised the need for a municipal airport and bought the property, making it one of the first municipally-owned airports in the United States.
Over the years, the airport has undergone expansions and improvements, including the addition of a terminal building in 1933 and the introduction of jet airline service in 1959. In 1956, the iconic arched terminal designed by Minoru Yamasaki opened, setting a new standard for airport design and inspiring the designs of other airports worldwide.
The airport has played a significant role in the region's economic growth and development and has become a landmark for St. Louis and aviation history. In 2024, it served nearly 16 million passengers to over 80 nonstop domestic and international destinations.
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Frequently asked questions
St. Louis Lambert International Airport, also known as Lambert Field or Lambert, was named after Albert Bond Lambert, an Olympic silver medalist golfer and prominent St. Louis aviator.
Albert Bond Lambert was an Olympic medalist, the president of Lambert Pharmaceutical Corporation (which made Listerine), and the first person to receive a pilot's license in St. Louis.
Albert Bond Lambert was a leading member of the Missouri Aeronautical Society, which leased a 170-acre field in June 1920 to establish the "St. Louis Flying Field." Due to his significant contributions to St. Louis aviation, the field was renamed the "Lambert-St. Louis Flying Field" in 1923.
Yes, in 2018, officials considered renaming the airport to "St. Louis International Airport at Lambert Field" to emphasise the city's name. However, descendants of Albert Bond Lambert opposed this change, arguing that it diminished his significance in the airport's history and the history of aviation. As a result, the proposal was amended, and the airport's name was changed to "St. Louis Lambert International Airport."
