Roberta Aguirre
John F. Kennedy International Airport, commonly known as JFK Airport, was originally named Idlewild Airport. The name Idlewild comes from a resort and golf club that once occupied the land on Jamaica Bay. The airport was renamed in honour of President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963, just weeks after departing from the airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Former name of JFK Airport | Idlewild Airport |
| Year JFK Airport was renamed | 1963 |
| Previous name of Idlewild Airport | New York International Airport |
| Year Idlewild Airport opened | 1948 |
| Name of golf course Idlewild Airport was built on | Idlewild Beach Golf Course |
| Developer of Idlewild Airport | Nathan D. Shapiro |
| Year Idlewild Airport was renamed | December 24, 1963 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Idlewild Airport was named after the Idlewild Beach Golf Club
- The golf club was founded by developer Nathan D. Shapiro
- Idlewild Airport was renamed JFK International Airport
- JFK Airport was named after John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the US
- The airport was renamed six weeks after Kennedy's assassination
Idlewild Airport was named after the Idlewild Beach Golf Club
Idlewild Airport, now known as John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), was named after the Idlewild Beach Golf Club. The airport was originally a golf course, which later evolved into an airport after replacing a historical summer hotel.
In November 1929, a parcel of 300 acres of meadow land on Jamaica Bay was assembled for the developer Nathan D. Shapiro, who called his company the Idlewild Beach Company. He planned a colony of year-round houses overlooking the bay with two golf courses behind them, one public and one private. Shapiro was the president of his own Idlewild Beach Golf Club, where golf tournaments of increasing importance were played for over a decade.
As World War II began in 1941, Mayor Fiorello La Guardia stated that New York lacked airfields, and so the development of a new airport was planned. The Idlewild Golf Course site was chosen, and in 1943, the project was renamed Major General Alexander E. Anderson Airport after a Queens resident who had commanded a Federalized National Guard unit in the southern United States and passed away in late 1942. However, Mayor La Guardia vetoed this name, and the common name "Idlewild" persisted.
The airport opened on July 1, 1948, with an official opening ceremony attended by U.S. President Harry S. Truman and Governor of New York Thomas E. Dewey. Despite its official name change to New York International Airport, Anderson Field in 1948, and later to John F. Kennedy International Airport in 1963, the airport was commonly known as Idlewild Airport for many years.
US Airports: Closing Down or Staying Open?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The golf club was founded by developer Nathan D. Shapiro
The Idlewild Beach Golf Club was displaced in 1948 when the New York International Airport was built on the site. The airport was commonly known as Idlewild Airport, adopting its unofficial name from the golf club.
In 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. In memory of the late president, the airport was renamed the John F. Kennedy International Airport, or JFK Airport, on December 24, 1963.
JFK Airport has undergone numerous expansions and renovations over the years, including the addition of new runways, buildings, and taxiways. It has become one of the busiest airports in the New York Airport system and a hub for several major airlines.
Clear Map Availability at Tampa Airport: A Traveler's Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Idlewild Airport was renamed JFK International Airport
The airport, which opened in 1948, was commonly known as Idlewild Airport, after the Idlewild Beach Golf Course that it displaced. The name Idlewild was originally used by a developer for a resort and golf club on Jamaica Bay.
In the aftermath of Kennedy's assassination, there were immediate calls to memorialise the president in the city. On December 24, 1963, just over a month after his death, the airport was officially renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including New York City Mayor Robert Wagner, New Jersey Governor Richard Hughes, and the president's brother, Senator Ted Kennedy.
The renaming of the airport was not without controversy. Some locals lamented the loss of the Idlewild name, feeling that it had been taken away by a politically correct desire to honour an out-of-town politician. Despite this, the new name reflected the airport's status as the largest and busiest airport in the Northeast USA.
JFK International Airport has since undergone numerous expansions and transformations, with construction projects in the 2000s and 2020s aiming to improve its infrastructure and interconnect its terminals.
Airports Test Textbooks: Security or Privacy Invasion?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
JFK Airport was named after John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the US
JFK Airport, one of the busiest airports in the United States, is named after John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the country. The airport, located in Queens, New York City, was originally known as Idlewild Airport when it opened in 1948.
The name Idlewild was derived from the Idlewild Golf Course, which occupied the site before the airport's construction. When the airport was first planned in the 1940s, it was temporarily referred to as the Idlewild Airport, and this name stuck even after the golf course was closed to make way for the airport's expansion.
However, in 1963, just weeks after President Kennedy's assassination, the airport was renamed in his honor. This was a fitting tribute as Kennedy had a strong connection to both New York and aviation. He had represented New York in the Senate before becoming president, and he had a keen interest in aviation, even creating the Presidential Advisory Committee on Aviation Safety while in office.
The renaming of the airport was a way to honor Kennedy's legacy and remember his contribution to the country. The new name, JFK International Airport, was officially adopted on December 24, 1963, by a unanimous vote of the members of the Airport Board of Commissioners. The name change was supported by Kennedy's widow, Jacqueline Kennedy, who believed that it was a fitting way to honor her late husband's memory.
Today, JFK Airport is a bustling international gateway, serving over 60 million passengers annually. While the name Idlewild may still be used occasionally, the airport is primarily known by its official name, a constant reminder of the respected president who left an indelible mark on American history.
Ocala, Florida: Airport Accessibility and Travel Options
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The airport was renamed six weeks after Kennedy's assassination
The airport now known as JFK International Airport was originally named Idlewild Airport. The name Idlewild was the developer's name for a resort and later golf club on Jamaica Bay. The airport was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport on 24 December 1963, six weeks after President Kennedy's assassination and a month and two days after his death.
The airport's renaming was a tribute to the slain president. On 15 November 1963, a week before his assassination, President Kennedy touched down at Idlewild Airport. Following his death, the airport authorities decided to rename the airport after him. The decision was made after a period of solemnity and silent prayers, and permission was granted by President Kennedy's widow.
The airport's renaming was not without controversy. Some locals were unhappy that the airport was renamed after an out-of-town politician, and there were calls to change the name back to Idlewild. However, others found it comforting to have the airport named after the president.
JFK International Airport has a long and interesting history. It was built on the site of the Idlewild Golf Course, and construction began in 1941. The airport opened on 31 July 1948 as New York International Airport, although it was commonly known as Idlewild Airport. It was the world's largest and most efficient airport at the time, with six runways and a seventh under construction.
Over the years, the airport has witnessed many significant events, including the arrival of the jet plane and the rise and fall of Concorde. It has been used by political leaders, royalty, movie stars, and sports stars. Today, it is a hub for American Airlines and Delta Air Lines and is the second-most popular destination for Airbus A380 operations in the US.
Houston Airport's Gate Count: How Many Are There?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The name Idlewild comes from the name of a resort and golf club that once occupied the land on which the airport was built. Developer Nathan D. Shapiro assembled 300 acres of meadow land on Jamaica Bay in 1929, which he named Idlewild Beach Company.
Idlewild Airport was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport on December 24, 1963, a month after President Kennedy's assassination.
The airport was renamed in honour of President Kennedy, who was assassinated on November 22, 1963.
