O'Hare Airport in the 1950s and 1960s

(Satellite, it no longer has a lot of grass)

(The predecessor airport, Orchard Place, and the 21st Century expansion)

Brian Smith -> Forgotten Chicago

In the 1950s you did not spend a significant fraction of your in-the-plane time taxing to or from the gate. I keep reading articles in the Chicago Tribune about the airlines adding more padding to their schedules because the new runways at O'Hare have caused some long paths between the terminal gates and the runways. Personally, if I have to fly, I try to use Midway.

Eric Johnson: My dad took me to O'Hare the day that the first Boeing 707 landed there. Back then you could get out on the tarmac and we got to walk thru the plane.

Lea Weizer posted

I remember mom and dad taking me out to O'Hare when it first opened.  No way to get lost like you can today.

Michael Krizsanitz: The original name of the airport was "Orchard Place/Douglas Field", in 1942 when Douglas had an aircraft factory there, taking the name from the railroad stop Orchard Place. The decision was suggested by Tribune owner "Colonel" Robert McCormick, to name it for Edward "Butch" O'Hare, as he was an early naval recipient of The Medal of Honor. This was done on September 17, 1949.

Zyan Ryan posted

Chicago O’Hare Airport (1950s).

Chris LaGesse commented on Lea's post

Alan Graybosch commented on Zyan's post
From 1962

 

US City Views posted

O’Hare Rotunda Chicago (1950s)

In the 1950s, the Rotunda at Chicago O'Hare International Airport was a symbol of modern aviation and architectural innovation. As one of the busiest airports in the world, O’Hare played a crucial role in connecting Chicago to global destinations. The Rotunda, with its sleek, futuristic design, featured spacious concourses and amenities that enhanced the passenger experience. Large windows allowed natural light to flood the space, creating a welcoming environment for travelers. The airport’s efficient layout and cutting-edge facilities underscored Chicago’s importance as a major transportation hub during the golden age of air travel. O'Hare's Rotunda was a testament to the city's forward-thinking approach to infrastructure and design.

Jonathan Simons: Tartan Tray Cafeteria-- Carson Pirie Scott... used to sit there in my high-school years and watch TWA Star Streams of all types!

Carl Wagner: It opened in 1962, not the 50s. The main parking has been moved in this photo, probably to begin construction of the parking garage. Interesting to see jetbridges hooked up to Constellations.

J.J. Sedelmaier posted

William Conger: That was the first International Terminal. One could usually park close by the front entrance, as shown here.

Chris Mahaffey: This was THE terminal at first. Became international when 2 and 3 opened. Right?

Michael O'Connor: No tri-state curving around in the background.

Marc Gelfond: It was already a pretty huge field where they had built Douglas Skymasters during the war. It didn't need much terminal space as Midway Airport was carrying the bulk of Chicago's Commercial Aviation traffic in the dawn of the Jet Age. That was all to change by January 1st 1963, when all the Airlines shifted their Operations to O'hare! The original Terminal buildings shown in this photo survived through the early 80's, up until the time they were torn down to make way for the new United Terminal. The Tower may still be standing.

Bob Segal provided a link to the history of O'Hare.

Chris Cabana Carpenter provided a link about Butch O'Hare himself. He won the Medal of Honor early in WW2 for saving the aircraft carrier Lexington from an enemy attack.

Why is there no Terminal 4 at O'Hare Airport?

Chicago History posted
A crowd gathers on the tarmac for the dedication ceremony for O'Hare Field in September 1949.
Dennis Roper Wow dont see any R6V constitutions anymore...
Angelo Rosin That’s a Lockeed Constitution.
John Dzialo In their time,those were FANTASTIC aircraft, although, in my mind, only the Constellation was more beautiful.
Robert Hill The plane has Navy markings not a commercial air liner.
[It is so strange to see a big airplane with propellers.]

Original Chicago posted
O’Hare Field opened for commercial flights on October 31, 1955. Originally known as Orchard Field, its construction began in 1942 and I don't think that they have ever stopped.

David M Laz posted
The boundaries of the then proposed O'Hare Airport imposed over the then operating Douglas (Orchard) Airport.

Jim Olson posted
United Airlines prop on the tarmac at O'Hare (ORD) circa late 50's - early 60's. Taken by my Dad from the terminal.
[I wonder when the Jet-Ways were installed.]

James Stein posted
O'Hare Field a photo from my dads collection
Jim Clarka: At one point, there was an observation deck near one of the terminals, with the big coin operated viewers on the perimeter. When the airlines encouraged people to see your friends and family off on their trip. Walk to their gates, walk to the OD from the parking lot, no security. Cant imagine that today.
Kathy Casper Harriett: Jim Clark we did this when my aunt and uncle were flying to Italy - maybe 1965? And we got to watch them climb up the stairs from the tarmac into the plane.
Carl Rosa: Those are United 720’s. United started flying them in 1959. This photo looks like ‘59 / ‘60. Like the stairs putting you right down on the tarmac!
Bob Glazauskis: Someone that has a good knowledge of cars should be able to give a good general time frame of the photo. As the photo quality is pretty good when zoomed. The 4 engine planes look like DC-8’s. Though not the stretch versions United had and were being phasing out when I hired on with United in aircraft maintenance in 1989.
James Altenbach: Bob Glazauskis Yes. The early jets flown by United were DC-8's.

Rick Smith posted
O'Hare Airport back in the 1960's looks entirely different now...
Bob Foskett: The round building housed the Seven Continents Restaurant which was operated by Carson, Pirie, Scott, which was an updated answer to The Cloud Room which was at Midway Airport and run by Marshal Field Store.