Has anyone ever lost a city? Chicago almost did. Midway Airport Terminal, now a bustling hub, was once the heart of Chicago’s air travel. Before O’Hare, before the jet age, Midway was the “World’s Busiest,” a title it proudly held in the 1930s. Imagine a time when biplanes and tri-motor passenger planes filled the sky above this very spot. Midway Airport, opened in 1927, was originally named Chicago Air Park. It started as a humble 320-acre plot with a single cinder runway, primarily for airmail. The city took over in 1926, renaming it Chicago Municipal Airport. By 1928, Midway boasted twelve hangars and four runways, even lit for night operations, a marvel of the time. Tragedy struck in 1930 when a massive fire consumed two hangars and 27 aircraft, a devastating setback.
Midway Airport Terminal wasn’t deterred. A new passenger terminal was unveiled in 1931 at 62nd Street. The Works Progress Administration contributed funds for expansion. By 1941, the airport had swallowed a whole square mile, the train tracks rerouted to make room for its growing ambition. In 1949, it was renamed Midway Airport to commemorate a pivotal naval battle. At its peak in 1959, a staggering 10 million passengers passed through its gates. However, the jet age brought new challenges. Midway Airport Terminal, surrounded by the city, had limited runway space. The arrival of the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 in 1959 marked a turning point. The shorter runways couldn’t accommodate these larger aircraft, diverting jet traffic to O’Hare. Though smaller planes could still operate, the opening of O’Hare’s new terminal in 1962 offered airlines the efficiency of consolidation. For a brief period, Midway was almost deserted, with only Chicago Helicopter offering scheduled flights.
Midway Airport Terminal’s story doesn’t end there. Reconstruction began in 1967, adding new concourses and ticket counters. The city poured in millions for renovations, breathing new life into the airport. Smaller twin-jet and trijet airliners like the DC-9, Boeing 727, and Boeing 737, suited to Midway’s runways, brought back the airlines and the passengers. Midway Airport Terminal’s resurgence continued. The 1990s saw another major transformation with the Midway Airport Terminal Development Program, the largest public works project in the state at the time. A new parking garage, a pedestrian bridge over Cicero Avenue, and a sprawling new terminal building marked a new era. The 21st century ushered in further improvements, including a new security checkpoint, an expanded parking garage, and upgraded concession areas. Today, Midway Airport Terminal, with its 43 gates across three concourses, stands as a testament to its enduring spirit. It’s a reminder that even in the face of change, a city’s heart, and its airport, can beat strong.