Meigs Field was one of most spectacular single strip airport in Chicago. It operated from December from 1948 till the year March 2003. Built on the Northerly Island, this airport became the world's busiest single strip airport by 1955.

This airport started operating on 10th December 1948. In the year 1952, the traffic tower was made and the terminal became functional in 1961. The airport was named after Chicago Herald and Examiner Merrill C. Meigs.

Beechcraft Model 99 was one of the aircrafts that use to operate in this Field. Piper PA-31 Navajo was another category of aircraft that operated in Meigs Field. This Filed provided commuter airline service. During 1960's to 1980, maximum flights use to operate in this Field.

Meigs Field was used by the VIPs in order to maintain the security. President John F. Kennedy also landed at a larger airport and then flew to Meigs Field. Helicopters were used for the VIPs to commute from a bigger airport to this Field.

In the year 1992, United Airlines donated a Boeing 727 to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Meigs strip was used for the landing of this huge aircraft which was otherwise not possible. Being lightly-loaded, this aircraft could safely land at this Field and then taken to the Museum.

In the year 1994, it was announced to close this airport. However, in 2001, it was declared that the airport would remain open for next 25 years. In 2003, Mayor Daley ordered to damage the entire runway. Almost 16 aircrafts tied on the field were stranded.

Later on these flights were allowed to fly from the taxiway

The Meigs Field Chicago is an airport which was operating between December 1948 and March 2003. This airport on the Northerly Island became the busiest airport of the country by the year 1955. The runaway of the airport was almost 3900 feet in length and 150 feet in width. The south end of the runway had four helipads. At the north end of the runway the Adler Planetarium was located. The airport was officially named Merrill C. Meigs Field on June 30 1950. Over the years there were many changes incorporated in the airport like the air traffic control tower in the year 1952, a terminal building was included in the year 1961, increasing the length of the runway and many such developments which made it a premier airport of the country.

The airlines that were a part of Meigs Field were: Air Illinois, Britt Airways, Great Lakes Airlines, Hub Airlines and Ozark Airlines. On 30th March 2003, Mayor Danley, destroyed the runway of the airport citing safety issues. The Northerly Island is now a park where visitors come for a stroll.

Which are the hotels near the Meigs Field?

There are a number of Chicago hotels with comfortable hotel rooms around the area.

- Best Western Grant Park Hotel [0.4 miles away]: This hotel is situated in both the business location and tourist attractions of the city. It clearly spells out convenience and comfort.

http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=14120

- W Chicago City Center [0.9 miles away]: Great meeting spaces, delicious cuisines and in-room shiatsu messages are a few things that you must look forward to in this hotel.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=97509

- The Silversmith Hotel [0.9 miles away]: This boutique hotel has fine dining, living and meeting spaces to offer to its guests.

http://www.silversmithchicagohotel.com/

- Holiday Inn Hotels and Suites Chicago Downtown [1.1 miles away]: Conveniently located close to the Amtrak Station, Sears Tower and McCormick Place with friendly multilingual staff to make your stay comfortable.

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/chiwh

Planning to visit this non functional airport strip while staying in any Hotel in Chicago? If planning to have a picnic or want to watch nature at its best consider visiting this field airport. You can get details on the airport's direction and a detailed map to the airport online. Despite the airport being non functional there are many activities taking place in the field. Visiting the airport field will let you have a chance to see on of the oldest landmarks in Chicago.

Special events and features in the field airport

The airport field has now been converted into an area of doing various park district activities and other nature based activities. You can choose the field to hold your summer camps or have a picnic at the field. The field has friendly personnel that will make your visit to the airport field enjoyable. This is the place to choose if you want to have fishing classes while in Chicago.

Do not fail to visit this one of a kind meadow only accessible while in the airport field. Remember to take a nature walk on the well kept field area and visit and have a harboside promenade.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meigs_Field