Ford Airport Hangar
Also known as: Lansing Municipal Airport Hanger
Why it's listed
Built in 1926 at Lansing, Illinois, this airport hangar was designed by Detroit architect Albert Kahn for Henry and Edsel Ford. Its main section measures 106 by 124 feet and is built of buff brick and limestone, with a gambrel roof and large steel-sash windows. A cantilevered steel-truss roof, carried by two braced towers, leaves the interior free of columns, and the north and south walls consist of ten sliding steel doors that a single person could open by hand. The hangar was part of the Ford airport near the company's Hegewisch plant, supporting the Ford airline and its freight, passenger and air mail service. At a time when most hangars were dark, temporary wooden buildings, Kahn applied his factory-design experience to produce a permanent building with abundant natural light. The nomination calls it the Chicago area's oldest and finest known factory-type hangar. It still carries its original 1926 beacon and remains in excellent condition.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the hangar is a fine early example of a permanent 'factory-type' hangar by master architect Albert Kahn, solving problems of lighting, structure and door operation. It is also tied to Henry Ford's promotion of American aviation, including his airline and pioneering private air mail carriage.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 85001009, listed May 9, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Glenwood-Lansing Rd. and Burnahn Ave., Lansing |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | May 9, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85001009 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1926 |
| Architect / builder | Albert Kahn (1869-1942) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Architecture, Communications |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition; the only major alteration is boarding over of some window openings in the lower office wing. Listed as occupied, with transportation as present use. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 41.54245, -87.53834 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 85001009.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q47526557
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.