Boston Logan International Airport, commonly known as Logan Airport, is a pivotal gateway for both domestic and international travelers in the United States.
Beyond its role in aviation, the airport’s name carries a rich historical significance, honoring General Edward Lawrence Logan, an illustrious Bostonian whose contributions spanned military service, law, and civic engagement.
Exploring the life of General Logan alongside the evolution of the airport offers a comprehensive understanding of this landmark’s enduring legacy.
**General Edward Lawrence Logan: A Legacy of Service**
Born on January 20, 1875, in South Boston to Irish immigrant parents from County Galway, Edward Lawrence Logan was the eldest of nine children.
His early life was steeped in the values of education and public service.
Logan graduated from Boston Latin School and enrolled at Harvard College, which he finished in 1898.
After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1901, he served as a state representative and later became a senator in the Massachusetts Senate, advocating passionately for his constituents.
In 1907, he was nominated to serve as associate justice of the South Boston District Municipal Court, a role he held with distinction for 25 years.
During his senior year, amidst the Spanish-American War, he enlisted in the 9th Irish Regiment of Massachusetts as a second lieutenant.
Although his regiment was deployed to Cuba, Logan remained stateside at Camp Dewey in Framingham, focusing on the reenlistment effort.
Logan’s dedication to the military extended beyond the Spanish-American War.
He continued to serve in the 9th regiment, reaching the rank of captain.
In May 1912, he was appointed commander of the 101st Infantry Regiment with the rank of Colonel, and in March 1917 his regiment was mobilized to guard strategic installations in anticipation of World War I.
Months later the 9th Regiment was federalized and re-designated as the 101st Infantry Regiment, becoming part of the 26th Infantry Division of the National Guard organization, created from the units of the New England states.
Also known as the Yankee Division, the 26th Infantry Division was the second U.S. Army division to deploy to France and the second to enter combat.
Lawrence led his troops to France in August 1917 as part of the American Expeditionary Forces.
In April 1919, Logan directed the reorganization of the 101st Infantry Regiment into the Massachusetts National Guard.
His military career culminated in March 1923, when he was appointed commander of the 26th Division with the rank of Major General, reflecting his significant contributions to the U.S. armed forces.
Throughout the rest of his life, Logan achieved prominence as an advocate for veterans as the state commander of the American Legion and president of the National Guard Association of the United States.
He died on July 6, 1939, when he was 64.
Beyond these roles, Logan was a fervent advocate for veterans’ rights, serving as president of the National Guard Association of the United States and working tirelessly to secure benefits and recognition for service representatives, including the high-risk group of aviators.
**History of BOS**
**Origins of the Airport**
Logan Airport’s origins date back to September 8, 1923, when it opened as a modest airfield in East Boston known simply as ‘Boston Airport,’ primarily used by the Massachusetts Air Guard and the Army Air Corps.
Initially known as Jeffery Field, the airport featured a 1,500-foot cinder runway on 189 acres of tidal flats in East Boston.
Its primary function was military, but the potential for commercial aviation soon became evident.
In 1927, Colonial Air Transport moved its headquarters to Boston and initiated the airport’s first scheduled commercial passenger flights, connecting Boston to New York.
This marked the beginning of Logan’s transformation into a commercial aviation hub.
By 1929, passenger service between Boston and New York began, using two Fokker F.VII aircraft, better known as Fokker Trimotor.
Throughout the 1930s, the airport underwent its first significant expansion, reclaiming land from marshland and tidal flats, piling up cinder on the surface.
These developments laid the groundwork to accommodate longer runways and increased traffic at the airfield.
In 1933, the 101st Observation Squadron of the National Guard occupied new hangars and administrative buildings at Logan Airport.
The 101st was also ordered into state service in 1936 and 1938 during a devastating flood and hurricane to fly observation missions and to drop food and equipment to stranded fishermen and the residents of Isle au Haut, Maine.
**Honoring General Logan: The Airport’s Namesake**
In 1943, in recognition of General Edward Lawrence Logan’s profound impact on Boston and his unwavering service to the nation, the Massachusetts state legislature voted to rename Boston Airport as General Edward Lawrence Logan Airport.
This act served as a lasting tribute to Logan’s multifaceted contributions and solidified his legacy within the city’s fabric.
**Post-WWII Expansion**
The outbreak of World War II brought rapid expansion.
The U.S. military saw the need for larger and more advanced airfields, leading to significant infrastructure upgrades at Boston Airport.
Runways were extended, facilities were improved, and by the time the war ended, the airport was well-positioned to handle increased civilian air traffic.
In 1946, as Boston Logan International Airport expanded its reach beyond domestic flights, it quickly became a gateway for transatlantic travel.
American Overseas Airlines pioneered these early international routes, launching services from Boston to Shannon and London in 1946 with the Lockheed L-049 Constellation.
This marked a significant milestone, as it established Boston as a key player in transatlantic aviation.
In 1947, Pan Am introduced its first connections from Boston to London, further solidifying Logan’s role in connecting the U.S. with Europe.
By 1949, the second big expansion and land reclamation took place, leading to international connections with London.
In 1952, British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) began operating direct flights to Glasgow using the Boeing Stratocruiser, a luxurious long-range aircraft known for its spacious double-deck cabin.
BOAC also set another aviation milestone when it introduced the first direct service from Boston to London, utilizing the De Havilland DH-106 Comet.
As the world’s first commercial jet airliner, the Comet revolutionized air travel, significantly reducing flight times and ushering in the Jet Age.
In the same year, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) opened a station on its Blue Line at the airport, making the facility the first in the United States to be connected by rapid transit, a vital link between the airport and the city that still exists today.
By 1970, Pan Am became the launch customer of the Boeing 747, bringing the airport into the Jumbo Jet era.
It flew transatlantic from Boston with many other airlines, including BOAC, and, soon after, British Airways.
The airport saw further expansion from then as well.
A new, much larger international terminal (today’s Terminal E) was opened in 1974.
In 1974, Terminal E opened, becoming Logan’s primary international gateway, capable of handling long-haul jets and improving passenger flow for overseas flights.
Over the years, it has undergone several renovations to keep up with the demands of modern air travel.
In 1973, the inauguration of the world’s tallest control tower took place.
Standing at 285 feet tall, this 22-story structure was the tallest of its kind globally at the time.
Its distinctive design features twin pillars supporting a central structure, making it a recognizable landmark.
This tower housed an observation deck on the 16th floor and a cocktail lounge on the 17th floor, offering panoramic views of the airfield and the Boston skyline.
These public spaces were closed in 1989 due to heightened security measures.
**Centennial Celebrations and Historical Reflection**
In 2023, Logan Airport commemorated its 100th anniversary, celebrating a century of aviation history and its transformation from a modest military airfield to a world-class international airport.
Massport, in partnership with The Boston Globe, curated an exhibit titled “Logan 100,” located in Terminal E.
This visual time capsule showcases the airport’s humble beginnings, its evolution over the past century, and its role as an economic engine for the region.
The exhibit offers travelers and visitors an opportunity to reflect on Logan’s storied past and its enduring significance to Boston and beyond.
Boston Logan International Airport stands as an example of the vision and dedication of General Edward Lawrence Logan, whose legacy of service is intricately woven into the fabric of the city.
From its inception as a military airfield to its current status as a vibrant international gateway, Logan Airport has a rich history marked by growth, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to connecting Boston to the world.
As the airport embarks on its second century, it continues to honor its namesake by upholding the values of service, excellence, and community engagement that General Logan exemplified throughout his life.
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