The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Chicago O’Hare Digs Up 50-Ton Boulder Under Airfield, Asks The Public For Name Ideas
Chicago O’Hare uncovered a 50-ton boulder during expansion work. Now, the public can vote to name the giant rock from six finalists.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport has uncovered a roughly 50-ton boulder during excavation work for a stormwater management facility tied to the ORDNext expansion. The rock sits about 30 feet (9 meters) beneath the airfield surface and became the center of a public naming contest.
The discovery was reported by CBS News Chicago and linked to ORDNext, the airport’s ongoing development project. The event has shifted from a routine construction finding to a public engagement effort, with the city inviting suggestions for a name.
Officials announced six finalists on October 16, 2026, after receiving close to 3,000 name ideas from the public. Online voting is now open to determine the boulder’s official name.
The winning name will be featured alongside the rock in a new airport exhibit, highlighting the site’s unusual find during ORDNext construction. No further details on the naming outcome or exhibit timeline are provided in the material.