Melrose Park in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Sky Haven Airport
Photographed by Norm Nissen, Jr.
1. Sky Haven Airport Marker
Sky Haven Airport was located near these grounds after vacant farm property was leased by local pilot Ira Eylea & his wife in 1939. The airport was operated by the Eylea's until it was sold to Dick Lloyd in 1946. This marker recognizes the significant efforts Leyden Township residents made by joining the Civil Air Patrol. The Civil Air Patrol was established across the USA during WWII in response to enemy submarines attacking merchant vessels along the East Coast. With our military unable to respond in force, the Civil Air Patrol became an important part of our national security during & after WWII. Sky Haven Airport was home to a Civil Air Patrol unit which included brave Leyden Township residents utilizing the GI Bill to take flight lessons based at the airport. The Civil Air Patrol was sponsored by the VFW Northlake Post. Sky Haven eventually closed due to O'Hare Airport expansion in 1955.
Erected 2025 by Leyden Township.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.
Location. 41° 56.05′ N, 87° 54.358′ W. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); The History of the Old Dutch Mill (approx. 0.9 miles away); Leyden Township Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); Old Northlake Library site (approx. 1.4 miles away); Music Evolution! (approx. 1.4 miles away); Connections! (approx. 1.4 miles away); Gone Wild! (approx.
circa circa 1950
2. Sky Haven Airport Marker
Sky Haven Airport map shown in relationship to local streets. The corner of Belmont Avenue (E-W direction)and Wolf Road (N-S direction) marks the South East corner of the airport operation. The marker is south of the actual airport perimeter.
Additional keywords. Franklin Park
Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2025, by Norm Nissen, Jr. of Northlake, Elgin. This page has been viewed 612 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 7, 2025, by Norm Nissen, Jr. of Northlake, Elgin. 2. submitted on March 8, 2026. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker in context. • Can you help?
