Historic Feature: Midway Seaplane Hanger

Midway Seaplane Hanger. Photo Credit: Andy Collins

The historic seaplane hanger on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial's Sand Island was designed by the famous industrial architect Albert Kahn, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was constructed in late 1940 or '41 and was shelled during an air raid on December 7,1941 - the same night as the raid on Pearl Harbor. It was set afire by another Japanese air attack on June 4, 1942. Only half the original hanger was repaired and rebuilt after the battle. It is considered one of the most iconic remnants of the Battle of Midway. During World War II Sand Island was home to PBY Catalinas amphibious aircraft used for long range patrols, and Eastern Island had the runways for fighters and other aircraft. Today Sand Island has the active runway, the seaplanes are long gone, and the runways on Eastern Island are grown over.

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