Chicago Seeks a Name for Giant Boulder Unearthed at O’Hare

When crews started digging for a new storm‑water detention basin at O’Hare International Airport, they weren’t just moving dirt – they hit something solid, something that hasn’t moved in millions of years. A 50‑ton boulder, roughly the size of a small house, emerged from about 30 feet below the runway.

The rock, identified by a geologist as dolostone – a sedimentary cousin of limestone – measures about 11.5 feet wide, 8 feet deep and 7.5 feet tall. In other words, it’s a pretty impressive chunk of Earth that suddenly became a conversation starter for the city.

Chicago’s Department of Aviation (CDA) decided to turn this surprise into a community event. Over the next three weeks, anyone can submit a name for the stone using an online form. After the submission window closes, the department will narrow the list to five finalists. Then the public gets to vote, and the winning name will be emblazoned on a plaque when the boulder is finally displayed in a prominent spot outside one of the airport’s facilities.

“The world already knows that O’Hare rocks,” said Aviation Commissioner Mike McMurray, who noted that the rock has been nicknamed the ‘O’Hare bean’ inside the department. He added, “A rock of this magnitude deserves a name of its own.”

The naming contest is reminiscent of Chicago’s quirky snowplow‑naming tradition, which this year produced monikers like “Abolish ICE,” “Stephen Coldbert” and “Pope Frío XIV.” Those light‑hearted titles have become a small way for residents to feel connected to the massive, often impersonal, infrastructure that keeps the city moving.

This boulder is just one of many surprises surfacing as the $8.8 billion O’Hare modernization project rolls on. The multibillion‑dollar effort, which broke ground last August, aims to revamp terminals, improve traffic flow, and add sustainability features – all slated for completion around 2034.

So, whether you’re a geologist, a local history buff, or just someone who enjoys a good naming contest, Chicago is handing you the reins. Got a clever, funny, or historic suggestion? Throw it into the mix before the deadline, and you might just hear your chosen name echoed across the airport’s busy concourses.

To submit a name, visit the CDA’s official website and fill out the short form. The city will announce the five finalists and, later, the winning name on its social media channels. Keep an eye out – the “O’Hare bean” might soon be known by something you helped create.