the Spirit of Saint Louis. But more than a decade would pass before the airport would become the region's main air hub. The city of Philadelphia bought Hog Island from the federal government in 1930 for $3 million but the Great Depression delayed work until 1937. In the meantime, Camden Central Airport, opened in 1929 in New Jersey, served as the city's main airport until Philadelphia Municipal Airport opened on June 20, 1940. Cultural context One legend of the origin of the hoagie sandwich is tied to Hog Island. Domenic Vitiello, professor of Urban Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, asserts that Italians working on Hog Island in the old Navy Yard introduced the sandwich, by putting various meat, cheese, and lettuce between two slices of bread. This became known as the "Hog Island" sandwich; hence, the "hoagie". See also Fort Mifflin Hog Islander Hog Island Cranes References External links List of ships built by the Hog Island Shipyard Controversy about the shipbuilding operation Frederick W. Wood papers at Hagley Museum and Library. Wood was vice president of the American International Shipbuilding Corporation and played a major part in the construction and operation of the shipyard at Hog Island. "The Saga of Hog Island,1917-1921: The Story of the First Great War Boondoggle", James J. Martin Neighborhoods in Philadelphia Southwest Philadelphia Shipyards of the United States Philadelphia International Airport