The Essex County Airport, located in Caldwell, New Jersey, USA, has a rich and storied history. The airport was originally established in 1930 as the Caldwell Airport and was owned by the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders. The airport served as a base of operations for several aviation clubs and was used primarily by private pilots and aircraft owners.

In the 1950s, the airport was renamed the Essex County Airport and underwent a major expansion. The airport was extended to its current size of 600 acres and a new terminal building, hangars, and control tower were constructed. The airport's main runway was also extended to 5,500 feet.

The airport was renamed again in 1988, this time in honor of two local aviation pioneers, Orville Wright and Clarence Chamberlin. Wright, who famously co-invented the modern airplane with his brother Wilbur, was a resident of Essex County and Chamberlin, the first pilot to fly an aircraft across the Atlantic, was born in nearby Newark. The airport has since become known as the Essex County Airport-Orville Wright and Clarence Chamberlin Airfield.

The airport code "CDW" was assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The code is derived from the airport's location in Caldwell, New Jersey.

Essex County Airport currently serves around 75,000 passengers annually and has an average of 8-10 flights per day. The airport is served by several major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and JetBlue.

The airport features a variety of amenities, including a full-service restaurant, an aviation museum, a gift shop, and a café. There are also several car rental agencies located on the premises. Essex County Airport has become an important part of the local community, providing a convenient and economical alternative to the larger airports in the region.