For 65 years, Chicago Stadium was a beacon of hope for the Windy City. No matter how the job market or political climate looked or the wars fought overseas, Chicago Stadium could always be counted on to hold events that could be the calm before the storm, a respite in a trying time in someone's life. This is its story.
The Conception
The end of the 1920s was a time filled with change in America. The roar of the decade had died down as the Great Depression picked up steam and Al Capone and his cronies ruled Chicago's streets with an iron fist. Seeing all the tension building up around him, sports promoter Paddy Harmon had an idea.
The son of poor Irish immigrants had risen to power by creating numerous dances that were backed by the famed Victoria's dance club. He had a real knack for being just ahead of the curve, having promoted boxing matches, bike races and helping build the Ice Palace.
As he learned about New York's Madison Square Garden, he saw a real opportunity for his city. So he gathered a whole bunch of investors and hired the architectural firm of Hall, Lawrence & Ratcliffe, Inc. while clearing out space in the middle of his old neighborhood for the largest indoor stadium in the world.
A False Start
Ground broke for Chicago Stadium on July 2, 1928 and it was completed on March 28, 1929 at a cost between $5 to $9.5 million. It was a magnificent sight to behold. Not only could it seat 26,000, but it also featured the first working air conditioning unit in a sports arena.
However, there were some drawbacks from the very beginning. Since the concept was so new, the air conditioning unit never worked properly and often created fog during games. The arena also didn't have any elevators which forced concession workers to form a line to move kegs of beer up the stairs.
Still, despite its shortcomings, Chicago Stadium proved to be all that Paddy Harmon could have hoped for. However, the Great Depression hit the economy like a ton of bricks when the stock market crashed almost seven months after Chicago Stadium first opened its doors to a throng of 15,000 as Tommy Loughran beat Mickey Walker for a $150,000 purse.
Ticket sales plummeted and the city's great sports promoter was shown the door shortly thereafter. Harmon had sunk everything into his dream and when he perished in a 1931 car crash, he only had his shares in Chicago Stadium and $2.50 to his name. After his funeral was held in his new stadium, the city refused to forget him and a benefit boxing match was held to support his widow and daughter.
The Glory Years
One of the most unique features of Chicago Stadium was its massive Barton organ. With its 3,663 metal pipes built into the stadium's structure, it could produce sounds as loud as 25 brass bands. Under the delicate yet firm fingers of Al Melgard, the organ played as the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup on home ice in 1934 and 1938. Combined with the roar of the crowd, the stadium earned the monicker "the Madhouse on Madison".
From the very beginning, Chicago Stadium embraced the city's vibrant political climate, hosting both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Although the city was learning to love its hockey team, attendance was often low and the stadium had to rely on the annual ice show and circus for revenue as well as the popular six-day bike race.
At the conclusion of the 1932 NFL season, the Chicago Bears and Portsmouth Spartans were tied for first place and had to play a playoff game to determine the champion. It was the first playoff game of any kind in the NFL. While they were due to play at Wrigley Field, the weather was abysmal that day and Bears owner George Halas decided to move the game indoors to Chicago Stadium, which still had dirt on the floor from the recently departed circus. Until then, no NFL game had ever been played in an indoor arena.
All through the game, players had to stomp and prance around elephant tusks, cigar butts and animal droppings, but that was the least of their concern. since the stadium was only so big, the field was reduced to just 80 yards long, including end zones, and 40 yards wide. The goal posts had to be moved from the back end line to the goal line as well. Goal posts at both the college and pro levels would remain there for the next 40 years.
The game was scoreless going into the fourth quarter when the Bears' Bronco Nagurski found Red Grange in the end zone to give Chicago the lead. After a safety, the Bears won the historic game 9-0.
Chicago Stadium was more than just a sports and political venue. It also hosted numerous musical luminaries such as Bob Dylan, Elton John, the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stonnes and Frank Sinatra along with so many others. Although depicted as Madison Square Garden, scenes for 1961's Manchurian Candidate were filmed there during a political convention.
It also proved to be a popular boxing venue. Sugar Ray Robinson beat Jake LaMotta there in 1951 and Rocky Marciano beat Jersey Joe Walcott there in 1953. The only NASL All-Star Game ever played was held there in 1984 where the All-Stars beat the home team Chicago Sting 9-8.
A Roaring Finish
With new arenas popping up, Chicago Stadium was starting to show its age and by the early 1990s, plans were in place for a new arena in downtown Chicago. With Michael Jordan and the Bulls pushing forward for their first championship, the clock was ticking on Chicago Stadium.
After the Bulls won it all in 1991, they wanted more than anything to win an NBA title on their homecourt the following year. Indeed they accomplished that, bringing the city of Chicago one last last lasting memory. Behind Michael Jordan's 33 points and Scottie Pippen's 26 points, the Bulls beat the Portland Trailblazers 97-93 in Game Six of the 1992 NBA Finals at Chicago Stadium. Just two years later, the United Center opened and both the Blackhawks and Bulls moved. Chicago Stadium was demolished in 1995. It now serves as a parking lot for its replacement.
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