Before the Astrodome closed in 2009, Houstonians flocked to the stadium for decades to watch the Astros and the Oilers play and concerts by iconic singers. Now, the world’s first indoor, air-conditioned stadium could get a $1 billion makeover, which would include new state-of-the-art buildings and a retail village. Here’s more history about Houston’s very own “Eighth Wonder of the World.”
The World’s First Indoor-Air-Conditioned Stadium
Former Houston Mayor Roy Hofheinz pushed for the Astrodome to be built because he wanted the city to have a major league baseball team. In 1965, his dream came to life, as Hofheinz sat alongside President Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson during the first ever major league baseball game played at the stadium. The Astrodome was the world’s first indoor, air-conditioned stadium, setting the standard for construction and also nicknamed the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” The 18-story structure became a massive presence in Houston for decades. Over the years, the Houston Astros and the NFL’s Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans) played countless games inside.
The Popular Concerts at the Astrodome
Celebrities also flocked to the Astrodome for show-stopping performances. Judy Garland performed the first concert at the Astrodome in December 1965, with Mary Wilson of The Supremes opening the show. Tickets cost from $1 to $7.50 – jealous! In February 1970, Elvis Presley also took the stage for six sold-out shows at the Astrodome for more than 300,000 people. The Houston Livestock Association even gifted him a gold Rolex for breaking attendance records. Selena, the beloved Tejano star, performed her last concert ever there as part of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. She was tragically shot and killed a month later.
The Astrodome’s New Future
In recent years, the Astrodome’s place in Houston has been uncertain. The Oilers left the city in 1996. In 2000, the Astros moved to Minute Maid Park. The city’s fire marshal cited multiple fire code violations in 2008, deeming it unsafe. There’ve been proposals before to revive the historic structure, but now conservationists are brimming with new hope. The Astrodome Conservancy announced plans to turn the building into an event and entertainment complex. On the ground floor, there would be a central event space and four surrounding buildings would feature restaurants, shops, and offices. Houstonians would be able to walk through the new areas of the dome using a connecting boulevard inspired by New York City’s High Line. Meanwhile, the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation is conducting a study to look into the cost of remodeling the Astrodome and other possibilities for the space.
So, do you remember going to a game or concert at the Astrodome? Are you excited about the plans to revamp the space, or do you think it should be torn down? I want to hear your thoughts!
