The International Amphitheatre was an indoor arena located in Chicago, Illinois, that opened in 1934 and was demolished in 1999. It was located on the west side of Halsted Street, at 42nd Street, on the city's south side, in the Canaryville neighborhood, adjacent to the Union Stock Yards.

History

thumb|The Amphitheatre was adjacent to the Union Stock Yards

The Amphitheatre opened on November 30, 1934. It was built for $1.5 million by the Stock Yard company principally to host the International Livestock Exhibition. A further $5 million renovation was planned, and it was intended that Loyola basketball would remain tenants for at least five years.

The sprawling venue was difficult to maintain and struggled to attract enough events to pay for its upkeep. After passing through the hands of multiple owners, including the city, demolition commenced in August of 1999. An Aramark Uniform Services plant is located on the site once occupied by the Amphitheatre. Part of the former convention hall extension still remains standing and is occupied by Lakeshore Beverage.

Events and tenants

The North American International Livestock Exposition was held at the arena until several years after the Union Stock Yards closed in July 1971, when it relocated to Louisville, Kentucky.

The 1968 Democratic National Convention was one of the most tumultuous political conventions in American history, noted for anti-war protests.

Sports

Televised boxing and wrestling were held at the venue for decades, making it well-known across the United States. It was also the home of the Chicago Bulls during their inaugural season in 1966–67. The team played once time at the Chicago Coliseum, a playoff game in their first season, as no other arena was available for a date with the St. Louis Hawks. The Bulls moved permanently to Chicago Stadium, where they remained until 1993, when they relocated to the United Center.

The Amphitheatre was also the primary home of the Chicago Cougars of the WHA from 1972 to 1975. It was originally intended to be a temporary home for the Cougars, but the permanent solution, the Rosemont Horizon, was not completed until 1980, five years after the team folded and a year after the WHA ceased operation.

TNT Motorsports started their 1989 Monster Truck Challenge point season with five shows at the Amphitheatre between April 23 and 25. Grave Digger driven by Dennis Anderson won 4 of the 5 shows. The event was known for several accidents with trucks hitting the wall by the tunnel. USA-1 hit on consecutive races during the first show and Stomper hit the wall on the fourth show.

The Chicago Public League 1991 tournament at the Amphitheatre, won by Marshall High School, was featured in the documentary film Hoop Dreams.

Concerts and entertainment

Notable performers at the venue included The Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Rush, Santana, Selena, Ike & Tina Turner, Grateful Dead, Van Halen, Aerosmith, and The Jackson 5. The Amphitheatre is noted as the site of one of Elvis Presley’s most notable concerts, when the singer wore his legendary gold lamé suit for the first time, in 1957. On September 5, 1964, and August 12, 1966, The Beatles performed at the Amphitheatre. The 1966 show was the first show of what proved to be their last tour.

See also

  • Logistics of the 1952 Democratic and Republican National Conventions

References

  • International Amphitheatre article in the Encyclopedia of Chicago
  • International Amphitheatre at WTTW