Cleveland Arena
Cleveland Arena was an arena in Cleveland, Ohio. It was built and privately financed by local businessman Albert C. Sutphin during the height of the Great Depression in 1937 as a playing site for Sutphin's AHL team, the Cleveland Barons.[1] Later it hosted Sutphin's BAA's Cleveland Rebels and Nick Mileti's NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers and the WHA's Cleveland Crusaders. The arena was located at 3717 Euclid Avenue, and seated 9,900 in the stands and 12,500+ for events such as boxing where floor seating was available.[1]
The facility was also a second home arena for the NBA Cincinnati Royals, who played more than 40 of their home games there, 1966-70. The Royals were crucial in spurring a NBA expansion team for Cleveland in 1970.[citation needed]
The arena was also the site of the Moondog Coronation Ball, considered the first rock and roll concert on March 21, 1952, organized by Alan Freed. The concert was shut down by the fire authorities due to overcrowding after the first song - it was estimated that 20,000 individuals were either in the arena or trying to enter it, when the capacity was roughly half that.
While the arena was a showpiece when it opened,[1] by the time it closed in 1974 it had become decrepit and lacked adequate parking. It was replaced by the Coliseum at Richfield. It was demolished in 1977. The headquarters of the Cleveland Chapter of the American Red Cross now occupies the site.
References[edit]
- ^ a b c George Condon (1995). "Chapter 7, Sutphin's Surprise". The Man in the Arena: The Life and Times of A.C. Sutphin. The A.C. Sutphin Foundation. pp. 51–67. ISBN 0-9649900-1-6.
External links[edit]
- Cleveland Arena (Encyclopedia of Cleveland History)
- Arenas by Munsey & Suppes
Preceded by first arena |
Home of the Cleveland Cavaliers 1970 – 1974 |
Succeeded by Coliseum at Richfield |
Preceded by first arena |
Home of the Cleveland Crusaders 1972 – 1974 |
Succeeded by Coliseum at Richfield |
|
Coordinates: 41°30′14″N 81°39′40″W / 41.50389°N 81.66111°W
- Buildings and structures demolished in 1977
- Sports venues in Cleveland, Ohio
- History of Cleveland, Ohio
- Defunct basketball venues in the United States
- Defunct indoor arenas in the United States
- Indoor ice hockey venues in the United States
- Basketball venues in Ohio
- Cleveland Barons (1937–73)
- Cleveland Rebels
- Cleveland Cavaliers venues
- World Hockey Association venues
- Basketball Association of America venues
- Buildings and structures completed in 1937
- Music venues in Cleveland, Ohio
- Defunct sports venues in Ohio
- Demolished music venues in the United States