Chicago Stadium
Paddy Harmon sank his entire fortune into the Chicago Stadium project. He borrowed $600,000 from James E. Norris to fund the construction. The building opened on the 28th of March 1929, just eight months after breaking ground in July 1928. Harmon spent $2.5 million of his own money and took on massive debt. Eric Hall designed the arena with Art Deco flourishes like flattened columns and relief sculptures. His philosophy stated that the man paying the lowest admission price had as much right to see the show as those sitting ringside. Harmon became president but lost control to shareholders shortly after completion. He died less than a year later in a car crash. At his death, he left only his shares in the stadium and $2.50 cash for his widow and daughter. Friends paid for his funeral inside the very building he built.
A 3,663-pipe Barton organ filled the air with sound during games. Al Melgard played this instrument for decades while hosting hockey matches. CBS announcer Dan Kelly once reported feeling the broadcast booth shake during a series-clinching goal against New York Rangers fans. The dressing rooms sat underneath the seats with a cramped corridor leading to the ice. This passage featured twenty-two steps that became legendary among players. A German Shepherd reportedly wandered the bowels at night serving as security. Bill Wirtz installed his yacht horn Kahlenberg Q-3 into the building during the 1973 Stanley Cup Finals. Fans cheered loudly through national anthems sung by Wayne Messmer. Denizens of the second balcony added sparklers and flags to the occasion. The mid-1980s saw Bulls games introduce starting lineups under spotlights amid darkness. Tommy Edwards introduced teams accompanied by Sirius by The Alan Parsons Project. Ray Clay continued this tradition after Edwards departed.
The largest recorded crowd for an NHL game reached 20,960 spectators on the 10th of April 1982. This playoff match pitted the Blackhawks against Minnesota North Stars. The stadium hosted the first NFL playoff game in December 1932 between Chicago Bears and Portsmouth Spartans. Snowstorms forced the game indoors where the Bears won 9, 0. The Blackhawks won their last Stanley Cup at home in 1938 defeating Toronto Maple Leafs 4, 1. Bobby Hull scored twice in Game 1 of the 1961 finals against Detroit Red Wings. The team lost all five subsequent series appearances from 1962 through 1992. Michael Jordan scored 61 points on the 16th of April 1987 becoming only Wilt Chamberlain to top 3,000 points in a season. The Bulls won three straight NBA titles between 1991 and 1993. They clinched their second championship at home in 1992 against Portland Trail Blazers. Scottie Pippen organized his final event there on the 9th of September 1994 as part of Push-Excel program.
Five presidential nominating conventions took place within these walls. Franklin D. Roosevelt secured nominations in 1932, 1940, and 1944 while hosting Democratic gatherings. Herbert C. Hoover won the Republican nomination in 1932 before losing to Roosevelt. Thomas E. Dewey claimed the Republican ticket in 1944 also losing to FDR. A crowd of over one million people attended a 1936 rally for Roosevelt though stadium capacity held only 25,000. More than 200,000 attendees overwhelmed the venue during that event. Anton J. Cermak died inside after an assassination attempt on President-elect Franklin Roosevelt in 1933. Roy Rogers proposed to Dale Evans backstage during a rodeo in 1946. Months after winning gold at Winter Olympics, Peggy Fleming drew large crowds with Ice Capades shows in 1968. Disney on Parade launched the 25th of December 1969 through NBC and Walt Disney Productions joint venture.
Chicago Stadium closed its doors permanently in 1994 after hosting final events. CNN televised the demolition process showing fans crying as wrecking balls struck the structure. The site now serves as a parking lot for United Center across Madison Street. The console of the Barton organ resides in Phil Maloof residence in Las Vegas Nevada. Propane tank explosions destroyed both pipe organs in October 1996 leaving only the console intact. Michael Jordan keeps the center portion of Bulls floor in his trophy room at North Carolina mansion. A pavement plaque reading Remember The Roar stands behind Blackhawks statues north of United Center. Two friezes from the stadium were incorporated into St Ignatius College Prep School building. People's Stadium Parking signs remain visible on two main lots still used by current arena. The last analog game clock in any NHL arena stood until replaced the 21st of September 1975. That Bulova Sports Timer featured four-sided displays with concentric penalty timers illuminated during gameplay.
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Common questions
Who funded the construction of Chicago Stadium and how much did he spend?
Paddy Harmon sank his entire fortune into the Chicago Stadium project and spent $2.5 million of his own money while borrowing $600,000 from James E. Norris to fund the construction.
When did the Chicago Stadium open and who designed it?
The building opened on the 28th of March 1928 after breaking ground in July 1928 and Eric Hall designed the arena with Art Deco flourishes like flattened columns and relief sculptures.
What was the largest recorded crowd for an NHL game at Chicago Stadium?
The largest recorded crowd for an NHL game reached 20,960 spectators on the 10th of April 1982 during a playoff match pitting the Blackhawks against Minnesota North Stars.
Which presidents held nominating conventions inside Chicago Stadium?
Franklin D. Roosevelt secured nominations in 1932, 1940, and 1944 while hosting Democratic gatherings and Herbert C. Hoover won the Republican nomination in 1932 before losing to Roosevelt.
Where is the console of the Barton organ located today?
The console of the Barton organ resides in Phil Maloof residence in Las Vegas Nevada after propane tank explosions destroyed both pipe organs in October 1996 leaving only the console intact.