Valley Arena Gardens
Arena in Massachusetts / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Valley Arena Gardens, most commonly referred to as the Valley Arena, was a sporting and entertainment venue in Holyoke, Massachusetts, best known for hosting weekly boxing matches which included Rocky Marciano's debut professional fight.[8] Though best known for its history as a boxing venue, the Valley Arena also hosted wrestling, basketball, roller hockey, miniature golf and featured its own restaurant.[9] As a nightclub and theatre in the round venue it also hosted an array of vaudeville acts such as The Three Stooges and Bela Lugosi,[10][11] as well as renowned musicians including Count Basie, Duke Ellington, The Ink Spots, The Dorsey Brothers, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Sarah Vaughan, and The Temptations.[8][12] In an interview with Woody Herman and band alumni, Jack Dulong, saxophonist and member of Herman's "Third Herd", described it as "an 'institution' for big bands."[13]
The Old Gas House[1] | |
Former names | Holyoke City Gas Works |
---|---|
Address | 560 S Bridge Street |
Location | Holyoke, Massachusetts |
Capacity | 1,600–4,000[2][3][4][lower-alpha 1] |
Construction | |
Built | 1884[5] 1926 (converted to arena) |
Opened | 1926 (1926) |
Renovated | 1944, 1953 |
Closed | 1960 |
Demolished | 1964[6] |
Architect | Oscar Beauchemin[7][lower-alpha 2] |
Plagued by several fires, at least one of which was from suspected arson, as well as a decline in attendance with the emergence of television, the venue was closed following the 3rd such fire on May 12, 1960.[1][14] After considerable delay, the building was ultimately demolished in August 1964.[15]
Today the space where it once stood is occupied by the Valley Arena Park, a small recreational green space managed by the city.[16]