Chicago, IL: 1934-1999 Chicago International Amphitheater (Amphitheatre)

(Satellite, it was in the northwest quadrant of Halsted and 43rd Streets)

History and seven images

EpsteinGlobal
[Abraham Epstein was the architect for this building. It became the prototype for convention buildings.]

In about seven months, the International Amphitheater was built in 1934 to replace the horse auction barn that was part of the destruction of the 1934 stock yard fire, the worst fire in Chicago since 1871. It was demolished in 1999 as part of a City effort to redevelop the stock yards as an industrial park. Its 12,000 seats hosted the Beatles' first appearance in Chicago and the 1968 Democratic National Convention. For arena shows such as livestock exhibitions, circuses, hockey, etc. it held 9000 seats. When the stockyards closed in 1971, it lost its livestock events. In 1979 it lost the circus to Rosemont Horizon. By 1983 it lost all of the shows to newer venues and lay dormant until 1987 when it was part of an urban-renewal project. [WTTW, ChicagoTribune, ScottyMoore]

Marty Peters posted three photos with the comment: "Chicago International Amphitheater! Lots of great wrestling shows there!!!"

[The are lots of comments about what shows people saw here.]

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Gregory Fruhauff posted
Professional Wrestling at the International Amphitheater...
[There are lots of comments and a photo of Evel Knievel jumping some busses.]
Chicago History posted
(1968) Chicago International Amphitheater - 4220 S. Halsted Street. This picture was taken from the back of the Amphitheatre and the view is looking east.
Growing up in Chicago posted
1968 - International Amphitheatre - 42 & South Halsted - opened in 1934, demolished 1999

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Jay B. Hornocker posted
The Beatles performing in 1966 at Chicago’s International Amphitheater, at 4220 South Halsted Street.
 Via Elin B Papciak

In addition to its original function of livestock shows for the Union Stock Yard, it established Chicago as the convention capital. It pioneered the use of air conditioning and media space. Coaxial cables allowed the Democratic and Republican National Conventions to be seen nationwide for the first time in their history. In addition to the infamous 1968 convention, it hosted four other national conventions, rock concerts, etc. [EncyclopediaChicago]

See ScottyMoore for much more information.

Kurt Winkleman posted three photos with the comment: "Chicago’s International Amphitheatre 4220 South Halsted Street Opened: on December 1, 1934, and was Demolished: on August 3, 1999. What concerts or other events did you see at the International Amphitheater?"

[I didn't look at the 692 comments.]

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Jeffery Shingles posted
Wrestling Roller Derby Car Shows Boxing Concerts and my Favorite Chicago Public league Boys HS Basketball City Championship also home of the Bulls before they moved to the Stadium.

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This photo of the previous facility that was destroyed by the 1934 fire is what motivated writing these notes.

Rick Wilson posted
The Dexter Pavilion at 4220 S Halsted. Built in 1885 and destroyed in the Great Stockyard Fire of 1934. It was replaced by the International Amphitheater.
Tom Krupica Prob a drawing. They always have this big flat expanse of land in front

Rick Wilson commented on his post
Tom Krupica Rick Wilson strange ground. Too flat

The eleven 200' solid steel arch trusses were the largest in the world.

EpsteinGlobal

By designing and building it in about seven months, they finished it Dec 1, 1934, just in time for the annual International Livestock Exposition that had been scheduled Dec 1-8.

EpsteinGlobal

They repaired or replaced several of the other buildings destroyed by the fire. "All of these buildings, including the Amphitheatre, were constructed for $4M ($71.4M in 2016), and, at the time, it was the largest building program in Chicago since the beginning of the Great Depression." These projects pulled the engineering firm out of its severe Depression Era slump because it led to more commissions. [EpsteinGlobal]

EpsteinGlobal

After reading several Department of Transportation descriptions of new bridge projects, I thought Design-Build was a 21st Century development. Obviously, Epstein probably practiced it in 1934 to get the replacement built before the scheduled annual exhibition. But they helped institutionalize the new project delivery method in the 1950s. So DoTs are over a half century behind the times.

Epstein-company, "50s" rollover

1938 Aerial Photo from ILHAP

Bonus

The precursor to the United Center.

Historic Chicago posted,cropped
Demolition of the Chicago Stadium (1995)