Venues & Clubs of the Past

[Ric]

Folks sometimes inquire as to where exactly certain boxing venues of the past were located. Here, we offer an ever-growing list of former venues.

We begin with New York: the Mecca of professional boxing since the early 1900s.

NEW YORK STATE VENUES
Arctic Oval: Johnson & Varick Avenue, Brooklyn
Bay Ridge Stadium (also known as MacArthur Stadium): 15th Avenue & 86th Street, Brooklyn
Boxing Drome Athletic Club (AC): Westchester Avenue & East 167th Street, the Bronx
Boyle’s Thirty Acres: Montgomery Street at Florence Street-–south side of Montgomery Street, east of Cornelison Avenue, a mile west of the Grove Street PATH station, Jersey City (also known as Tex “Rickard’s Arena”; built for the July 2, 1921 Carpentier-Dempsey title bout; demolished June 1927; now the site of Hudson County Schools of Technology & the Montgomery Gardens Housing Project)
Broadway Arena (Broadway Sporting Club): 944-46 Halsey Street, Bushwick section, Brooklyn (Tuesday night shows; capacity: 4,500; closed in 1951--an apartment house & adjoining park now occupy this site). Its license was granted Jan. 27, 1914.
Brooklyn Elks Lodge (1930s): Livingston St & Boerum Place.
Bronx Coliseum: 1100 East 177th Street at Devoe Avenue, adjacent to the Starlight Amusement Park, the Bronx (commonly known as the "New York Coliseum"-–but it is not to be confused with the venue of the same name built in 1954 at Columbus Circle, Manhattan; capacity 16,800 to 20,800; sample show: Jan 24, 1934; it was demolished in 1997)
Bronx Velodrome: east side of Broadway at 225th Street, the Bronx (capacity: 23,000; see June 26, 1922; burned to the ground in the summer of 1930; the site of the Marble Hill Houses since 1951)
Brown's Gym: (23rd Street, Queens): Popular New York City venue of the early 20th century; also known as Bill Brown's 23rd Street Club. Sometimes called Brown's Gym A.A. at Far Rockaway, Queens.
Columbus Sporting Club (SC), Yonkers. Exact address unknown.
Commonwealth SC: 14 East 135th Street, Harlem (formerly called the “Harlem” and the “Olympic”; opened in the 1910s & closed in 1931; Saturday night shows; Charley Phil Rosenburg was a favorite here in the 1920s; as of 1998 it is a small park adjoining the Abraham Lincoln Houses)
Coney Island Stadium: Surf Avenue near West 6th Street, Coney Island, Brooklyn (also known as “Fugazy Bowl” in the 1930s when promoter Humbert J. Fugazy promoted boxing shows here; lasted from the 20s thru the 30s; capacity: up to 12,000; sample show: June 25, 1926 between Ruby Goldstein & Ace Hudkins)
Coney Island Velodrome: Neptune Avenue & West 12th Street, Brooklyn (built in 1930; capacity 10,000; last known major show: Sept 4, 1950; torn down & replaced by high-rise housing)
Crescent AC: Shore Road & 85th Street, Brooklyn
Dexter Park: north side of Jamaica Avenue, between Elderts Lane (since renamed Dexter Court) & 76th Street, Woodhaven, Queens (capacity: 15,000-plus)
Dyckman Oval (20s & 30s): bordered by Nagle Avenue, Academy Street, Tenth Avenue and 204th Street
http://www.washington-heights.us/histor ... 00567.html
Eastern Parkway Arena: 1435 Eastern Parkway near Howard Avenue, Brownsville, Brooklyn (built in the mid-1940s as an in-door roller skating rink; known as the "House of Upsets" and for its televised Monday night fights in the 1950s; matchmaker: Teddy Brenner (who became the MM for Madison Square Garden from 1959-79); capacity: 4,500; last main event: May 16, 1955, although shows continued there for a few years afterward; eventually torn down and became a parking lot.)
Empire AC: 1910s -- 155th Street & Eighth Avenue, NY. (Also, see Star Casino below.)
Fairmont AC: 251 East 137th Street near Third Avenue, Mott Haven section, South Bronx (owned & run by Billy Gibson; Gene Tunney fought here in 1915; when sportswriter Damon Runyon saw Jack Dempsey fight here on either June 24 or July 8, 1916, he coined Dempsey's nickname: the "Manassa Mauler")
Fort Hamilton Arena: Fort Hamilton Parkway & 99th Street, Brooklyn
Freeport Stadium, Freeport, Long Island: an outdoor arena used primarily for demolition and stock car racing in the 1950s-1970s. It transformed itself several times on Saturday nights to make it a boxing venue, with wooden bleachers that were permanent seating from the races and folding chairs for ringside. It brought in primarily New York and New Jersey/Philly boxers. It closed down in mid-1970s. A huge food and house supply warehouse (BJ's) now stands in its place.
Greenwood Olympia/Greenwood A.C., Brooklyn, NY
Jamaica Arena: 91-16 (Archer Avenue) & 144th Place, Jamaica, Long Island.
Lenox S. C. (or New Lenox S. C.): See Star Casino (Harlem) below.
Long Acre Club (or Long Acre Athletic Club): was an early 1900s New York City boxing venue, located on West Twenty-ninth Street. In the spring of 1911 a cooling plant was installed, making it "one of the coolest spots in the city."
Long Beach Stadium: Long Beach Boulevard & East Harrison, Long Beach
Long Island City Bowl: See Madison Square Garden Bowl below.
Luna Park Arena: Surf Avenue & West 10th Street, Coney Island, Brooklyn
MacArthur Stadium: See Bay Ridge Stadium above.
Madison Square Garden (there were four versions): 51 Madison Avenue–from 26th to 27th Street between Madison Avenue & Park Avenue South(Fourth Avenue) (site of the first two MSG venues-–the first existing from 1879 to 1890; the second-–perhaps the most memorable of them all-–lasted from 1890 to 1925); 825 Eighth Avenue-–on the west side of Eighth Avenue between 49th & 50th Street (3rd version: from 1925 through 1967); and 33rd Street between Seventh & Eighth Avenues, above Pennsylvania Station (the present Madison Square Garden).
Madison Square Garden Bowl: south side of Northern Boulevard at 45th Street, Long Island City, Queens (also known as the “Long Island City Bowl” & “The Graveyard of Champions” because no reigning champion ever successfully defended his title here; capacity: 72,000; opened in 1932, but by 1939 rarely used as a boxing venue; site of four heavyweight title contests between 1932-35, including the June 21, 1932 Schmeling-Sharkey bout)
Manhattan Casino: See Rockland Palace below.
Manhattan Center: 311 West 34th Street, Manhattan
Mecca Sporting Arena: 443 East 14th Street, Manhattan
Mitchel Field Arena, Mineola, Long Island: 333 Earle Ovington Boulevard? See
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.c ... %20Mitchel
National AC: See Pioneer Sporting Club below.
New Coliseum Athletic Club, 2614 Washington Blvd
New Lenox Sporting Club (See Star Casino below)
New York AC: Seventh Avenue & 59th Street.
New York Coliseum: See Bronx Coliseum above.
New York Hippodrome: Sixth Avenue from 43rd to 44th Street, 1120 Sixth Avenue, Manhattan (capacity: 5,200; existed from 1905 to 1939)
Park Arena: 450 East 169th Street, the Bronx
Pioneer Sporting Club: 155 East 24th Street, on the north side of 24th Street between Lexington and Third Avenue, Manhattan (originally known as the National Athletic Club; it generally had Tuesday night shows; capacity: 3,500; sample bout: March 26, 1909--Stan Ketchel vs Philadelphia Jack O’Brien. Perhaps another version opened Oct. 1914 at 340 West 44th St, in the former Amsterdam Opera House, with Tom O'Rouke as matchmaker. See the Oct. 28 NYT.))
Polo Grounds: Eighth Avenue (Fredrich Douglas Blvd) & 157th Street, North Harlem section of Manhattan (circa 1891; razed in 1964)
Prospect Hall: Prospect & Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn
Queensboro Arena: 29-49 Northern Boulevard, Long Island City, Queens, near the Queensboro Bridge Plaza (lasted from the 1920s thru the 1940s; capacity: 4,000)
Queensboro Stadium: Jackson Avenue near Skillman, Long Island City, Queens
Ridgewood Grove SC: northeast corner of St. Nicholas Avenue at Palmetto Street on the Brooklyn-Queens border, 341-343 St. Nicholas Avenue, Queens (existed 1926 to 1956; Saturday night shows; capacity: 4,000-5,000; also known as the “New Ridgewood Grove”; sample show: Davey Abad vs Tony Canzoneri Nov 6, 1926)
Rockland Palace: 280 West 155th Street, Harlem, on the southeast corner of Eighth Avenue & 155th Street (Harlem’s leading fight club in the 30s & 40s; capacity: 5,000; also known as the “Manhattan Casino” at 2926 Eighth Avenue; sample show: Benny Leonard vs. Freddie Welsh May 28, 1917; closed down in the early 1950s; now the site of a parking lot)
Sea Gate AC: operated in the 1930s; located somewhere in Brooklyn.
Sherwood Oval: Merrick Road & Farmers Boulevard, Westbury, Long Island
Stauch’s Arena: Stillwell Avenue & Bowery, Coney Island, Brooklyn
Star Casino: 105 East 107th Street, East Harlem, on 107th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues (also known as the “Empire A.C.” Most commonly known as the “New Lenox SC.” Existed from the 1910s thru the 1930s. Wednesday night shows. Now the site of a parking lot.)
Starlight Park (1930s): located on the east and west ends of the Bronx River between E. 174th Street and E. 172nd Street, the Bronx. (Also said to have been located at East 177th & Bronx River.) Was in the process of being renovated, as of the late 1990s. The renovations of Starlight Park will include new ball fields, additional green space, improved access to the river’s edge, a buffer zone of trees blocking the Sheridan Expressway, and parking.
Sterling Oval: Teller Avenue & East 164th Street, the Bronx
St. Nicholas Arena: 69 West 66th Street, on the northeast corner of 66th Street & Columbus Avenue, Manhattan (also known as “The Rink”; Monday night shows; used for boxing from 1906 until May 28, 1962-–the last main event. Capacity: 4,000)
Sunnyside Garden Arena: 44-16 Queens Boulevard, Sunnyside, Queens, between 44th & 45th Streets (lasted from 1926 until razed in December 1977; capacity: 2,400). As of 2012, it is the site of a Wendy's Hamburger Restaurant. Efforts are being made to place a bronze plaque at the site to commemorate its former boxing history.
Twentieth Century Club (owned & run by Mike Jacobs): exact location in Manhattan unknown.
Whirlwind A.C., 314 Grand St, NYC. Its license was granted Jan. 27, 1914.
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National Guard Armories (shows conducted in the 1920s & 1930s)--
9th Regiment Armory: 125 West 14th Street, Manhattan
14th Regiment Armory: Eighth Avenue & 15th Street, Brooklyn
15th Infantry Armory: Fifth Avenue & East 142nd Street, Manhattan
22nd Engineers Regiment Armory: Fort Washington Avenue/Broadway & 168th Street, Manhattan (capacity: 4,000-plus)
27th Division Train Regiment Armory, Brooklyn. Exact address unknown.
69th Regiment Armory: Lexington Avenue from 25th Street to 26th Street, 68 Lexington Avenue, Manhattan (built in 1904; home court of the Knicks professional basketball team from 1946 thru the 1950s; capacity 5,000; still in existence)
71st Infantry Armory: Park Avenue & 34th Street, Manhattan
102nd Medical Regiment Armory: Columbus Avenue & 66th Street, Manhattan. (There was also a 102nd Engineers Regiment Armory, which may be the same venue.)
106th Infantry Regiment Armory: Atlantic & Bedford Avenues, Brooklyn.
212th Anti-Aircraft Regiment Armory: Columbus Avenue & 62nd Street, Manhattan. (Believed to have opened as a boxing venue Nov. 11, 1927. See the day-of NY TIMES.)
Most of these places closed down by the late 1940s/early 1950s.

Most of the above information on New York venues comes from Lawrence S. Ritter’s book entitled East Side, West Side (1998). Check it out: it contains many photos and stories about the above-listed NY boxing (and baseball) venues. Other information comes from my research of contemporary New York Times newspaper articles.

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CALIFORNIA:
All kinds of great information about California boxing can be found here:
http://pub97.ezboard.com/fcyberboxingzonefrm22
Assembly A.C., Los Angeles (1920s)
Association Club, San Francisco (1920s)
Bicycle (Bike) Stadium, Los Angeles (early 1920s).
California Hall, San Francisco (mid-1920s)
Chief Petty Officers Club, San Pedro (1920s). Henry Lee was the director in 1921. Matchmaker during at least 1923 was Henry Gold and/or a Mr. Lucas, depending on the source.Promoter: W.W. McClellan, per the July 23, 1923 LOS ANGELES TIMES. Effective mid-December 1921, bouts were changed from Wednesdays to Saturdays, to accommodate military schedules. THE LOS ANGELES TIMES of January 1922 states that the club was located at the Point Fermin (aka Firmin) Arena at that time. The CPOs opened a new boxing arena April 19, 1923, per the L.A. TIMES.
Compton American Legion Post No. 152 (early 1920s). Bouts held on Fridays.
Culver City Stadium (opened June 19, 1924)
Doyle's Arena/Pavilion, Vernon. Cards held on Tuesdays. Promoter: Jack Doyle. Matchmaker: Wad Wadham & Tom Doyle (brother). Opened in 1914, the Arena was largely responsible for making boxing popular in Southern California. It was closed down August 21, 1923. Jack Doyle then opened the 7500-seat Vernon Coliseum August 28, 1923, at 32nd and Sante Fe. July 22, 1927, newspaper item: "Jack Doyle's old Vernon arena, scene of many Southern California's boxing matches during the four-round days, was virtually destroyed by fire early this morning. A nearby baseball park where the blaze is believed to have originated, was partially destroyed. The loss was estimated at $100,000."
Dreamland Arena, San Diego (1920s)
Dreamland Rink/Arena, San Francisco (From 1906 to ?)
East Bay A.C., Oakland (1920s)
El Rio Arena, El Rio. (1920s) Manager: Ben Whitman.
Grand Olympic Auditorium, 1801 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles (August 5, 1925 to present).
Official site: http://www.grandoly.com/home.html
History: http://members.tripod.com/newsbrown/olympic.html
Hollywood Legion Stadium, Hollywood:
http://www.hollywoodphotographs.com/sea ... =-1&cat=17
Cards held on Fridays. Referee from the start until ?: George V. Blake. Also from the opening of the HALS, manager: Roy Marshall, and Matchmaker: Frank Crowley – who both abruptly resigned July 23, 1923. After their resignations, Tom Kennedy became the matchmaker until March 24, 1925. He went on to act in the movies, and became one of the original "Keystone Cops." His first card was conducted August 24, 1923.
Tom Gallerey replaced Kennedy. He quit Nov. 11, 1931. (He was a child actor.) Charlie McDonald took over for 15 years. On Jan. 1, 1948, Bobby Jackson fills in until June. On July 2 Baron Henry von Stumme takes over until June 1950. Then Cal Working until Oct. 1, 1953, to be replaced by Nap Navarro, who resigned Oct. 1, 1955.
The HALS opened as an 8,000-seat venue in August 12, 1921 under the auspices of World War I war veterans. It was closed down for a short time in a little later for a remodel to add a cover for the formerly open-air venue. It was once again closed briefly on July 11, 1923, to sink the boxing ring six feet, increase the pitch of ringside seats so that all had a good view of the ring, and to add a ventilation system that recycled the air every 10 minutes. According to THE LOS ANGELES TIMES of the day, the venue now accommodated 5100 people.
Huntington Beach A.C. (1920s). Cards conducted on Fridays.
Floral City A.C., San Mateo (early 1920s)
Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles (1901-1904)(Promoter: Tom McCarey)
L Street Arena, Sacramento (1920s)
Legion Stadium, Covina (1920s)
Long Beach Athletic Arena (early 1920s). Manager: Joe Doro or Lou Daro, depending on the source.
Los Angeles Athletic Club (L.A.A.C.)(Mercury street?). Matchmaker: George V. Blake; Promoter: Charles Keppen. Cards generally held on Thursdays, monthly in the early 1920s. Then semimonthly for a while.
Lyceum A.C., 321 South Spring, Los Angeles (1920s)
Madison Square Garden Boxing Club, Los Angeles. (1920s). Cards held Wednesdays. Matchmaker during the early 1920s: Fred Winsor.
Main Street A.C., Los Angeles (1920s)
National Hall, San Francisco (From ? to ?)
Naud Junction Pavilion (1905-1910)
New Cribb (replaced the Southern California Club) at #218 North Main Street, Los Angeles.
Newsboys’ Club, 209 Court Street (Court & Spring Streets), Los Angeles. Early 1920s. (Manager: Carlo Curtiss, as of 1923.) Per the August 20, 1923 LOS ANGELES TIMES, the address of this club was given as 108 North Spring Street.
Oakland Auditorium, Oakland (From ? to ?)
Royal A.C., San Francisco (early 1920s)
San Fernando A.C. (1920s)
Sunmaid Club, Fresno (late 1920s/1930s)
Sunset Pier, Venice, CA. (1920s: per THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, it revived boxing July 4, 1923) Matchmaker: Pop Nealis; Promoter: Dick Donlin.
Union League Club, 3rd & Hill Streets, Los Angeles (1920s)
Urbita Club, San Bernardino (early 1920s)
Western A.C., 534½ Spring Street, became a new club under the ownership of Jack Dempsey and his brother, and re-opened Feb. 12, 1925.
Wilmington Bowl, Wilmington (1920s)
Woodward’s Pavilion, San Francisco (1910s)
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Philadelphia Venues:
http://www.phillyboxinghistory.com/arenas.htm
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WASHINGTON STATE: (I live in Washington state, and have researched dozens of local newspapers from circa 1900 thru the 1950s, so I have a particular interest in old-time venues of this area.)
From at least 1910 thru 1933, prize-fighting (professional boxing) was illegal under Washington state law. But state law permit amateur "sparring or fencing amongst members of private clubs for exercise only or for the enjoyment of their fraternal brothers." Thus, virtually all bouts in the state were usually held in the various American Legion posts, Eagles, Elks, Knights of Columbus, Moose Lodges, and other private athletic clubs for their "members." Anyone wishing to witness a match was required to obtain a membership card and levied an assessment for the seat. The boxers were paid "training expenses." Professional boxing was legalized, effective June 8, 1933. (Thus, I am avoiding listing every such private club that were found in almost every city of the state during this period, except for a few.)
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American Athletic Club (A.C.), Spokane (early 1930s)
American Legion Auditorium at 2712 Broadway, Everett (1920s)
Arena, Castle Rock (1930s)
Arena A.C., Everett (mid-1920s)
Artic Club, Seattle (1920s)
Athletic Club, Wenatchee (early 1920s)
Auditorium, Wenatchee (1920s/30s): tickets were 40 cents General Admission, students 25 cents, Reserved Seats 75 cents, and women were admitted free with a male escort.
Auditorium Theater, Spokane (early 1930s)
Austin & Bishop: 1630 Ninth Avenue (9th & Olive Streets, Seattle) (1906 to at least the early 1920s). Run by Lonnie Austin and George Washington “Biddy” Bishop.
Baker A.C., Concrete (early 1920s)
Barclay Theater, Leavenworth (early 1930s)
Bijou Theater, Aberdeen (1920s)
Boeing Pavilion (same as Seattle Pavilion?), 3rd & University Streets, Seattle (1920s)(it eventually became Blanc’s Cafe)
Bugle Band Arena, Mount Vernon (late 1920s)
Cascade A.C., Seattle (1930s), Matchmaker in 1920s: Jimmy Malone
Central Theater, Everett (circa 1905)
Chamber of Commerce Hall, Wenatchee (1920s)
Chelan County A.C., Leavenworth (early 1920s)
Civic Arena Playhouse, 4th Avenue North & Mercer Street, Seattle (1930s)
Civic Auditorium: 225 Mercer St, Seattle (this venue became known as the Opera House in the Seattle Center, and today is known as Marion Oliver McCall Hall).
Columbia A.C., Seattle (early 1930s)
Commercial Club, Wenatchee (1920s/30s)
Concrete Theater, Concrete (early 1920s)
Crystal Pool, 2033 Second Avenue (Metropolitan Building?) between Lenora & Virginia, Seattle (1915 thru the 1930s). Promoters early on: Lonnie Austin & Caruso (Dan) Salt. (They may have been brothers. See the July 20, 1925 SEATTLE DAILY TIMES.) The Crystal Pool was a giant public bathhouse that pumped in saltwater straight from Elliott Bay (Puget Sound), and operated between 1915 until it closed in the 1930s. It offered boxing, roller-skating and other sports in the winter, and swimming during the spring and summer. It was built on the former Bethel Temple. The building was bought by Bethel Temple in the 1940s and converted back into a church. Currently, it is being constructed into 22 or 23-story, multi-use highrise known as "Cristilla."
http://www.skyscrapers.com/re/en/wm/bu/101532/
Dreamland A.C.: 5439 South Union, Tacoma, WA (1920s)
Dreamland, Seattle (1910s)
Drydock A.C., Seattle (1910s)
Dupont A.C., Seattle (1910s)
E Street Auditorium, Tacoma (early 1930s)
Earl Faulkner American Legion Post, Everett (1920s). Named for the young soldier who was killed in France during World War I. This post exists to this day.
Earlwin Hall, Shelton (1920s)
Ed Ashing’s Gym (Ashing & Flanagan’s?) 911½ Tacoma Ave, Tacoma (debuted Oct. 1923)
Everett Athletic Club, 6th & Pacific, Everett (From about 1904 to 1906. Immediately after Johnny Crowe died of suspected injuries in this ring Sept. 28, 1906, the club was dismantled and boxing shut down in Everett for many years to come:
http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=063818)
Everett Eagles Airie No. 13, Everett (in 1922 the initiation fee was $10, and dues were $1each month)
Fort George Wright, near Spokane (1920s/30s)
Fort Lewis Gym, Tacoma (1920s/1930s)
Fraternal Hall, Everett (1910s)
Garden City A.C., Snohomish (1910s)
Garden City A.C., 12th & Pacific, Tacoma (debuted Dec. 23, 1929, and run by Eddie Marino)
Glide Rink, Tacoma (1910s to at least the early 1920s)
Golden Stars American Legion Post, Mount Vernon (mid 1920s)
Grand Theater, Aberdeen (from at least 1908 until 1930s), longtime referee: King Vanucie
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma (1920s/1930s). Cards held on Thursdays. Longtime referee: Harold Bird
Hiberian Hall, 9th & Yesler, Seattle (1910s)
Heilig Theater, Tacoma (late 1920s)
Hippodrome, Kelso (debuted Aug. 30, 1929 under the auspices of the Disabled War Veterans)
Hub City Athletic Association, Centralia (1920s)
I.O.O.F Hall, Stanwood (1910s)
Jones Hall, Hillyard (1920s)
Kay Street A.C., Tacoma (early 1920s)
Kelso Arena (debuted April 11, 1930): 1st & Pine, Kelso, WA
International A.C., Bellingham (early 1920s)
Labor Temple, Everett (1910s & early 1930s)
Labor Temple, Seattle (early 1930s)
Lake City A.C., Lake City, WA (1920s)
Liberty Hall, Bellingham (1920s to about 1933). Cards generally held on Wednesdays. Located where Commercial Street dead ends on Chestnut.
Liberty Hall, on Rockefeller Street Between Hewitt & California, Everett (1910s)
Lincoln A.C., Tacoma (1910s)
Long Lake, by Olympia (erected June 1927 by E.S. Stuard)
Lyric Theater, Raymond (early 1920s)
Metronome Hall, Centralia (late 1920s/early 1930s)
Midland Arena, South 38th & South Tacoma Way, Tacoma (1940s; promoter: Will Maylon)
Moose Hall, Aberdeen (1910s)
Municipal Auditorium, Chehalis (1920s/30s)
Mutual Athletic Assn., Wenatchee (debuted Nov. 1926)
National A.C., Seattle (early 1930s), Run by Nate Druximan and Harry Druxman, brothers who spelled their last names differently.
Northwest A.C., Tacoma (late 1920s/early 1930s): run by Dave Miller (who became Freddie Steele’s manager)
Olympia A.A., Olympia (1920s): matchmaker was Mel Brown until Feb. 8, 1927; then Jimmy Craig. Promoter: Jack Purcell.Until early 1927, it was located in an Elks or Eagles Lodge basement, then moved to the Duck Inn at 410 Columbia Street.
People's Theater, Everett (1910s)
Queen City A.C., Bellingham (1930s)
Redman Hall, Eatonville (1920s)
Rialto Theater, Centralia (early 1920s)
Rose Theater, Everett (1910s)
S.A.A.C., Spokane (1920s/30s)
Seattle Ice Arena: 5th and University Streets, Seattle (1920s/1930s)(Same as Seattle Civic Arena?)
Scenic Theatre, Leavenworth (early 1920s)
Smelter A.C., Tacoma (1920s/30s).
South Tacoma A.C., Tacoma (late 1920s/early 1930s), at Pythian Temple, 52nd & Union
Starlight A.C., Tacoma (1920s)
State Street Auditorium, Bellingham
Stevedores Union, 1400 Western Ave, Seattle (1910s)
Tivoli Theater, Seattle (1910s)
Trianon Hall, Norton Avenue between Hewitt & California, Everett (1940s)
White Center Athletic Club, White Center (early 1930s): Promoter during late 1920s was Floyd Johnson
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CANADA
Montreal (this city could be considered the Bantamweight Capital of the World, circa the late 1920s thru the middle 1930s, due to its emphasis on having the world's then-best bantams come to town to fight each other, and, in the 1930s, for 118-pound world titles):
Baseball Stadium: address unknown
Court Theatre: address unknown
Exchange Stadium: address unknown. (Perhaps on the east end of St. Catherine) Opened in June 1932. It was covered by an umbrella top in "gay colors" of oiled canvas. It was reinforced by heavy wood. Capacity: 3,000
Forum: located at 2313 Saint Catherine Street (St. Catherine & Atwater, just north of Square Cabot). The Forum existed from 1924 to 1996, and had a capacity of 11,000-14,000 for boxing. It was the pre-eminent boxing venue of Montreal from the 1920s up thru at least the 1950s. It was gutted, and is now a shopping and movie theater mall. Its grand history as a boxing venue gets virtually no mention in the memorabilia that the current Forum management displays on the walls of the upper floors.
Gayety Theatre: address unknown
International Sport Center: 860 St Catherine Street East, as stated in the Montreal Gazette, 11 January 1933, page 14.
Monument National: 1184 St. Laurent, a half-block north of the Chinatown arch. Opened on June 24, 1893. Built by the Association of St. Jean Baptiste of Montreal. Capacity: 1,400. Center of Yiddish performances from 1915-1957. Since 1971 it has been the National Theatre of Canada. Still in existence.
Mount Royal Arena: on Mount Royal St. between Clark St. and St. Urbain. The Montreal Canadiens fans "shook the rafters" here in the 1920s for six years before moving in 1926 to the Forum. Capacity: 6,000 to 8,000. The building later included a bakery and an upholstery shop. Demolished by fire Tuesday morning, Feb. 29, 2000. A new building is going up there presently (Sept. 2004).
http://www.geocities.com/sharut/arena.html
Regal Theatre: address unknown
St. Denis Theatre: 1594 St. Denis Rue. Still in existence as a music theatre primarily. Capacity: 2,380. Built in 1915.
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/ ... RTU0003081
Theatre Francais: address unknown

Quebec City--
Imperial Theatre: address unknown

Toronto (which, during the 1920s, presented many of the world's best flyweights):
Coliseum: address unknown
Arena Gardens: address unknown
Maple Leaf Gardens
Standard Theatre: corner of Dundas & Spadina Ave

Vancouver, B.C.--
Brighouse Arena: address unknown
Denman Auditorium (1930s)
Imperial Theatre (1920s)

Victoria, B.C.--
Tillicum Gymnasium (early 1930s)
__________________
OTHERS:
Astoria Arena, Astoria, Oregon (1920s)
Caledonian Park Hall, Newark NJ
Captain Mike Boyle's Knickerbocker Hall, Hoboken NJ
Cino Club, Cincinnati, OH (1910s)
Corryville, Cincinnati, OH (1910s)
Elks Temple Gym, Couer d’Alene, Idaho (1920s)
Elks Temple Gym, Lake City, Idaho (1920s)
Four-L Club, Couer d’Alene, Idaho (1920s/30s)
Howarth Hall, Wallace, Idaho (1920s)
International Fight Arena, Kansas City, Missouri (this 20-year-old facility burned May 20, 1929)
Keystone A.C., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1920s)
Laurel Garden, Newark, NJ: Popular during the 1920s and 1930s. Closed down May 30, 1953.
http://oldnewark.com/memories/sports/bodianlaurel.htm
Manhattan A.C., Butte, Montana (early 1920s)
Marigold Gardens, Chicago, IL
McGuigan's A.C., Harrison, NJ (aka "The Casino," among other nicknames)
Meadowbrook Bowl, in the Vailsburg section of Newark NJ
Miners Industrial Union Hall, Kellogg, Idaho (1920s)
Morning A.C., Mullan, Idaho (late 1910s/early 1920s): Established by former boxer Chet McIntyre of Seattle for the many miners in the area. Leo Lomski got his start here.
Olympic Club, Manila, Philippines (1920s). Run by Eddie Tait & Frank Churchill. World Champion Pancho Villa started here.
Owl Arena, Mexicali, Mexico (1920s)
Palais de Sports, Paris, France (from at least the early 1920s)
People's Theater, Cincinnati, OH (1910s)
Race Track, Alan, Idaho (1920s/1930s)
Rose City A.C., Portland, OR (1910s)
St. Bridget's Hall, Jersey City NJ
Twin City Bowl, Elizabeth NJ
Unknown name, boxing arena, Calexico, Mexico (opened summer of 1922)
Vendome Club, Newark NJ
Waldmann's Theatre, Newark NJ
Weare's Hall, West Hoboken NJ

[Jaclem]

Cincinnati - Music Hall...a venue mainly for classical music, but it also had a sports arena inside. I saw Archie Moore, Lightweight champion Wallace "Bud" Smith there, and Ezzard Charles, among others . located Central Parkway.

Cincinati Gardens. Still exists as far as I know. Used for Hockey and basketball and concerts but its biggest crowd was when it opened...Ezzard Charles vs. Joey Maxim....other fights presented Maxim vs. Lesnevich and Charles defended heavyweight crown ..kayo over Nick Barone.

Parkway Arena...Central Parkway. No longer in existance. Small outdoor venue, used mostly for wrestling in the summer, but also had some fights...saw Jimmy Carter vs. Bud Smith there before either became lightweigth champs. Also saw Smith vs. Joe Micelli. Most of the fights were by "club fighters"...a definition that hardly exists any more.

Why doesn't someone stop me???Just started out to name a few venues, in keeping with the thread, but then the memory takes over.

Tomato face..feel free to edit as you see fit!!!

[Matt]

OREGON
Portland Boxing Commission
Venues:
Rose City Athletic Club till 1918 located at East First and East Morrison streets.
11th Street Playhouse (1918-19)
Ice Palace
Heilig Theater
Armory
Ice Coliseum
Auditorium
Multnomah Stadium (Capacity around 30,000, for outdoor bouts)
Bachelors Club (prelim club in Portland's St. Johns neighborhood.)
Labor Temple (mid 30's)

Matchmakers/Promoters:
Tom Tracey (1917-19)
Jack Grant (1919-20)
Bobby Evans (1920-21)
Harry Hansen (1921- October 1925)
Joe Waterman (October 1925-June 1927)
Jack Capri (March-June 1927)
Joe Levy (June 1927?

Milwaukie Commission
Venue: Milwaukie Arena opened November 25, 1919 (Capacity 5500, 4500 after 1921 renovation)
Arena Manager and promoter: George Moore (1919-22)
Matchmaker: Frank Kendall

Others in Washington
Lois Theatre - Toppenish
Armory - Yakima formerly on 2nd and Walnut
Capitol Theatre (Yakima) - still in exsistance on 3rd Avenue, between Chestnut and Yakima Avenue.
Sports Arena (Yakima) - North First Street (promoter: Art Milibrandt)
Knights of Columbus Gym (Yakima)

Spokane
Natatorium Park (Outdoor Spokane fights early 30's, through 1934)
Gonzaga Stadium (Outdoor bouts from 1934, through late 40's)
Ferris Field (Outdoor bouts in late 40's and early 50's)
(State) Armory) Indoor bouts throuhout the majority of the 30's and on through the 40's)

[Matt]

Dreamland Rink in San Francisco was built after the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906, it seated 7000 and was open until 1928 when it was replaced by the "New Dreamland", the Dreamland Arena. The new arean seated 10,000, and it was still running shows in 1937 as far as I know. It ran shows on Friday, with wrestling on Tuesday, I believe.

The Association Club at 8th and Mission ran on Wednesdays from as early as 1916 until around 1922, with a brief return in 1924. It was located at 8th and Mission the cards were promoted by Al Young. The cards were usually filled with unknowns (at the time) who were trying to establish themselves. They usually had 7-8 bouts a show during the 4-round era.

San Francisco also ran Tuesday shows at Garibaldi Hall, California Hall, and the Arcadia Pavilion, off and on from 1920 till the mid 20's. At one point they attempted to run four clubs in one week. It only lasted one week though.

[Friedie]

Folks sometimes inquire as to where exactly certain boxing venues and athletic clubs of the past were located. Here, we offer a growing list of former venues.

some more examples from Germany:

Sportpalast, Berlin (9.000)
Westfalenhalle, Dortmund (18.000)

in both venues boxing was popular since the early 20ties. the "sportpalst" was "berlin's madison square garden". it existed till the 60ties.

[Ric]

Friedie, what about Luna Park, Berlin?
Schmeling fought there early on (mid-20s, I believe).
What do you know about IT'S history?

[Friedie]

Friedie, what about Luna Park, Berlin?
Schmeling fought there early on (mid-20s, I believe).
What do you know about IT'S history?

hi ric,

the "Luna Park" was only an amusement-park. to my knowledge only one (open-air) boxing-match took place there: in august, 1926 max schmeling won the german lightheavyweight championship against max dieckmann. schmeling knocked his opponent out in only 30 seconds !
the crowd was about 4.000 spectators.

8)

[Friedie]

"the Sportpalast is perhaps the most famous arena in Berlins past. The building was erected in 1910 as indoor ice rink. Since its construction the Sportpalast has out grown its original purpose. It has been used as a sports arena, a meeting hall and even concerts have been performed within its walls; In the winter it becomes a center for the Bockbier Fest with Bavarian bands, dancing and roasted oxen on a spit. After 1933, political rallies took place in the huge auditorium. The building was badly damaged during the war and was not reopened until October 1951 with a program of ice hockey and skating. The venture was a financial failure because the roofless Sportpalast was too cold for the spectators to enjoy the show. After additional reconstruction the building, complete with a roof, was reopened on April 4, 1953. Many famous personalities have made their fame in the venerable building. Sonja Henie, the beloved “Hasekin” (little bunny) took her first stens to international success on the arena’s ice. Such boxers as Breitenstrater (Blond Hans), Franz Diener, Walter Neusel and Max Schmeling staged unforgettable fights in its rings. And the world famous tenor Richard Tauber shook its walls with his magnificent voice. Today the Sportpalast is still the scene of cycle racing, just as it was in March 1911, when the first six day bicycli races took place on its curved indoor track.The capacity of the building varies from 8,600 for boxing to 6,000 for the ice reviews. There is also a separate 2,450 seat movie theater attached to the main building. Some 200 varied events take place each year, 30 percent of which are sporting programs."

[barry]

Most of these club were active before 1925.


Boxing Athletic Clubs



Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

Hot Springs, AK
Whittington Park

California

Colorado

Denver, CO
Stockyards Stadium

Connecticut

New Haven, CT
Edgewood AC

New Britain, CT
Pastime AC

South Norwalk, CT
Twin City AC

Hartford, CT
Hawthorne AC

Delaware

Wilmington, DE
National SC
Delaware AC
Pyle’s Academy

District of Columbia

Washington, DC
Ardmore Club
Rock Springs Hygienic Institute

Florida

Georgia

Atlanta, GA
Armory Hall AC
Auditorium Armory
Monroe AC
Staten Arena
Gate City AC
Dixie AC

Savannah, GA
Southern AC

Idaho

Illinois

Chicago, IL
Park AC
Illinois AC
Tattersall’s
Arcade Gymnasium
Fort Dearborn AC

Rockford, IL
Camp Grant


Indiana

Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis AC

Fort Wayne, IN
Summit City AC
Odeon Hall
Moose Hall
Majestic Theatre
Elk’s Club

Michigan City, IN
Floyd Fitzsimmons Arena

Muncie, IN
Magic City AC

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisville, KY
Monarch AC
Lexington, KY
Navarre AC

Covington, KY
Riverside AC

Louisiana

New Orleans, LA
Westside AC
Southern AC
Orleans AC
Tulane AC
Audubon AC
Olympic AC

Maine

Portland, ME
Pine Tree AC

Maryland

Baltimore, MD
Eureka AC
Armory AC
Germania Hall
Empire Theater
Hudson AC
Eutaw AC
Monumental Club

Glen Echo, MD
Glen Echo Amphitheatre

Ardmore, MD
Ardmore Fight Club

Massachusetts

Boston, MA
Armory AA
Faneuil Hall AA
Central AC
Pilgrim AC
Atlas AC
Lenox AC
Criterion AC
Douglas AC
Roanoke AC
Music Hall Casino
Monarch AC

Webster, MA
Lakeside AC

Fall River, MA
Colonial AC

Chelsea, MA
Lincoln AC
Winnisimmet AC

Marlboro, MA
Highland AC

Lawrence, MA
Unity Cycle and AC

Michigan

Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN
Twin City AC

St. Paul, MN
Olympic AC

Mississippi

Missouri

St. Louis, MO
West End AC
Future AC

Kansas City, MO
Missouri AC
Academy AC

St. Joseph, MO
Robideau AC

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

Manchester, NH
Pastime AC
Queen City AC

New Jersey

Trenton, NJ
Trenton AC
New Jersey AA
Trenton Driving Park

Paterson, NJ
Active AC

Jersey City, NJ
Armory AC

Sea Isle City, NJ
Pastime AC

Camden, NJ
Camden SC

New York

New York City
Royale AC
Brooklyn Beach AC
44th Street AC
Atlantic Garden AC
Brown’s Gym
National SC
Irving AC
Vanderbilt AC
Grand Union AC
Longacre AC
Fairmont AC
Madison Square Garden
Olympic AC
Windsor Theater
Lenox AC
Long Island AC
Palace AC
Greenwood AC
Brooklyn Bridge AC
Pelican AC
Greater New York AC
Coney Island Stadium
Whirlwind AC
New Polo AC
Sharkey AC
Consolidated AC

Buffalo, NY
Buffalo AC

Troy, NY
Beaver AC

Syracuse, NY
Syracuse City AC
Arena

Albany, NY
Knickerbocker AC
Myers AC
North End AC

Glen Falls, NY
Casino AC

Tuckahoe, NY
Westchester AC

Rochester, NY
Rienza AC

Saratoga, NY
Saratoga AC

Utica, NY
State Armory


North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Cleveland, OH
Victor AC
Cleveland AC
Eagles Club
Gray’s Armory

Cedar Point, OH
Arena

Cincinnati, OH
West Covington AC
O.N.G Armory
People’s AC
Elmwood Arena

Dayton, OH
Gem City AC

Youngstown, OH
Mahoning AC

Steubenville, OH
Central Rink

Oklahoma

Tulsa, OK
Open Air Arena

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia
Washington SC
Nonpareil AC
Penn Art AC
National AC
Broadway AC
Standard Theatre
American AC
Douglas AC
Olympia AC
Arena
Cambria AC
Industrial Hall
Manhattan AC
Spring Garden AC
Ontario AC
New Philadelphia AC
West End AC
Central AC
State AC
Ryan AC
Tuxedo AC
Golden Gate AC
Shibe Park
Philly Park
Ice Palace
Adelphia AC
South Philadelphia AC
Keystone AC
Kensington AC
20th Century Club
Bastian AC
Gayety Theatre
Southwark AC
Caledonian AC
Globe Theatre

Shamokin, PA
20th Century Club

Lancaster, PA
Lancaster AC

Leiperville, PA
Leiperville AC

Ashland, PA
Black Diamond AC

Williamsport, PA
Williamsport AC

Reading, PA
Academy Hall
Reading AC

Pittsburgh, PA
Exposition Park
Old City Hall
Southside Market House
Duquesne Garden
Academy Theater
Waldemeir Hall
Bijou Theater

Punxsutawney, PA
Jefferson Theater

Altoona, PA
Mishler Theater

Chester, PA
Broadway AC

Allentown, PA
Keystone AC

Harrisburg, PA
Harrisburg AC


Rhode Island

Providence, RI
Metropole Club

Scituate, RI
Saundersville AC

Valley Falls, RI
Valley Falls AC

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Memphis, TN
Phoenix AC
New Lyric Theatre
Orpheum Theatre
Southern AC

Nashville, TN
Bijou Theater

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Norfolk, VA
Ariel AC

Washington

West Virginia

Wheeling, WV
Metropolitan AC

Wisconsin

Milwaukee, WI
Auditorium

Wyoming




Canada

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Olympic AC

Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Montreal SC

[Chuck1052]

About Los Angeles Area Boxing Venues

Hazard's Pavilion (built in the 1880s, razed ca. 1905) had a capacity of about 4,000.

The Pacific Athletic Club Pavilion (which was Tom McCarey's arena in the Naud Junction area in Los Angeles) had a capacity of about 6,500.

It appears that Tom McCarey's open-air arena in Vernon had a capacity of about 10,000.

The capacity of the original Doyle's Arena (or the Vernon Arena) is unclear. There was some mention about capacity crowds of 2,000 during the 1910s, but it is possible that the arena was refurbished to handle larger crowds. The second Vernon Arena had an original capacity of 7,000, but this arena was refurbished in early 1925 in order to increase the capacity to 8,500.

The original Hollywood Legion Stadium had a capacity of around 4,500 while the second version (which opened in late 1938) had a capacity of
about 6,300.

The Olympic Auditorium's original capacity was 10,400. It has been
stated in numerous news items and articles that the Olympic's original capacity was 15,000, but anyone who is familar with the building knows
that this is impossible. In fact, I understand that a small portion of the 10,400-capacity figure was standing room.

The Wilmington Bowl of the 1920s had a capacity of about 4,000.

The 1920s arena in Culver City had a capacity of about 4,000.

It appears that Morrie Cohen's late 1920s arena in Pasadena had a capacity of about 1,800.

- Chuck Johnston

[robert.snell1]

This list keeps on growing. Out of interest are there any photo records of these old venues. If anyone has them of the Canadian venues I would like to get in touch.

Rob Snell

[Boxingmad]

What about Yankee Stadium in NYC. Didn't they hold a few big fights?

[delisa]

Yankee Stadium -- of course -- but it is recorded here as The Bronx, not New York.

[klompton]

Exposition Park
Forbes Field
Duquesne Gardens
Southside Market House
Old City Hall
Waldemier Hall
Rowe building in East Liberty
Young Mens Republican Tariff Club
Penn Avenue Power House
Motor Square Garden
Academy Theatre
Exposition Music Hall
Exposition Mechanics Hall
Orpheum Theatre (McKeesport)
Turner Hall
Emerson St. Armory

I cant remember if the Northside Market House in Old Alleghany was used as a venue or not but I wouldnt be surprised.

In the early days when boxing was still illegal in the city it wasnt uncommon for fights to be held on flat barges in the middle of the Monongahela, Allagheny, or Ohio rivers.

[robert.snell1]

the Toronto venue the Arena Gardens is refered to as Community Hall

[wsbuf]

Indoor bouts in Buffalo NY until 1912 mostly held in Miller's Hall or Convention Hall (later named Elmwood Music Hall) or International A.C. clubhouse.
From 1912-1939 mostly held at Broadway Auditorium.

Outdoor- Baseball Park (later named Bison Stadium, Offerman Stadium)

1940- Memorial Aud (indoor), Civic Stadium (later named War Memorial)

[Ric]

I plan to "scavenge" the material posted in this sticky thread, and put the data into BoxRec Encyclopedia pages. The BoxRec 'Pedia has a "Venues & Clubs" category. So, as a moderator here, I plan to delete this sticky topic in the near future, as being unnecessary now--unless I hear objections before then.

[stuarttempleton]

No mention of the venues in London and Paris.

Described as nurseries for many British Boxers and popular with many American Journeymen:-

Premierland
Wonderland
Wells Club
The Ring Blackfriars

[stuarttempleton]

Majority of the Sheffield Boxing events were at The Pheasant Inn Grounds, Carbrook events organises by Mr Will Kay Saturday afternoons.


Events staged on Thursdays were usually the work of Mr Axe an associate of kay's these were held at The Vickers Sports Ground.

[Ric]

No mention of the venues in London and Paris.

Described as nurseries for many British Boxers and popular with many American Journeymen:-

Premierland
Wonderland
Wells Club
The Ring Blackfriars

Stuart, Would you please provide exact locations (street addresses, if possible) and dates of existence, if known?

[stuarttempleton]

The most prolific nursery for champions in London's East End had the fairytale name of WONDERLAND, a remarkable building seating thousands and accommadating hundreds of staanding customers for a bob(old money).

Destroyed by fire, then PREMIERLAND was born- sold and became a warehouse.

Premierland. Commercial Road E.

Not to be confused with Premierland and Wonderland in France.

[stuarttempleton]

Liverpool - The Stadium often called 'The National of the North'

Jack Daniels (London) bt Harry Jones (Cardiff) 3rd August 1911

Jerry Thompson(Grimsby) bt Joe Heathcote (Wigan) same bill

Heathcote was an early victim of Freddie Welsh.

Liverpool's othe venue was International hall.

[stuarttempleton]

1911-08-03 Alf Langford v Sam McVea Sheffield, England W KO 7

was at The Artillery Drill Hall.

[stuarttempleton]

London Venues 1912


The Ring Blackfriars Road (Thursdays & Saturday)

Premierland (Saturday)

Poplar Hippodrome ( Saturday)

Kings Hall (Friday)

Bethnal Green A.C (Wednesday)

Jud/Eans (Wednesday Saturday)

Ipswich - Crown Hall
Wales - Bargoed Pavilion
Plymouth- Cosmopolitan Gym

North East-Newcastle - St James Hall Ring
South Shields - Culture School
Jarrow - Albert Hall

[stuarttempleton]

Venues 1914

Excelsior A.C Popham Road Islington
Millwall Cinema 221 West Ferry Rd Millwall
Bethnal Green A.C 51 Derbyshire St Bethnal Green Road
Acton Baths
Wandsworth Baths
Leyton Baths
Southwark Baths