View source for Cincinnati Gardens

{{Short description|Former indoor arena in Cincinnati, Ohio, US}}
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name      = Cincinnati Gardens
| image             = [[Image:Cincinnati gardens exterior 2004.jpg|320px|right]]
| location          = 2250 Seymour Avenue<br />[[Cincinnati]], [[Ohio]] 45212
| coordinates       = {{coord|39|10|52|N|84|27|19|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground      = 
| opened            = February 22, 1949
| closed            = July 21, 2016
| demolished        = March 2018
| owner             = Kenko Corporation (Robinson family)
| operator          = Kenko Corporation
| surface           = Concrete (ice floor)
| construction_cost = $3 Million<br>(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|3000000|1949}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})
| architect         = 
| former_names      = 
| tenants           = [[Cincinnati Mohawks]] (AHL / [[International Hockey League (1945–2001)|IHL]]) (1949–1958)<br>[[Xavier Musketeers men's basketball|Xavier Musketeers]] ([[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]) (occasional 1949–1979, permanent 1983–2000)<br>[[Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball|Cincinnati Bearcats]] (NCAA) (1949–1954, 1987–1989)<br>[[Cincinnati Royals]] ([[National Basketball Association|NBA]]) (1957–1972)<br>[[Cincinnati Wings]] ([[Central Professional Hockey League|CPHL]]) (1963–1964)<br>[[Cincinnati Swords]] (AHL) (1971–1974)<br>[[Cincinnati Slammers]] ([[Continental Basketball Association|CBA]]) (1984–1987)<br>[[Cincinnati Cyclones]] ([[ECHL]] / IHL) (1990–1997)<br>[[Cincinnati Silverbacks]] ([[National Professional Soccer League II|NPSL]]) (1995–1997)<br>[[Cincinnati Mighty Ducks]] ([[American Hockey League|AHL]]) (1997–2005)<br>[[Cincinnati Rollergirls]] ([[Women's Flat Track Derby Association|WFTDA]]) (2006–2016)<br>[[Cincinnati Commandos]] ([[Ultimate Indoor Football League|UIFL]]/[[Continental Indoor Football League|CIFL]]) (2010–2012)<br>[[Cincinnati Kings Indoor Team|Cincinnati Kings]] ([[Professional Arena Soccer League|PASL]]) (2010&ndash;2012)<br>[[Cincinnati Thunder]] ([[North American 3 Hockey League|NA3HL]]) (2015&ndash;2016)
| seating_capacity  = 10,208
|}}

'''Cincinnati Gardens''' was an indoor [[arena]] located in [[Cincinnati|Cincinnati, Ohio]], that opened in 1949. The 25,000 square foot (2,300 m<sup>2</sup>) brick and limestone building at 2250 Seymour Avenue in Bond Hill had an entrance that was decorated with six three-dimensional carved athletic figures. When it opened, its [[seating capacity]] of 11,000+ made it the seventh largest indoor arena in the United States.

The Cincinnati Gardens' first event was an exhibition [[Ice hockey|hockey]] game. It has been the home of six league championship hockey teams, and most recently was the home of the [[Cincinnati Mighty Ducks]] of the [[American Hockey League]]. It also has been host to numerous other sporting events, concerts, stage shows, circuses, and political rallies. The Gardens' final tenants were the [[Cincinnati Rollergirls]] of the [[Women's Flat Track Derby Association]] and the [[Cincinnati Thunder]] of the [[North American 3 Hockey League]].

In 2013, the Robinson family, which had owned the Gardens since 1979, put the arena up for sale. The family-controlled company, Kenko Corporation, no longer considered the arena a core asset.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2013/07/cincinnati-gardens-owner-robinson.html|title=Cincinnati Gardens owner Robinson explains why his family is selling|author1=Steve Watkins|publisher=[[Cincinnati Business Courier]]|date=July 9, 2013}}</ref> On June 16, 2016, the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority approved a contract to acquire the property for $1.75 million from the Robinson family, which intended to repurpose the {{Convert|19|acre||abbr=|adj=on}} site for future light manufacturing.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Engel|first1=Liz|title=Port Authority buys Cincinnati Gardens with plans to demolish arena to make way for manufacturing|url=http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/cincinnati/port-authority-buys-cincinnati-gardens-with-plans-to-demolish-arena-to-make-way-for-manufacturing|website=WCPO.com|date=15 June 2016 |publisher=E.W. Scripps|access-date=15 June 2016}}</ref> Demolition took place in March 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP9xmCM2B9I |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/vP9xmCM2B9I |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Cincinnati gardens demolished|date=20 March 2018 |via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

== Sporting events ==
[[Image:Cincinnati gardens interior 2005.jpg|thumb|320px|left|The interior of the Cincinnati Gardens]]
Cincinnati Gardens was known primarily as a venue for ice hockey, [[basketball]], and [[boxing]].

=== Hockey ===
The Gardens' first event was an exhibition hockey game on February 22, 1949, between the Dallas Texans of the [[United States Hockey League]] and their parent [[National Hockey League]] team, the [[Montreal Canadiens]]. Several of the Texans' players would soon seed the first professional hockey team in Cincinnati, the [[Cincinnati Mohawks]], who played at the Gardens from 1949 through 1958—three seasons in the AHL and six in the [[International Hockey League (1945-2001)|International Hockey League]]. Three [[List of members of the Hockey Hall of Fame|NHL Hall of Famers]] played for the Mohawks&mdash;[[Harry Howell (ice hockey)|Harry Howell]], [[Buddy O'Connor]] and [[Clint Smith]]&mdash;and from 1952 through 1957, the team won an IHL record five consecutive [[International Hockey League (1945-2001)#Turner Cup|Turner Cup]] championships.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

Cincinnati Gardens was also home to the Cincinnati Mohawks of the Midwest Amateur Hockey League in 1966, 1968, and 1969. Most of the Mohawks games were held in the annex, but some were played in the main building.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} The  Xavier University Ice Hockey Program began using the Cincinnati Gardens as its home facility for the 2007–2008 season.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

The [[Cincinnati Swords]] played in the AHL as an affiliate of the NHL [[Buffalo Sabres]] from 1971 through 1974 and won the [[Calder Cup]] as AHL champions in 1973.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

The Cincinnati Wings played the 1963–64 season at the Gardens, relocating from [[Indianapolis]] (where they were known as the [[Indianapolis Capitals|Capitals]]) after their home arena, the [[Fairgrounds Coliseum|Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum]], was heavily damaged in a [[1963 Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum gas explosion|propane explosion]] on October 31, 1963, that killed 74 people.

The [[Cincinnati Cyclones]] played in the [[East Coast Hockey League]] for two seasons and the IHL for five seasons at the Cincinnati Gardens. When the Cyclones moved to [[U.S. Bank Arena]] in 1997, the AHL returned to the building for the third time with the creation of the [[Cincinnati Mighty Ducks]], an affiliate of the NHL [[Anaheim Ducks|Mighty Ducks of Anaheim]] and [[Detroit Red Wings]], who played in the building until 2005.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

The [[Cincinnati Thunder]] of the [[North American 3 Hockey League]] moved to the Gardens beginning with the 2015–16 season, making the team the Gardens' newest hockey tenant.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://na3hl.com/news/story.cfm?id=14911|title=Thunder to call Cincinnati Gardens their new home|website=North American Tier III Hockey League (NA3HL)}}</ref>

Though having no pro-hockey team for its last 11 years of operation, the Gardens still acted as the home rink for several area high school teams.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

=== Basketball ===
The Gardens was home to the [[Cincinnati Royals]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (now the [[Sacramento Kings]]) from 1957 through 1972. [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame|Hall of Famer]] [[Oscar Robertson]] played for the Royals from 1960 through 1970. The arena hosted the [[1966 NBA All-Star Game]], and Royals' guard Adrian Smith was named the game's Most Valuable Player.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

College basketball, including 42 "[[Crosstown Shootout]]" games between the [[Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball|University of Cincinnati]] and [[Xavier Musketeers men's basketball|Xavier University]], were played at the Gardens since its first week in 1949. The arena has served as the home court for both schools at various times, lastly for Xavier from 1983 until their move to the on-campus [[Cintas Center]] in 2000.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

From 1984 through 1987, the [[Cincinnati Slammers]] of the [[Continental Basketball Association]] played their home games at the Gardens.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

High school basketball also used the Gardens, both for regular season games—such as contests matching [[Middletown High School (Ohio)|Middletown]] & [[Hamilton High School (Hamilton, Ohio)|Hamilton]] Highs—as well as post-season tournaments including the state tourney in 1953 and 1955.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

=== Boxing ===
The Gardens hosted a number of boxing matches, particularly several featuring prominent local and international fighters. Eventual Heavyweight champion and [[International Boxing Hall of Fame|Hall of Famer]] [[Ezzard Charles]] of Cincinnati defeated [[Joey Maxim]] in a heavyweight title contender fight on February 28, 1949, in the arena's first week. Cincinnatian Wallace "Bud" Smith defended his World Lightweight crown there on October 19, 1955. Numerous [[Golden Gloves]] competitions have drawn as many as 10,000+ fans, and a "Super Brawl Sunday" event was held in 2002.

On August 30, 2008, Relentless Events packed over 6000 fans into the arena for former heavyweight champion Lamon Brewster's comeback fight against Danny Batchelder. Brewster won by fifth-round knockout. Local favorites Rashad Holloway and Aaron Pryor Jr. also won on the undercard.

=== Other sports ===
Other sports hosted at the Gardens have included:
* [[Indoor soccer]] &ndash; [[Cincinnati Silverbacks]] (1995–1997), [[Cincinnati Kings Indoor Team|Cincinnati Kings]] (2010&ndash;2012)
* [[Roller Derby]] &ndash; [[Cincinnati Rollergirls]]; Cincinnati Jolters (1971) 
* [[Rodeo]]
* [[Monster truck]] racing
* Auto and motorcycle racing
* [[indoor American football|Indoor football]] &ndash; [[Cincinnati Commandos]] (2010&ndash;2013)

==Concerts==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Alan Freed Big Beat Show Cincinnati.jpg|thumb|right|Concert poster for Alan Freed's Big Beat show of 1958]] -->
[[The Crickets]], featuring [[Buddy Holly]], performed three times at the arena. First on September 11, 1957, as part of the "Biggest Show of Stars of 1957" tour. Also headlining were, [[Fats Domino]], [[Chuck Berry]], and [[Lavern Baker]]. The Crickets played The Gardens on January 23, 1958, as part of "America's Greatest Teenage Recording Stars Tour". Finally, The Crickets headlined [[Alan Freed]]'s "Big Beat" show on April 14, 1958, which also included sets from [[Jerry Lee Lewis]], [[Chuck Berry]], [[Frankie Lymon]], [[The Chantels]], as well as others.

On August 27, 1964, [[The Beatles]] performed at the arena.<ref>[http://www.beatlesbible.com/1964/08/27/live-cincinnati-gardens/  The Beatles Bible » Beatles diary » 1964 » August » 27 » Live: Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati] Retrieved April 8, 2013.</ref>

On November 27, 1965, the [[Rolling Stones]] performed at the arena.

[[Diana Ross & the Supremes]] performed at the arena on March 10, 1968.

On November 15, 1968, [[Jimi Hendrix]] performed at the arena with his band [[The Jimi Hendrix Experience]].<ref>
{{Cite web |title=Cincinnati Gardens in Ohio. Archives |url=https://www.jimihendrix.com/encyclopedia-tag/cincinnati-gardens-in-ohio/ |access-date=October 5, 2025 |website=The Official Jimi Hendrix Site}}</ref>

On October 10, 1970, July 24, 1971, July 14, 1972, and May 25, 1974, the [[Jackson 5]] performed at the arena.

On November 11, 1971, [[Elvis Presley]] performed at the arena.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elvisconcerts.com/newspapers/press297.htm |title=Elvis Really Tears 'Em Up|publisher=Cincinnati Enquirer|date=November 12, 1971|access-date=April 8, 2013}}</ref>

On June 27, 1973, Elvis Presley again performed at the arena.

On December 4, 1973, The [[Grateful Dead]] Performed at the arena.

On December 5, 1982, [[Judas Priest]] performed at the arena on their [[World Vengeance Tour]].

On May 17, 1985, [[Madonna]] performed at the arena with [[The Virgin Tour]]. Her only time to ever perform in Cincinnati. Her opening act was The [[Beastie Boys]].

On May 23, 1986, [[George Thorogood & The Destroyers]] performed in the arena. This concert was featured on their Live album.

[[Bon Jovi]] performed in the arena March 18–19, 1987. Several shots of inside and outside of the Gardens can be seen in their "[[Wanted Dead or Alive (Bon Jovi song)|Wanted Dead or Alive]]" video.

On November 30, 1991, [[Neil Young]] and [[Crazy Horse (band)|Crazy Horse]] performed the "Smell the Horse" Tour. The live album ''WELD'' was recorded on this tour. 
The warm-up band for the evening was [[Sonic Youth]].

==Other events==
From July 5 to 13, 2008, [[Morari Bapu]] held a 9-day Hindu religious event called a 'Ram Katha' at Cincinnati Gardens. This event attracted thousands of people who gathered from all over the world at Cincinnati Gardens. The Ram Katha is the largest event the Cincinnati Hindu community has hosted.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Vance|first1=Karen|title=Ram Katha Being Staged at Cincinnati Gardens|url=http://cincygardens.com/index.php/2011-09-17-00-38-23/upcoming-eventsnews/52-ramkatha|website=The Cincinnati Gardens|access-date=March 14, 2017|date=July 4, 2009}}</ref>

Various [[professional wrestling]] promotions held events at the Gardens as well over the years. [[WWE]] has hosted both ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' and ''[[WWE Friday Night SmackDown|SmackDown!]]''. [[Jim Crockett Promotions]] hosted [[Starrcade (1986)|Starrcade 1986]] shown on closed-circuit TV. [[TNA Wrestling]] had a live event at the Gardens on June 22, 2008. The Gardens was a regular stop for [[Ed Farhat|The Sheik]]'s [[Big Time Wrestling (Detroit)|Big Time Wrestling]] promotion between 1964 and 1979. Pat O'Connor, Buddy Rogers, [[Lou Thesz]] and [[Ric Flair]] wrestled in the Gardens while holding the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) World Heavyweight Championship.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.cincygardens.com/ Cincinnati Gardens Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311070804/http://www.cincygardens.com/ |date=2018-03-11 }}
* [http://www.cincinnatimightyducks.com/pdf/gardens.pdf Cincinnati Gardens history (pdf)]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkKql3MqetQ Beatles performing at Cincinnati Gardens]
* {{cite news|title=Requiem for the Cincinnati Gardens|first=Joel M.|last=Beall|work=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]|publisher=[[Gannett Company]]|date=February 1, 2015|access-date=February 2, 2015|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2015/02/01/bright-past-dark-future-gardens/22220489/}}

{{Cincinnati Cyclones}}
{{Sacramento Kings}}
{{Xavier Musketeers men's basketball navbox}}
{{Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball navbox}}
{{Cincinnati Bearcats women's basketball navbox}}
{{WFTDA venues}}
{{Former NBA arenas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cincinnati Bearcats basketball venues]]
[[Category:Ice hockey venues in Ohio]]
[[Category:Xavier Musketeers basketball venues]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Cyclones]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Mighty Ducks]]
[[Category:Defunct ice hockey venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct indoor arenas in Ohio]]
[[Category:Defunct indoor soccer venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Former NBA venues]]
[[Category:1949 establishments in Ohio]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1949]]
[[Category:Indoor arenas in Ohio]]
[[Category:2018 disestablishments in Ohio]]
[[Category:Sports venues demolished in 2018]]