View source for International Amphitheatre

{{Short description|Arena in Chicago, Illinois, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name      = International Amphitheatre
| nickname          = 
| image             = International Amphitheatre.jpg
| image_size        = 250px
| caption           = A postcard of the venue from 1953
| address           = 4220 [[Halsted Street#South Side|South Halsted Street]]
| city              = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]] 60609
| country           = United States
| coordinates       = {{Coord|41|48|58|N|87|38|46|W|type:landmark_region:US-IL_source:gnis|display=inline,title}}<ref>{{cite gnis |id=410907|name=International Amphitheater (historical)|entry-date=15 January 1980}}</ref>
| mapframe-zoom     = 13
| broke_ground      =
| built             =
| opened            = {{start date|1934|12|01}}<ref name="aepstein"/>
| closed            = 1999
| demolished        = August 3, 1999 {{small|(began)}}
| owner             = [[Union Stock Yards|Union Stock Yard and Transit Company]] (until 1983)
| operator          =
| surface           =
| construction_cost = $1.5 million<br />(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|1500000|1934}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})
| architect         = Abraham Epstein<ref name="aepstein">{{cite web |last1=Abbott |first1=Noel |title=Throwback Thursday – International Amphitheatre |url=https://www.epsteinglobal.com/news/throwback-thursday-international-amphitheatre |publisher=Epstein Global |access-date=17 May 2021 |date=19 May 2016}}</ref><ref name="eoc">{{cite encyclopedia |title=International Amphitheater |encyclopedia=Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago |year=2005 |publisher=Chicago Historical Society|url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/647.html |access-date=17 May 2021}}</ref>
| former_names      =
| tenants           = [[Chicago American Gears]] ([[National Basketball League (United States)|NBL]]/[[Professional Basketball League of America|PBLA]]) (1944&ndash;1948)<br />[[Chicago Packers]] ([[National Basketball Association|NBA]]) (1961–1962)<br />[[Chicago Majors]] ([[American Basketball League (1961-1963)|ABL]]) (1961–1963)<br />[[Chicago Bulls]] (NBA) (1966–1967)<br />[[Chicago Cougars]] ([[World Hockey Association|WHA]]) (1972–1975)<br />[[Chicago Sting]] ([[North American Soccer League (1968&ndash;1984)|NASL]]) (1976)<br />[[Loyola Ramblers]] basketball ([[NCAA Division I|NCAA D-I]]) (1987–1989)
| seating_capacity  = 9,000
| dimensions        =
}}

The '''International Amphitheatre''' was an [[indoor arena]] located in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], that opened in 1934 and was demolished in 1999. It was located on the west side of [[Halsted Street]], at 42nd Street, on the city's south side, in the [[Canaryville]] neighborhood, adjacent to the [[Union Stock Yards]].

==History==
[[File:The maze of livestock pens and walkways at Chicago's stockyards, ca. 1947 - NARA - 541823.jpg|thumb|The Amphitheatre was adjacent to the Union Stock Yards]]

The venue opened on November 30, 1934.<ref name="Backc">{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Robert |title=Amphitheatre Comes Backc from Oblivion |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-11-27-8703290308-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=11 August 2022 |date=November 27, 1987}}</ref> It had been built for $1.5 million by the Stock Yard company and was principally built to host the International Livestock Exhibition.<ref name="Backc"/><ref name="aepstein"/> The arena replaced [[Dexter Park (Chicago)|Dexter Park]], a horse-racing track that had stood on the site for over 50 years until its destruction by fire on April 18, 1934.<ref name="aepstein"/> The completion of the Amphitheatre ushered in an era where Chicago reigned as a convention capital. In an era before [[air conditioning]] and space for the press and broadcast media were commonplace, the International Amphitheatre was among the first arenas to be equipped with these innovations.

The Stock Yards closed in 1971, but the Amphitheatre remained open,<ref name="Backc"/> hosting rock concerts, college basketball and [[Illinois High School Association|IHSA]] playoff games, circuses, religious gatherings, and other events.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} The shift of many conventions and trade shows to the more modern and more conveniently located lakefront [[McCormick Place]] convention center, during the 1960s and 1970s, began the International Amphitheatre's decline, which continued with the opening of other convention and concert venues in the suburbs drawing more events away. By the 1980s, the venue was struggling due to competition from large facilities such as the [[Chicago Stadium]], [[Rosemont Horizon]], [[Arie Crown Theater]], [[Alpine Valley Music Theatre]], [[Holiday Star Theatre]], [[UIC Pavilion]], and the renovated [[Chicago Theatre]].<ref name="Backc"/>

In the late 1970s, developer [[Harry Chaddick]] proposed replacing the arena with a large [[shopping center]], but these plans were killed after Mayor [[Michael A. Bilandic|Michael Bilandic]] revoked his support for the project after residents and politicians of the [[Canaryville]] and [[Bridgeport, Chicago|Bridgeport]] neighborhoods complained that such a development would attract both intense vehicular traffic and draw over the residents from nearby [[Chicago Housing Authority]] projects.<ref name="Backc"/>

After an automobile swap show in March 1983, the venue closed its doors. This was widely seen as an end for the venue. It was sold to new ownership for a mere $250,000 and sat dormant for three years. During plans were floated to convert the venue into a [[sound stage]].<ref name="Backc"/> However, on November 28, 1987, the International Amphitheatre reopened with a game by the [[Loyola Ramblers]] college basketball team, who became tenants of the reopened Amphitheatre. Some repairs and improvements had been made to the facility.<ref name="Backc"/><ref name="LoyolaOpener">{{cite web |last1=Hanley |first1=Reid |title=Loyola Wins Amphitheatre Opener |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-11-29-8703290884-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=11 August 2022 |date=November 29, 1987}}</ref> A greater $5 million renovation was planned at the time of its reopening, and it was intended that Loyola basketball would remain tenants of the venue for at least five years.<ref name="LoyolaOpener"/> However, for their 1989 season, Loyola had moved to the Rosemont Horizon after the Amphitheatre proved to be an unsatisfactory home venue to the team. The team had faced attendance as low as 500 spectators while playing at the facility.<ref name="Jauss1">{{cite web |last1=Jauss |first1=Bill |title=Rey's small Ramblers face a big challenge |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/389402489 |publisher=Chicago Tribune |via=Newspapers.com |language=en |url-access=subscription |date=November 15, 1989}}</ref>

The sprawling venue was difficult to maintain and struggled to attract enough large events to pay for its own upkeep. It was eventually sold to promoters Cardenas & Fernandez and then the City of Chicago, which had no more success at attracting events than its previous owner. In August 1999, demolition of the International Amphitheatre began.<ref name=demo>{{cite news| title=Amphitheatre Gets Its Final Curtain Call| url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1999/05/30/amphitheatre-gets-its-final-curtain-call/| work=Chicago Tribune| last=Boylan| first=Anthony Burke| date=May 30, 1999| access-date=2016-02-03}}</ref> An [[ARAMARK|Aramark]] Uniform Services plant is located on the site once occupied by the Amphitheatre. Part of the former convention hall extension still remains standing and used by Lakeshore Beverage.

==Events and tenants==
The original primary purpose of the arena was to host the [[North American International Livestock Exposition]]. This event would be held at the arena until several years after the [[Union Stock Yards]] closed in July 1971, when it left for [[Louisville]], [[Kentucky]].<ref name="Backc"/><ref name="aepstein"/>

===Presidential nominating conventions===
[[File:John Daly News 1956.JPG|thumb|[[John Charles Daly|John Daly]] and [[Quincy Howe]] providing [[CBS]]' coverage of the 1952 political conventions]]

The Amphitheatre hosted several national American presidential nominating conventions, with an overall record of 1-4:
*[[1952 Republican National Convention]] (nominated [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] for President and [[Richard Nixon|Richard M. Nixon]] for [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]]; ticket won)
*[[1952 Democratic National Convention]] (nominated [[Adlai Stevenson II|Adlai E. Stevenson]] for President and [[John Sparkman|John J. Sparkman]] for Vice President; ticket lost)
*[[1956 Democratic National Convention]] (nominated Adlai E. Stevenson for President and [[Estes Kefauver]] for Vice President; ticket lost)
*[[1960 Republican National Convention]] (nominated Richard M. Nixon for President and [[Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.]] for Vice President; ticket lost)
*[[1968 Democratic National Convention]] (nominated [[Hubert Humphrey|Hubert H. Humphrey]] for President and [[Edmund Muskie|Edmund S. Muskie]] for Vice President; ticket lost)

The [[1952 Republican National Convention]] had the distinction of being the first political convention broadcast live by television coast to coast, with special studio facilities provided for all the major networks.<ref>{{cite journal| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XNwDAAAAMBAJ&dq=true&pg=PA94| title=TV Goes to the Conventions| journal=[[Popular Mechanics]]| date=June 1952| pages=94–97}}</ref>

The [[1968 Democratic National Convention]] was one of the most tumultuous political conventions in American history, noted by [[Opposition to the Vietnam War|anti-war]] [[1968 Democratic National Convention protest activity|protests]].

===Sports===
Televised boxing and wrestling events were held at the venue for decades, making it a well-known venue across the United States.<ref name="Backc"/> In December 1981, [[Joe Frazier]] had his final boxing match at the Amphitheatre against [[Floyd Cummings]], which resulted in a draw.

The arena, which seated 9,000 for sports events, was the first home of the [[Chicago Packers]] of the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] during [[1961&ndash;62 NBA season|1961&ndash;62]], before changing their name to the [[Chicago Zephyrs]] and moving to the [[Chicago Coliseum]] for their second season.<ref>{{cite web| last=Hareas| first=John| title=A Colorful Tradition| url=http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/WizHistory_010806.html| publisher=Washington Wizards| access-date=2008-03-19}}</ref> It was also the home of the [[Chicago Bulls]] during their inaugural season of [[1966&ndash;67 NBA season|1966&ndash;67]]. The team played one time in the Chicago Coliseum, a playoff game in their first season, as no other arena was available for a date with the [[St. Louis Hawks]]. The Bulls then moved permanently to Chicago Stadium, where they remained until {{nbay|1993|end}}, when they moved to their current home at the [[United Center]].

The Amphitheatre was also the primary home of the [[Chicago Cougars]] of the [[World Hockey Association|WHA]] from [[1972 in sports|1972]] to [[1975 in sports|1975]]. It was originally intended to be only a temporary home for the Cougars, but the permanent solution, the Rosemont Horizon, was not completed until 1980, five years after the team folded and a year after the WHA ceased operation. The International Amphitheatre was the home for Chicago's [[Professional wrestling|wrestling]] scene for years as well as the [[Chicago Auto Show]] for approximately 20 years beginning in the 1940s.<ref>{{cite web| title=Regional Territories-WWA Indianapolis| url=http://www.kayfabememories.com/Regions/wwa-ind/wwaind12.htm| publisher=Kayfabe Memories| date=April 21, 2004| last=Tito| first=Rich| access-date=2016-02-03}}</ref><ref name=demo/>

Strangely enough, on December 30, 1962, and January 5, 1964, the Chicago Amphitheatre hosted The Southside WinterNationals INDOOR Drag Races. With the smooth concrete floors, Drivers reported it was like racing on ice. It was also reported that after the first races, cases of Coca-Cola syrup were brought in, poured on the floor and allowed to dry overnight. Drivers like Arnie "The Farmer" Beswick, and Mr. Norm from Grand Spaulding Dodge later admitted the syrup did little to help traction. Staging was outside in the Chicago - January cold. Drivers did as many as 5 "burnouts" just to heat the rear tires. The shutdown area involved a sharp turn and wall that claimed more than a few of the entries.

On March 13–14, 1976, the Midwest Regional of the [[North American Soccer League (1968–84)|North American Soccer League]]'s [[1976 NASL Indoor tournament|1976 Indoor tournament]] was hosted by the [[Chicago Sting]] at the Amphitheater. The [[Rochester Lancers (1967–80)|Rochester Lancers]] won the Region to advance to the Final Four played in Florida.<ref>{{cite news| title=Opener for the Sting tonight| url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1976/03/13/page/205/article/opener-for-the-sting-tonight| last=Milbert| first=Neil| work=[[Chicago Tribune]]| date=March 13, 1976| page=5, Section 2}}</ref>

The Loyola Ramblers basketball team were tenants of the venue during their 1987–88 and 1988–89 seasons,<ref name="Backc"/><ref name="Jauss1"/> but faced poor attendance at the aging facility.<ref name="Jauss1"/>

The Amphitheatre hosted the [[Chicago Public High School League|Chicago Public League]] boys basketball semifinals and finals intermittently from the 1950s through 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=Ted |date=1990-03-22 |title=The Sports Section |url=https://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/the-sports-section-148/ |access-date=2025-08-26 |website=Chicago Reader |language=en-US}}</ref>  The 1991 CPL tournament at the Ampitheatre, won by [[Marshall Metropolitan High School|Marshall High School]], was featured in the documentary film ''[[Hoop Dreams]]''.

===Concerts and entertainment===
Notable performers who held shows at the venue included [[Dale Evans]] and [[Roy Rogers]], [[Evel Knievel]], [[The Rolling Stones]], [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Led Zeppelin]], [[The Who]], [[Pink Floyd]], [[AC/DC]], [[Black Sabbath]], [[Rush (band)|Rush]], [[Santana (band)|Santana]], [[Ike & Tina Turner]], [[Grateful Dead]], [[Van Halen]], [[Aerosmith]], [[UFO (band)|UFO]], [[Selena]] and [[The Jackson 5]].<ref name="Backc"/><ref>{{cite web |title=International Amphitheatre |url=https://interactive.wttw.com/timemachine/international-amphitheatre |website=WTTW Chicago |access-date=11 August 2022 |language=en |date=25 November 2013}}</ref> The Amphitheatre is noted for being the site of one of [[Elvis Presley]]’s most notable concerts, on March 28, 1957, with the singer wearing his now legendary gold lamé suit for the first time.<ref name=Elvis>{{cite journal| title=Elvis in Chicago Was 'Electrifying': An 80th Birthday Celebration| url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150108/bridgeport/elvis-chicago-was-electrifying| last=Cora| first=Casey| date=January 8, 2015| journal=[[DNAinfo.com]]| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316215423/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150108/bridgeport/elvis-chicago-was-electrifying| archive-date=March 16, 2016}}</ref> On September 5, 1964, and August 12, 1966, [[The Beatles]] performed at the Amphitheatre. The 1966 show was the first show of what proved to be their [[The Beatles' 1966 US tour|last tour]].<ref name=BB>{{cite web| title=Live: International Amphitheatre, Chicago| date=5 September 1964| url=http://www.beatlesbible.com/1964/09/05/live-international-amphitheatre-chicago/| publisher=The Beatles Bible| access-date=2016-02-03}}</ref> For eighteen years, the arena was the site of Chicago visits by the [[Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus]].<ref name="Backc"/> In October 1978, English rock group [[UFO (band)|UFO]] recorded parts of what would become ''[[Strangers in the Night (UFO album)|Strangers in the Night]]'' at the International Amphitheatre.

==Gallery==
{{Gallery
|width=150 |height=150
|align=center
|File:International Amphitheatre (Chicago) interior during an exhibition in 1948 (3953914790).jpg
 |Arena in 1948
|File:1952 Republican National Convention.jpg
 |1952 Republican National Convention
|File:John F. Kennedy nominates Adlai Stevenson 1956 (cropped).JPG
 |[[John F. Kennedy]] nominates Adlai Stevenson at the 1956 Democratic National Convention
|File:Illinois delegates at the Democratic National Convention of 1968, react to Senator Ribicoff's nominating speech in which he criticized the tactics of the Chicago police against anti-Vietnam war protesters.jpg
 |Illinois delegates (including [[Richard M. Daley]] and [[Richard J. Daley]]) during the 1968 Democratic National Convention
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/647.html International Amphitheatre article in the Encyclopedia of Chicago]
* [https://interactive.wttw.com/timemachine/international-amphitheatre International Amphitheatre] at [[WTTW]]

{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-sta|et}}}}
{{succession box
 | title = Home of the<br />[[Chicago Packers]]
 | years = 1961–1962
 | before = first arena
 | after = [[Chicago Coliseum]]
}}
{{succession box
 | title = Home of the<br />[[Chicago Bulls]]
 | years = 1966–1967
 | before = first arena
 | after = [[Chicago Stadium]]
}}
{{end}}
{{Democratic National Convention venues}}
{{Republican National Convention venues}}
{{Music venues of Illinois}}
{{Chicago Bulls}}
{{Washington Wizards}}
{{Former NBA arenas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1934 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:1999 disestablishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:Basketball venues in Chicago]]
[[Category:Boxing venues in Chicago]]
[[Category:Chicago American Gears]]
[[Category:Chicago Bulls]]
[[Category:Chicago Packers]]
[[Category:Chicago Sting sports facilities]]
[[Category:Defunct college basketball venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct indoor arenas in Illinois]]
[[Category:Defunct ice hockey venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct indoor soccer venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct sports venues in Illinois]]
[[Category:Demolished buildings and structures in Chicago]]
[[Category:Demolished music venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Demolished sports venues in Illinois]]
[[Category:Event venues established in 1934]]
[[Category:Former NBA venues]]
[[Category:National Basketball League (United States) venues]]
[[Category:North American Soccer League (1968–1984) indoor venues]]
[[Category:Sports venues demolished in 1999]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Chicago]]
[[Category:Taekwondo venues]]
[[Category:World Hockey Association venues]]
[[Category:Loyola Ramblers basketball]]