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Coordinates: 42°05′29″N 72°37′07″W / 42.091333°N 72.618694°W / 42.091333; -72.618694
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{{Short description|Arena in West Springfield, Massachusetts, US}}
{{Infobox venue
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = Eastern States Coliseum
| stadium_name = Eastern States Coliseum
| nickname = The Big E Coliseum
| nickname = The Big E Coliseum
| image =
| image = Big E Coliseum view 2, West Springfield MA.jpg
| location = [[West Springfield, Massachusetts]]
| location = [[West Springfield, Massachusetts]]
| coordinates = {{coord|42.091333| -72.618694|display=title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|42.091333| -72.618694|display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground = 1916
| broke_ground = 1916
| opened = October 12, 1916
| opened = October 12, 1916
| closed =
| closed =
| demolished =
| demolished =
| owner = [[West Springfield, Massachusetts|City Of West Springfield]]
| owner = [[West Springfield, Massachusetts|City of West Springfield]]
| operator = [[The Big E|Eastern States Exposition]]
| operator = [[The Big E|Eastern States Exposition]]
| surface = dirt
| surface = dirt
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==History==
==History==
Built as the Eastern States Coliseum in 1916, adding to the facilities for the annual [[The Eastern States Exposition|Eastern States Exposition]], the Big E Coliseum was the longtime home of the [[Springfield Indians]] professional hockey team in the [[American Hockey League]], and later served as a part-time home to the [[New England Whalers]] hockey team while the team was in the [[World Hockey Association]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Garry |date=May 9, 2009 |title=Hartford Whalers, now Carolina Hurricanes, found their way to Springfield Civic Center, Eastern States Coliseum |url=http://www.masslive.com/sports/index.ssf/2009/05/hartford_whalers_now_carolina.html |newspaper=Springfield Union-News |publisher=Larry McDermott |accessdate=18 August 2014 }}</ref> In the 1940s through to the building of the [[Springfield Civic Center]] in 1972, the Coliseum frequently hosted local showings of the [[Ice Capades]] and the [[Ice Follies]].<ref>{{cite news |date=November 1, 1959 |title=Birthday Edition Of Ice Capades Hailed By Critics |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/914255212.html?dids=914255212:914255212&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Nov+01%2C+1959&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Birthday+Edition+Of+Ice+Capades+Hailed+By+Critics&pqatl=google |newspaper=Hartford Courant |location=Hartford, Connecticut |accessdate=18 August 2014 }}</ref> It was for many years the largest capacity rink in western Massachusetts, and was the home arena of several local high school hockey teams as well as a prominent venue for regional and state high school tournaments.<ref>{{cite news |last=Porter |first=Matt |date=March 13, 2008 |title=Cheers fade, but glory endures |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-15504316.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921192659/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-15504316.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 21, 2014 |newspaper=Boston Globe |accessdate=18 August 2014 }}</ref>
Built as the Eastern States Coliseum in 1916, adding to the facilities for the annual [[The Eastern States Exposition|Eastern States Exposition]], the Big E Coliseum was the longtime home of the [[Springfield Indians]] professional hockey team in the [[American Hockey League]], and later served as a part-time home to the [[New England Whalers]] hockey team while the team was in the [[World Hockey Association]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Garry |date=May 9, 2009 |title=Hartford Whalers, now Carolina Hurricanes, found their way to Springfield Civic Center, Eastern States Coliseum |url=http://www.masslive.com/sports/index.ssf/2009/05/hartford_whalers_now_carolina.html |newspaper=Springfield Union-News |publisher=Larry McDermott |access-date=18 August 2014 }}</ref> In the 1940s through to the building of the [[Springfield Civic Center]] in 1972, the Coliseum frequently hosted local showings of the [[Ice Capades]] and the [[Ice Follies]].<ref>{{cite news |date=November 1, 1959 |title=Birthday Edition Of Ice Capades Hailed By Critics |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/914255212.html?dids=914255212:914255212&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Nov+01%2C+1959&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Birthday+Edition+Of+Ice+Capades+Hailed+By+Critics&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724200754/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/914255212.html?dids=914255212:914255212&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Nov+01,+1959&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Birthday+Edition+Of+Ice+Capades+Hailed+By+Critics&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 24, 2012 |newspaper=Hartford Courant |location=Hartford, Connecticut |access-date=18 August 2014 }}</ref> It was for many years the largest capacity rink in western Massachusetts, and was the home arena of several local high school hockey teams as well as a prominent venue for regional and state high school tournaments.<ref>{{cite news |last=Porter |first=Matt |date=March 13, 2008 |title=Cheers fade, but glory endures |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-15504316.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921192659/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-15504316.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 21, 2014 |newspaper=Boston Globe |access-date=18 August 2014 }}</ref>


In 1991, the ice plant was dismantled and hockey games are no longer played there.<ref>{{cite news |last=Donahue |first=Chris |date=April 1, 1991 |title=Hockey mecca's demise leaves high schools scrambling |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/56142294.html?dids=56142294:56142294&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+01%2C+1991&author=Chris+Donahue&pub=USA+TODAY+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=HIGH+SCHOOL+NOTES%3BMass.+hockey+mecca%27s+demise+leaves+schools+scrambling&pqatl=google |newspaper=USA Today |accessdate=18 August 2014 }}</ref> The arena continues as a venue for [[The Big E]], and hosts Shriner circuses, equestrian shows and other local events.<ref>[http://www.thebige.com/ Eastern States Exhibition website]</ref> The Coliseum has often been the location for the draft horse World Championship Finals, serving as such in 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2009,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thebige.com/fair/horseshow/horseshow.asp |title=BigE Draft Horse Show |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=The Big E |publisher=Eastern States Exhibition |accessdate=18 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713112031/http://www.thebige.com/fair/horseshow/horseshow.asp |archive-date=13 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and has been a venue for rodeos.<ref>{{cite news |last=Blowen |first=Michael |date=March 27, 1993 |title=Rodeo king |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8220696.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921192635/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8220696.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 21, 2014 |newspaper=Boston Globe |publisher=William Taylor |accessdate=18 August 2014 }}</ref>
In 1991, the ice plant was dismantled and hockey games are no longer played there.<ref>{{cite news |last=Donahue |first=Chris |date=April 1, 1991 |title=Hockey mecca's demise leaves high schools scrambling |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/56142294.html?dids=56142294:56142294&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+01%2C+1991&author=Chris+Donahue&pub=USA+TODAY+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=HIGH+SCHOOL+NOTES%3BMass.+hockey+mecca%27s+demise+leaves+schools+scrambling&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714025300/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/56142294.html?dids=56142294:56142294&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+01,+1991&author=Chris+Donahue&pub=USA+TODAY+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=HIGH+SCHOOL+NOTES;Mass.+hockey+mecca's+demise+leaves+schools+scrambling&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |newspaper=USA Today |access-date=18 August 2014 }}</ref> The arena continues as a venue for [[The Big E]], and hosts Shriner circuses, equestrian shows and other local events.<ref>[http://www.thebige.com/ Eastern States Exhibition website]</ref> The Coliseum has often been the location for the draft horse World Championship Finals, serving as such in 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2009,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thebige.com/fair/horseshow/horseshow.asp |title=BigE Draft Horse Show |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=The Big E |publisher=Eastern States Exhibition |access-date=18 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713112031/http://www.thebige.com/fair/horseshow/horseshow.asp |archive-date=13 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and has been a venue for rodeos.<ref>{{cite news |last=Blowen |first=Michael |date=March 27, 1993 |title=Rodeo king |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8220696.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921192635/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8220696.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 21, 2014 |newspaper=Boston Globe |publisher=William Taylor |access-date=18 August 2014 }}</ref>


==Indians and The Coliseum==
==Springfield Indians==
The first game played in the new arena was a [[Canadian–American Hockey League]] game on December 1, 1926. Boxing promoter [[Tex Rickard]] dropped the ceremonial first puck. The [[Springfield Indians]] lost to the [[Providence Reds]] 3–1. In 1933, the parent [[New York Rangers]] decided to pull the franchise out of Springfield, but the Indians were back in the Coliseum for the 1935–36 season when Lucien Garneau transferred his [[Quebec Castors]] club to Springfield.
The first game played in the new arena was a [[Canadian–American Hockey League]] game on December 1, 1926. Boxing promoter [[Tex Rickard]] dropped the ceremonial first puck. The [[Springfield Indians]] lost to the [[Providence Reds]] 3–1. In 1933, the parent [[New York Rangers]] decided to pull the franchise out of Springfield, but the Indians were back in the Coliseum for the 1935–36 season when Lucien Garneau transferred his [[Quebec Castors]] club to Springfield.


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Big E Coliseum}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Big E Coliseum}}
[[Category:Indoor arenas in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Indoor arenas in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Indoor ice hockey venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Ice hockey venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Indoor ice hockey venues in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Ice hockey venues in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Springfield Indians]]
[[Category:Springfield Indians]]
[[Category:Defunct National Hockey League venues]]
[[Category:Defunct National Hockey League venues]]
[[Category:World Hockey Association venues]]
[[Category:World Hockey Association venues]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Springfield, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:West Springfield, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Rodeo venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Rodeo venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct indoor soccer venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct indoor soccer venues in the United States]]
[[Category:1916 establishments in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:1916 establishments in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1916]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1916]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Hampden County, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Hartford Whalers]]

Latest revision as of 02:46, 25 September 2024

Eastern States Coliseum
The Big E Coliseum
Map
LocationWest Springfield, Massachusetts
Coordinates42°05′29″N 72°37′07″W / 42.091333°N 72.618694°W / 42.091333; -72.618694
OwnerCity of West Springfield
OperatorEastern States Exposition
Capacity6,000
Surfacedirt
Construction
Broke ground1916
OpenedOctober 12, 1916
Tenants
Springfield Indians (CAHL/AHL) (1926–1932, 1935–1972)
New England Blades (EHL) (1972–1973)
New England Whalers (WHA) (1974–1975)
Massachusetts Twisters (AISL/NISL) (2003–2009)
Website
Official Website

The Eastern States Coliseum, better known as the Big E Coliseum, is a 5,900-seat multi-purpose arena in West Springfield, Massachusetts.

History

[edit]

Built as the Eastern States Coliseum in 1916, adding to the facilities for the annual Eastern States Exposition, the Big E Coliseum was the longtime home of the Springfield Indians professional hockey team in the American Hockey League, and later served as a part-time home to the New England Whalers hockey team while the team was in the World Hockey Association.[1] In the 1940s through to the building of the Springfield Civic Center in 1972, the Coliseum frequently hosted local showings of the Ice Capades and the Ice Follies.[2] It was for many years the largest capacity rink in western Massachusetts, and was the home arena of several local high school hockey teams as well as a prominent venue for regional and state high school tournaments.[3]

In 1991, the ice plant was dismantled and hockey games are no longer played there.[4] The arena continues as a venue for The Big E, and hosts Shriner circuses, equestrian shows and other local events.[5] The Coliseum has often been the location for the draft horse World Championship Finals, serving as such in 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2009,[6] and has been a venue for rodeos.[7]

Springfield Indians

[edit]

The first game played in the new arena was a Canadian–American Hockey League game on December 1, 1926. Boxing promoter Tex Rickard dropped the ceremonial first puck. The Springfield Indians lost to the Providence Reds 3–1. In 1933, the parent New York Rangers decided to pull the franchise out of Springfield, but the Indians were back in the Coliseum for the 1935–36 season when Lucien Garneau transferred his Quebec Castors club to Springfield.

When World War II broke out, the Indians had to be suspended for the duration of the war due to the Eastern States Exposition grounds being commandeered by the Quartermaster Corps of the United States Army for use as a depot. The Indians were back at the Coliseum for the 1946–47 season until 1972, when the team moved into the new Springfield Civic Center in downtown Springfield at the start of the 1972–73 season.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Brown, Garry (May 9, 2009). "Hartford Whalers, now Carolina Hurricanes, found their way to Springfield Civic Center, Eastern States Coliseum". Springfield Union-News. Larry McDermott. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  2. ^ "Birthday Edition Of Ice Capades Hailed By Critics". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. November 1, 1959. Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  3. ^ Porter, Matt (March 13, 2008). "Cheers fade, but glory endures". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on September 21, 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  4. ^ Donahue, Chris (April 1, 1991). "Hockey mecca's demise leaves high schools scrambling". USA Today. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  5. ^ Eastern States Exhibition website
  6. ^ "BigE Draft Horse Show". The Big E. Eastern States Exhibition. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  7. ^ Blowen, Michael (March 27, 1993). "Rodeo king". Boston Globe. William Taylor. Archived from the original on September 21, 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
Preceded by Home of the
New England Whalers
1973 – 1975 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Big_E_Coliseum&oldid=1247615227"