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The '''Cycledrome''' was an [[American football]] [[stadium]] and [[velodrome]] located in [[Providence, Rhode Island]].<ref name="info">{{cite web |url=http://www.profootballhof.com/history/decades/1920s/providence.aspx |title=History: Providence Steam Roller |publisher=[[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] |accessdate=January 6, 2012}}</ref><ref group="note">This reference erroneously calls it the "Cyclodome."</ref> Its name derived from its intended use as a [[bicycle racing]] stadium (velodrome) when it was built in 1925 by sports promoter Pete Laudati.<ref name="info" /> The stadium was home to the [[Providence Steam Roller]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL) from 1925 to 1933, who played their games in the infield of the velodrome. The football field was snugly surrounded by a wooden track with steeply-banked ends,<ref name="velopic">{{cite web |url=http://www.artinruins.com/arch/?id=historical&pr=cyclodome#top5 |title=Providence Cycledrome |publisher=Rhode Island Art In Ruins |page=5 |accessdate=January 6, 2013}}</ref> which cut sharply into the [[end zone]]s and reduced them to just five yards in depth. During football games, temporary seating was permitted on the straight-away portion of the track, which was so close to the field that players, after being tackled, often found themselves in the stands.
The '''Cycledrome''' was an [[American football]] [[stadium]] and [[velodrome]] located in [[Providence, Rhode Island]].<ref name="info">{{cite web |url=http://www.profootballhof.com/history/decades/1920s/providence.aspx |title=History: Providence Steam Roller |publisher=[[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] |accessdate=January 6, 2012 |archive-date=September 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110915000212/http://www.profootballhof.com/history/decades/1920s/providence.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref group="note">This reference erroneously calls it the "Cyclodome."</ref> Its name derived from its intended use as a [[bicycle racing]] stadium (velodrome) when it was built in 1925.<ref name="info" />


==Construction==
In 1930 floodlights were installed at the stadium for night games, and the Steam Roller became the first NFL team to host a game under lights.<ref name="info" />
Construction of the Cycledrome was financed by [[Peter Laudati]].<ref name="info" /><ref name="Opening" /> It replaced the Cranston Cycledrome, which was demolished in 1924 to make way for a housing development. Charlie Turville, manager of the Cranston Cycledrome, was brought on to manage the Providence Cycledrome.<ref>{{cite web |last1=DeSimone |first1=Russell |title=A Bicycle Paradise: Peter Laudati, Vincent Madonna and the Providence Cycledrome, 1925-1934 |url=https://smallstatebighistory.com/a-bicycle-paradise-peter-laudati-vincent-madonna-and-the-providence-cycledrome-1925-1934/ |website=Small State, Big History}}</ref>


The Cycledrome was constructed on a plot of land behind an electric streetcar barn in between the cities of Providence and [[Pawtucket, Rhode Island]]. The venue had a capacity of 12,000, including 2,000 grandstand seats and 2,000 pavilion seats, and was surrounded by a promenade that provided shelter in case of rain. It was lit by 52 500-watt bulbs placed around the track. Improvements were also made to the surrounding area, which included adding street lights to North Main and Ann Mary Streets.<ref name="Opening">{{cite news |title=Bike Plant Here To Open Season May 29 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rBhhAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA55 |access-date=9 March 2024 |work=Providence News |date=May 19, 1925}}</ref> The Cycledrome held its first cycling event on May 29, 1925. The track was rebuilt in 1929 after it went "boom in several places" the previous year.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Markey |first1=Arthur |title=Here and There In The Sport World |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dSdhAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA10 |access-date=9 March 2024 |work=Providence News |date=April 15, 1929}}</ref>
The Cycledrome had a capacity of 10,000 spectators.<ref name="info" />


==Cycling==
⚫
The Cycledrome was located off of North Main Street, near the Providence-[[Pawtucket, Rhode Island|Pawtucket]] line. In its later years, the Cycledrome was the location of the E.M. Loewe's drive-in theater.<ref>{{cite news|last=Leddy|first=Bob|title=Class of '33 at La Salle Academy turns back the clock every month|newspaper=Journal-Bulletin|date=April 16, 1986}}</ref> The site is now home to an [[Ocean State Job Lot]] and a [[Peter Pan Bus Lines|Peter Pan Bus Terminal]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Steamroller football champs to be honored|newspaper=Providence Journal|date=October 13, 1989}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Reynolds|first=Bill|title=Providence wore NFL crown in '28|newspaper=Providence Journal - Bulletin|date=January 21, 1997}}</ref>
The track's most prestigious annual event was the "Golden Wheel", a 50-mile race that had previously been held at the Cranston Cycledrome.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sprint Stars Get Place on 'Drome Card |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mSdaAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA30 |access-date=9 March 2024 |work=Providence News |date=August 9, 1928}}</ref> The Cycledrome also hosted the [[Shriners|New England Shrine's]] "Race of Nations", which featured cyclists from the [[United States]], [[Italy]], [[Belgium]], and [[France]]. [[George M. Hendee]], a former champion cyclist and head potentate of the shrine, served as the race's starter.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nations Race Just One Of Many Events |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hidaAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA9 |access-date=9 March 2024 |work=Providence News |date=July 18, 1928}}</ref> In 1929, the Cycledrome held a round of the American [[motor-paced racing]] championship, which included [[Franco Giorgetti]], George Chapman, [[Victor Hopkins (cyclist)|Victor Hopkins]], and [[Gerard Debaets]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Six Riders Compete In Main Event |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DiJaAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA39 |access-date=9 March 2024 |work=Providence News |date=June 14, 1929}}</ref> The 1929 season finale was headlined by a motor-paced race between Chapman, Hopkins, Larry Gaffney, Victor Rousch, [[Alfred Letourneur]], [[Richard Lamb]], and [[Francesco Zucchetti]] and a sprint race between [[Robert Spears (cyclist)|Robert Spears]], Horace Horder, Edward Raffe, and John Bruskie.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bike Aces To Compete At Cycledrome |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hSVaAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA38 |access-date=9 March 2024 |work=Providence News |date=September 9, 1929}}</ref>

==Football==
The stadium was home to the [[Providence Steam Roller]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL) from 1925 to 1933, who played their games in the infield of the velodrome. The football field was snugly surrounded by a wooden track with steeply-banked ends,<ref name="velopic">{{cite web |url=https://artinruins.com/property/cyclodrome |title=Providence Cycledrome |publisher=Rhode Island Art in Ruins |page=5 |accessdate=January 6, 2013}}</ref> which cut sharply into the [[end zone]]s and reduced them to just five yards in depth. During football games, temporary seating was permitted on the straight-away portion of the track, which was so close to the field that players, after being tackled, often found themselves in the stands. In 1930, floodlights were installed at the stadium for night games, and the Steam Roller became the first NFL team to host a game under lights.<ref name="info" />

The Cycledrome was also used by the [[Providence Huskies]] and hosted high school games.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cranston High In 12-7 Win Oval Rivals |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nCBaAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA8 |access-date=9 March 2024 |work=Providence News |date=November 12, 1927}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Providence Huskies Defeat Fittons 12 to 0 |work=The Boston Globe |date=October 30, 1933}}</ref>

==Soccer==
The Cycledrome, along with [[Kinsley Park]] and Lonsdale Avenue Pitch, served as the home field for [[Providence F.C.]] of the [[American Soccer League (1921–1933)|American Soccer League]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Markey |first1=Arthur |title=Here and There In The Sport World |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SilaAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA43 |access-date=9 March 2024 |work=Providence News |date=April 12, 1929}}</ref> In 1929, the stadium hosted a match between [[Preston North End F.C.]] and [[Bethlehem Steel F.C. (1907–1930)|Bethlehem Steel F.C.]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Preston North Ends Ready for Bethlehem |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nsBcAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA11 |access-date=9 March 2024 |work=Evening Tribune |date=June 6, 1929}}</ref> In 1932, the [[Pawtucket Rangers]] played a game against the [[Boston Bears (soccer)|Boston Bears]] at the Cycledrome.<ref>{{cite news |title=Boston Booters Play At Providence On Sunday |work=The Boston Globe |date=March 12, 1932}}</ref>

==Boxing==
The Cycledrome hosted its first boxing event on June 3, 1925. It was headlined by [[Babe Herman (boxer)|Babe Herman]] and Tommy "Kid" Murphy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Says He Will Stop Murphy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AcZcAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA10 |access-date=9 March 2024 |work=Evening Tribune |date=June 3, 1925}}</ref> On August 25, 1931, the [[Veterans of Foreign Wars]] held a boxing card headlined by [[Lou Brouillard]] and Jackie Brady. Brouillard won the bout on points.<ref>{{cite news |title=Brouillard Gives Brady A Beating |work=The Boston Globe |date=August 26, 1931}}</ref> On September 5, 1932, Providence's Eddie Holmes defeated [[Christopher Battalino]] by decision at the Cycledrome.<ref>{{cite news |title=Holmes To Test Kaplan Thursday In Hartford Bout |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FFBHAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA3 |access-date=9 March 2024 |work=Meriden Record |date=October 10, 1932}}</ref> Holmes headlined a card at the Cycledrome the following year as well. He defeated Baby Joe Gans in ten rounds, while on the undercard [[Joey Archibald]] defeated Francis Walsh.<ref>{{cite news |title=Holmes Outpoints Gans |work=The Boston Globe |date=June 15, 1933}}</ref>

==Wrestling==
Gentleman Jack Washburn defeated Battling Billy Bartush in the main event of a wrestling card held at the Cycledrome on July 26, 1932.<ref>{{cite news |title=Washburn Winner |work=The Boston Globe |date=July 27, 1932}}</ref> On August 31, 1932, [[Henri Deglane]] defeated Casey Kazanjian in 45 minutes to retain his [[AWA World Heavyweight Championship (Boston version)|World Heavyweight Championship]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Deglane Slams Kazanjian |work=The Boston Globe |date=September 1, 1932}}</ref>

==Later years==
⚫
In its later years, the Cycledrome was the location of the E.M. Loewe's drive-in theater.<ref>{{cite news|last=Leddy|first=Bob|title=Class of '33 at La Salle Academy turns back the clock every month|newspaper=Journal-Bulletin|date=April 16, 1986}}</ref> The site is now home to an [[Ocean State Job Lot]] and a [[Peter Pan Bus Lines|Peter Pan Bus Terminal]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Steamroller football champs to be honored|newspaper=Providence Journal|date=October 13, 1989}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Reynolds|first=Bill|title=Providence wore NFL crown in '28|newspaper=Providence Journal - Bulletin|date=January 21, 1997}}</ref>


==Notes==
==Notes==
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[[Category:Providence Steam Roller]]
[[Category:Providence Steam Roller]]
[[Category:American football venues in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:American football venues in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Soccer venues in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Defunct sports venues in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Defunct sports venues in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Demolished sports venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Demolished sports venues in the United States]]
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[[Category:1925 establishments in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:1925 establishments in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:1937 disestablishments in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:1937 disestablishments in Rhode Island]]

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{{ProvidenceRI-struct-stub}}

Revision as of 22:03, 20 November 2024

Cycledrome
Map
LocationProvidence, Rhode Island
Coordinates41°51′25″N 71°24′07″W / 41.857°N 71.402°W / 41.857; -71.402
OwnerProvidence, Rhode Island
OperatorProvidence Steam Roller
Capacity10,000 (American football)
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Built1925
Closed1937
Demolished1938
Tenants
Providence Steam Roller (Ind.) (1916–1924)
Providence Steam Roller (NFL) (1925–1933)

The Cycledrome was an American football stadium and velodrome located in Providence, Rhode Island.[1][note 1] Its name derived from its intended use as a bicycle racing stadium (velodrome) when it was built in 1925.[1]

Construction

Construction of the Cycledrome was financed by Peter Laudati.[1][2] It replaced the Cranston Cycledrome, which was demolished in 1924 to make way for a housing development. Charlie Turville, manager of the Cranston Cycledrome, was brought on to manage the Providence Cycledrome.[3]

The Cycledrome was constructed on a plot of land behind an electric streetcar barn in between the cities of Providence and Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The venue had a capacity of 12,000, including 2,000 grandstand seats and 2,000 pavilion seats, and was surrounded by a promenade that provided shelter in case of rain. It was lit by 52 500-watt bulbs placed around the track. Improvements were also made to the surrounding area, which included adding street lights to North Main and Ann Mary Streets.[2] The Cycledrome held its first cycling event on May 29, 1925. The track was rebuilt in 1929 after it went "boom in several places" the previous year.[4]

Cycling

The track's most prestigious annual event was the "Golden Wheel", a 50-mile race that had previously been held at the Cranston Cycledrome.[5] The Cycledrome also hosted the New England Shrine's "Race of Nations", which featured cyclists from the United States, Italy, Belgium, and France. George M. Hendee, a former champion cyclist and head potentate of the shrine, served as the race's starter.[6] In 1929, the Cycledrome held a round of the American motor-paced racing championship, which included Franco Giorgetti, George Chapman, Victor Hopkins, and Gerard Debaets.[7] The 1929 season finale was headlined by a motor-paced race between Chapman, Hopkins, Larry Gaffney, Victor Rousch, Alfred Letourneur, Richard Lamb, and Francesco Zucchetti and a sprint race between Robert Spears, Horace Horder, Edward Raffe, and John Bruskie.[8]

Football

The stadium was home to the Providence Steam Roller of the National Football League (NFL) from 1925 to 1933, who played their games in the infield of the velodrome. The football field was snugly surrounded by a wooden track with steeply-banked ends,[9] which cut sharply into the end zones and reduced them to just five yards in depth. During football games, temporary seating was permitted on the straight-away portion of the track, which was so close to the field that players, after being tackled, often found themselves in the stands. In 1930, floodlights were installed at the stadium for night games, and the Steam Roller became the first NFL team to host a game under lights.[1]

The Cycledrome was also used by the Providence Huskies and hosted high school games.[10][11]

Soccer

The Cycledrome, along with Kinsley Park and Lonsdale Avenue Pitch, served as the home field for Providence F.C. of the American Soccer League.[12] In 1929, the stadium hosted a match between Preston North End F.C. and Bethlehem Steel F.C.[13] In 1932, the Pawtucket Rangers played a game against the Boston Bears at the Cycledrome.[14]

Boxing

The Cycledrome hosted its first boxing event on June 3, 1925. It was headlined by Babe Herman and Tommy "Kid" Murphy.[15] On August 25, 1931, the Veterans of Foreign Wars held a boxing card headlined by Lou Brouillard and Jackie Brady. Brouillard won the bout on points.[16] On September 5, 1932, Providence's Eddie Holmes defeated Christopher Battalino by decision at the Cycledrome.[17] Holmes headlined a card at the Cycledrome the following year as well. He defeated Baby Joe Gans in ten rounds, while on the undercard Joey Archibald defeated Francis Walsh.[18]

Wrestling

Gentleman Jack Washburn defeated Battling Billy Bartush in the main event of a wrestling card held at the Cycledrome on July 26, 1932.[19] On August 31, 1932, Henri Deglane defeated Casey Kazanjian in 45 minutes to retain his World Heavyweight Championship.[20]

Later years

In its later years, the Cycledrome was the location of the E.M. Loewe's drive-in theater.[21] The site is now home to an Ocean State Job Lot and a Peter Pan Bus Terminal.[22][23]

Notes

  1. ^ This reference erroneously calls it the "Cyclodome."

References

  1. ^ a b c d "History: Providence Steam Roller". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on September 15, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Bike Plant Here To Open Season May 29". Providence News. May 19, 1925. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  3. ^ DeSimone, Russell. "A Bicycle Paradise: Peter Laudati, Vincent Madonna and the Providence Cycledrome, 1925-1934". Small State, Big History.
  4. ^ Markey, Arthur (April 15, 1929). "Here and There In The Sport World". Providence News. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Sprint Stars Get Place on 'Drome Card". Providence News. August 9, 1928. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  6. ^ "Nations Race Just One Of Many Events". Providence News. July 18, 1928. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Six Riders Compete In Main Event". Providence News. June 14, 1929. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  8. ^ "Bike Aces To Compete At Cycledrome". Providence News. September 9, 1929. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Providence Cycledrome". Rhode Island Art in Ruins. p. 5. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  10. ^ "Cranston High In 12-7 Win Oval Rivals". Providence News. November 12, 1927. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  11. ^ "Providence Huskies Defeat Fittons 12 to 0". The Boston Globe. October 30, 1933.
  12. ^ Markey, Arthur (April 12, 1929). "Here and There In The Sport World". Providence News. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  13. ^ "Preston North Ends Ready for Bethlehem". Evening Tribune. June 6, 1929. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  14. ^ "Boston Booters Play At Providence On Sunday". The Boston Globe. March 12, 1932.
  15. ^ "Says He Will Stop Murphy". Evening Tribune. June 3, 1925. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  16. ^ "Brouillard Gives Brady A Beating". The Boston Globe. August 26, 1931.
  17. ^ "Holmes To Test Kaplan Thursday In Hartford Bout". Meriden Record. October 10, 1932. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  18. ^ "Holmes Outpoints Gans". The Boston Globe. June 15, 1933.
  19. ^ "Washburn Winner". The Boston Globe. July 27, 1932.
  20. ^ "Deglane Slams Kazanjian". The Boston Globe. September 1, 1932.
  21. ^ Leddy, Bob (April 16, 1986). "Class of '33 at La Salle Academy turns back the clock every month". Journal-Bulletin.
  22. ^ "Steamroller football champs to be honored". Providence Journal. October 13, 1989.
  23. ^ Reynolds, Bill (January 21, 1997). "Providence wore NFL crown in '28". Providence Journal - Bulletin.
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