Detroit Olympia: Difference between revisions

Detroit Olympia
"The Old Red Barn"
	Detroit Olympia in November 1964
Address	5920 Grand River Avenue
Location	Detroit, Michigan
Coordinates	42°21′16″N 83°6′2″W / 42.35444°N 83.10056°W
Owner	Detroit Red Wings; (Olympia Stadium Corporation)
Capacity	15,000
Construction
Broke ground	March 8, 1927
Opened	October 15, 1927
Closed	February 21, 1980
Demolished	July 10, 1986
Construction cost	US$2.5 million; ($43.9 million in 2023 dollars)
Architect	C. Howard Crane
General contractor	Walbridge Aldinger Co.
Tenants
	Detroit Cougars/Falcons/Red Wings (NHL) (1927–1979); Detroit Olympics (CPHL/IHL) (1927–1936); Detroit Falcons (BAA) (1946–1947); Detroit Pistons (NBA) (1957–1961)

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Detroit Olympia, also known as Olympia Stadium, was a multi-purpose arena in Detroit. Nicknamed "The Old Red Barn", it was best known as the home of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL) from its opening in 1927 to 1979.

History

Several Detroit businessmen organized the Detroit Hockey Club, Inc. in 1926 and purchased the Victoria Cougars hockey team, along with a site at the corner of Grand River Avenue and McGraw Street to construct an arena and engaged Detroit-based Walbridge Aldinger as general contractor.^[10] In July 1926, the Detroit Hockey Club unveiled drawings for the Olympia Stadium to be built on the site.^[11] The cornerstone for the building was laid by Mayor John W. Smith on March 8, 1927.^[12]

The Olympia opened on October 15, 1927; at that time the only other buildings that exceeded its seating capacity were Madison Square Garden and the London Olympia.^[13] The opening event was the International Stampede and Rodeo, which ran from October 15 to October 22.^[13]^[14] Shortly thereafter, the primary tenants of the building, the NHL Cougars, began their long residence. The Cougars played their first game at the Olympia on November 22, 1927, and Detroit's Johnny Sheppard scored the first goal at the new building.^[15] However, the visiting Ottawa Senators defeated the Cougars, 2–1. The Cougars later became the Falcons and finally, in 1932, were named the Detroit Red Wings by new owner James E. Norris.^[1]

In addition to the Red Wings, the Olympia was also home to the Detroit Olympics International Hockey League minor league team in the 1930s, the BAA's Detroit Falcons from 1946 to 1947, and the NBA's Detroit Pistons from 1957 to 1961; that period marked the only time until the opening of Little Caesars Arena in 2017 that the Red Wings and Pistons shared the same arena on a full-time basis.^[16]^[17]^[18] It hosted the NHL All-Star Game in 1950, 1952, 1954, and 1955, the NBA All-Star Game in 1959 and the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship (known as the "Frozen Four") in 1977 and 1979.^[19]

The Olympia was also a major venue for boxing through the International Boxing Club (featuring such prominent fights as Jake LaMotta's defeats of Sugar Ray Robinson) and professional wrestling, as well as other events such as the 1931 American Legion Convention which was addressed by President Herbert Hoover, and regular visits by the Harlem Globetrotters, Ice Capades, Shipstads and Johnson Ice Follies.^[20] It hosted concerts by The Beatles on September 6, 1964, and August 13, 1966,^[21] as well as concerts by other popular performers and bands, including Kiss, Led Zeppelin and Elvis Presley.^[22]^[23]^[24]

By the late 1970s, the neighborhood surrounding the Olympia had been in decline since the 1967 riots.^[22]^[25] In 1977, the Red Wings announced that they would be moving to a proposed arena in suburban Pontiac.^[26] The city of Detroit would counter with a proposed riverfront arena for much less rent that Pontiac was seeking. The package included operational control of both the new arena, nearby Cobo Arena and the adjoining parking structures. The Red Wings accepted Detroit's offer.^[27]^[28]

On December 15, 1979, three days after the first event held at Joe Louis Arena, the Red Wings played their final home game at the Olympia, a 4–4 tie against the Quebec Nordiques. Attendance at that game was 15,609. They would move to Joe Louis Arena on December 27.^[29] The final event at the building took place on February 21, 1980.^[3] It was demolished on July 10, 1986.^[4]^[5] Currently, the Michigan National Guard's Olympia Armory occupies the site. A historical marker posted inside the armory commemorates the Olympia.^[22]^[30]

The original OLYMPIA letters that adorned the sides of the building were placed into storage at Joe Louis Arena, then installed in Little Caesars Arena in 2017, which became the new home for the Red Wings.^[31]

Architecture

The building was 107 feet (32.6 m) tall and constructed of a steel frame faced with red brick with brown terra cotta and stone trim in a Romanesque Revival style. The Grand River and McGraw facades originally included 13 storefronts.^[1]^[32] Near the parapet were terra cotta medallions depicting various athletes. When it opened, Olympia contained the largest indoor skating rink in the United States at 242 ft (74 m) by 110 ft (34 m).^[14]^[22]

The Grand River facade featured three-story arched windows with a large recessed arch in the center. The large arch originally was filled with black glass. However, in later years, it was covered with wood, painted with the Red Wings emblem. Topping the facade was a pediment creating a gable-shaped roof.^[14]

The arena had five levels. The ground level through which patrons entered and featured a concourse that circled the seating area. Above were the mezzanine, main seating level and balcony. A fifth level not open to the public was just under the roof trusses. The trusses spanned 186 ft (57 m) and were 90 ft (27 m) above the floor.^[14]

The initial seating capacity was 11,563.^[22]^[33] On June 23, 1965, work began to add 81 ft (25 m) to the rear of the structure. The addition was four stories high and included additional seating and an escalator to improve patron access to the upper levels. It expanded seating to 13,375 in 1966 with standing room for 3,300 during hockey games.^[33] In addition to the new seats, the original 11,563 seats were replaced at a cost of $23 each and new boards and timeclocks were installed.^[14]

While not one of the most decorative, architect C. Howard Crane considered Olympia to be one of his most significant buildings. He noted the importance of the refrigeration system buried beneath the concrete. Within the 77,393 square feet (7,190.0 m²) of available floor space were 74,880 ft (22,820 m) of piping. The system was replaced in 1967 and the final modification to the building was the addition of private boxes in 1970.^[14]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Avison, Charles. "Olympia Stadium". Historic Detroit. Archived from the original on September 28, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
^ Wimmer, Robert (2000). Detroit's Olympia Stadium. Chicago: Arcadia Publishing. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-7385-0787-3. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
^ ^a ^b Wimmer, Robert (2000). Detroit's Olympia Stadium. Chicago: Arcadia Publishing. p. 121. ISBN 978-0-7385-0787-3. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
^ ^a ^b "Olympia's walls come tumbling down". Detroit Free Press. July 10, 1986. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "The life and times of Detroit's Olympia Stadium". The Detroit News. February 20, 2016. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
^ "Company History". Olympia Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
^ "Stadium Construction Financing: If You Fund It ..." Crain's Detroit Business. April 13, 2014. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
^ Wimmer, Robert (2000). Detroit's Olympia Stadium. Chicago: Arcadia Publishing. p. 10. ISBN 978-0-7385-0787-3. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
^ Gallagher, John (April 3, 2016). "Detroit-based Walbridge marks 100 years of building". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
^ "$1,250,000 Arena Planned for City: Detroit Hockey Club to Build at McGraw and Grand River Avenues". Detroit Free Press. August 1, 1926. p. 5. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
^ "'Stone Is Laid: Mayor Smith Wield Trowel at Olympia". Detroit Free Press. March 9, 1927. p. 18. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
^ ^a ^b "Cowboys Here to Open Arena: Great Olympia's Doors to Swing for Public Today; Formal Dedication Monday". Detroit Free Press. October 15, 1927. p. 4. Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Olympia Arena, 5920 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan" (PDF). Library of Congress-Historic American Buildings Survey. 1986. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 21, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
^ "Wings of Legend-Johnny Sheppard". NHL.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
^ "Detroit Olympics hockey team statistics and history". Hockeydb.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
^ "Detroit Falcons Basketball". NBA Hoops Online. Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
^ Haddad, Ken (September 21, 2016). "This isn't the first time the Pistons and Red Wings shared a home". WDIV News. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
^
- "NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1950". NHL.com. August 23, 2017. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
- "NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1952". NHL.com. August 23, 2017. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
- "NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1954". NHL.com. August 23, 2017. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
- "NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1955". NHL.com. August 23, 2017. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
- "1959 NBA All-Star recap". NBA.com. September 13, 2021. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- Hawkins, James (April 18, 2017). "Detroit gets Frozen Four, NCAA wrestling, more hoops". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on April 19, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
^
- Silver, Michael (November 19, 2003). "No heart-shaped boxes on this Valentine's Day". ESPN Classic. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- "Own a Piece of Detroit Sports History". CBS Detroit. July 22, 2011. Archived from the original on September 5, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- Wimmer, Robert (2001). Remembering Detroit's Olympia Stadium. Chicago: Arcadia Publishing. p. 46. ISBN 978-0-7385-1946-3. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- Wimmer, Robert (2000). Detroit's Olympia Stadium. Chicago: Arcadia Publishing. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-7385-0787-3. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
^ "The Beatles North American Concert Tickets". rarebeatles.com. 2001. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Lee, Ardelia (July 15, 2016). "A Great Arena on Grand River That's Now Gone: The Story of Detroit's Olympia Stadium". Daily Detroit. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
^ "Olympia Stadium - October 18, 1969 / Detroit". Led Zeppelin. 21 September 2007. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
^ "Olympia Stadium - January 31, 1975 / Detroit". Led Zeppelin. 22 September 2007. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
^ Krupa, Greg (October 17, 2016). "The Final Period Begins for Joe Louis Arena". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
^ "Red Wings Announce Move to Pontiac, Mich". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 2, 1977. Archived from the original on December 22, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
^ Seidel, Jeff (April 6, 2017). "Joe Louis Arena: Saying good-bye to the heart of Hockeytown". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on February 25, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
^ Henderson, Tom (September 10, 2017). "Of Olympia, Joe Louis Arena and a near-miss with history". Crain's Detroit Business. Archived from the original on September 10, 2017. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
^ "Tickets". NHL.com. Archived from the original on February 27, 2015. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
^ Bak, Richard (December 7, 2011). "Memories were made at The Old Red Barn". Vintage Detroit. Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
^ "Old Olympia letters go up at Red Wings new home, Little Caesars Arena". WXYZ News. August 30, 2017. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
^ "Olympia Arena (Olympia Stadium), Detroit Michigan". Historic Structures. October 17, 2013. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
^ ^a ^b Falls, Joe (September 30, 1995). "Those Magnificent Men in Red". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2019.

Events and tenants
Preceded by Border Cities Arena	Home of the Detroit Cougars/Falcons/Red Wings 1927 – 1979	Succeeded by Joe Louis Arena
Preceded by War Memorial Coliseum	Home of the Detroit Pistons 1957 – 1961	Succeeded by Cobo Arena
Preceded by First Arena	Home of the Detroit Olympics 1929 – 1936	Succeeded by Duquesne Gardens (Pittsburgh Hornets)
Preceded by Maple Leaf Gardens Maple Leaf Gardens Montreal Forum	Host of the NHL All-Star Game 1950 1952 1954–1955	Succeeded by Maple Leaf Gardens Montreal Forum Montreal Forum
Preceded by Kiel Auditorium	Host of the NBA All-Star Game 1959	Succeeded by Convention Hall
Preceded by University of Denver Arena Denver, Colorado	Host of the Frozen Four 1977	Succeeded by Providence Civic Center Providence, Rhode Island
Preceded by Providence Civic Center Providence, Rhode Island	Host of the Frozen Four 1979	Succeeded by Providence Civic Center Providence, Rhode Island

[Avison-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Avison, Charles. "Olympia Stadium". Historic Detroit. Archived from the original on September 28, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2015.

[2] Wimmer, Robert (2000). Detroit's Olympia Stadium. Chicago: Arcadia Publishing. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-7385-0787-3. Retrieved February 27, 2015.

[Page_121-3] Wimmer, Robert (2000). Detroit's Olympia Stadium. Chicago: Arcadia Publishing. p. 121. ISBN 978-0-7385-0787-3. Retrieved February 27, 2015.

[Demolition-4] "Olympia's walls come tumbling down". Detroit Free Press. July 10, 1986. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.

[Olympia_gallery-5] "The life and times of Detroit's Olympia Stadium". The Detroit News. February 20, 2016. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.

[6] "Company History". Olympia Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2019.

[7] "Stadium Construction Financing: If You Fund It ..." Crain's Detroit Business. April 13, 2014. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2014.

[inflation-US-8] 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.

[9] Wimmer, Robert (2000). Detroit's Olympia Stadium. Chicago: Arcadia Publishing. p. 10. ISBN 978-0-7385-0787-3. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2015.

[10] Gallagher, John (April 3, 2016). "Detroit-based Walbridge marks 100 years of building". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2022.

[11] "$1,250,000 Arena Planned for City: Detroit Hockey Club to Build at McGraw and Grand River Avenues". Detroit Free Press. August 1, 1926. p. 5. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.

[12] "'Stone Is Laid: Mayor Smith Wield Trowel at Olympia". Detroit Free Press. March 9, 1927. p. 18. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.

[Cow-13] "Cowboys Here to Open Arena: Great Olympia's Doors to Swing for Public Today; Formal Dedication Monday". Detroit Free Press. October 15, 1927. p. 4. Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.

[loc-14] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Olympia Arena, 5920 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan" (PDF). Library of Congress-Historic American Buildings Survey. 1986. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 21, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2019.

[history-15] "Wings of Legend-Johnny Sheppard". NHL.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2011.

[16] "Detroit Olympics hockey team statistics and history". Hockeydb.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2019.

[17] "Detroit Falcons Basketball". NBA Hoops Online. Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2019.

[18] Haddad, Ken (September 21, 2016). "This isn't the first time the Pistons and Red Wings shared a home". WDIV News. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2019.

[19] 
"NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1950". NHL.com. August 23, 2017. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
"NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1952". NHL.com. August 23, 2017. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
"NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1954". NHL.com. August 23, 2017. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
"NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1955". NHL.com. August 23, 2017. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
"1959 NBA All-Star recap". NBA.com. September 13, 2021. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
Hawkins, James (April 18, 2017). "Detroit gets Frozen Four, NCAA wrestling, more hoops". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on April 19, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2019.

[20] "NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1950". NHL.com. August 23, 2017. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2019.

[21] "NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1952". NHL.com. August 23, 2017. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2019.

[22] "NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1954". NHL.com. August 23, 2017. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2019.

[23] "NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1955". NHL.com. August 23, 2017. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2019.

[24] "1959 NBA All-Star recap". NBA.com. September 13, 2021. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.

[25] Hawkins, James (April 18, 2017). "Detroit gets Frozen Four, NCAA wrestling, more hoops". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on April 19, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2019.

[20] 
Silver, Michael (November 19, 2003). "No heart-shaped boxes on this Valentine's Day". ESPN Classic. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
"Own a Piece of Detroit Sports History". CBS Detroit. July 22, 2011. Archived from the original on September 5, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
Wimmer, Robert (2001). Remembering Detroit's Olympia Stadium. Chicago: Arcadia Publishing. p. 46. ISBN 978-0-7385-1946-3. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
Wimmer, Robert (2000). Detroit's Olympia Stadium. Chicago: Arcadia Publishing. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-7385-0787-3. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2019.

[27] Silver, Michael (November 19, 2003). "No heart-shaped boxes on this Valentine's Day". ESPN Classic. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.

[28] "Own a Piece of Detroit Sports History". CBS Detroit. July 22, 2011. Archived from the original on September 5, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2019.

[29] Wimmer, Robert (2001). Remembering Detroit's Olympia Stadium. Chicago: Arcadia Publishing. p. 46. ISBN 978-0-7385-1946-3. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2019.

[30] Wimmer, Robert (2000). Detroit's Olympia Stadium. Chicago: Arcadia Publishing. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-7385-0787-3. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2019.

[rare-21] "The Beatles North American Concert Tickets". rarebeatles.com. 2001. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved August 17, 2013.

[Lee-22] Lee, Ardelia (July 15, 2016). "A Great Arena on Grand River That's Now Gone: The Story of Detroit's Olympia Stadium". Daily Detroit. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.

[23] "Olympia Stadium - October 18, 1969 / Detroit". Led Zeppelin. 21 September 2007. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2019.

[24] "Olympia Stadium - January 31, 1975 / Detroit". Led Zeppelin. 22 September 2007. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2019.

[25] Krupa, Greg (October 17, 2016). "The Final Period Begins for Joe Louis Arena". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2019.

[26] "Red Wings Announce Move to Pontiac, Mich". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 2, 1977. Archived from the original on December 22, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2019.

[27] Seidel, Jeff (April 6, 2017). "Joe Louis Arena: Saying good-bye to the heart of Hockeytown". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on February 25, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.

[28] Henderson, Tom (September 10, 2017). "Of Olympia, Joe Louis Arena and a near-miss with history". Crain's Detroit Business. Archived from the original on September 10, 2017. Retrieved May 29, 2019.

[29] "Tickets". NHL.com. Archived from the original on February 27, 2015. Retrieved May 29, 2019.

[30] Bak, Richard (December 7, 2011). "Memories were made at The Old Red Barn". Vintage Detroit. Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved February 29, 2020.

[31] "Old Olympia letters go up at Red Wings new home, Little Caesars Arena". WXYZ News. August 30, 2017. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.

[32] "Olympia Arena (Olympia Stadium), Detroit Michigan". Historic Structures. October 17, 2013. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.

[news-33] Falls, Joe (September 30, 1995). "Those Magnificent Men in Red". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2019.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Short description|Multi purpose arena in Michigan}}
+{{Short description|Former arena in Detroit}}
 {{Infobox venue
 | stadium_name        = Detroit Olympia
-| nickname            = ''"The Old Red Barn"''<ref name=Avison>{{cite web| first=Charles| last=Avison| title=Olympia Stadium| url=http://www.historicdetroit.org/building/olympia-stadium/ |work=Historic Detroit| access-date=February 27, 2015}}</ref>
+| nickname            = ''"The Old Red Barn"''<ref name=Avison>{{cite web| first=Charles| last=Avison| title=Olympia Stadium| url=https://www.historicdetroit.org/buildings/olympia-stadium| work=Historic Detroit| access-date=February 27, 2015| archive-date=September 28, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928133546/https://www.historicdetroit.org/buildings/olympia-stadium| url-status=live}}</ref>
 | image               = [[File:Olympia arena Detroit.jpg|270px]]
-| caption             = Grand River façade, November 1964
+| caption             = Detroit Olympia in November 1964
 | address             = 5920 [[Grand River Avenue]]<ref name=Avison/>
 | location            = [[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]]<ref name=Avison/>
@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 | opened              = October 15, 1927<ref name=Avison/><ref>{{cite book| first=Robert| last=Wimmer| title=Detroit's Olympia Stadium| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZRaWKqHdrBkC&q=olympia+stadium+detroit+Walbridge+Aldinger+Co.&pg=PA9| publisher=Arcadia Publishing| location=Chicago| isbn=978-0-7385-0787-3| page=9| year=2000| access-date=February 27, 2015}}</ref>
 | closed              = February 21, 1980<ref name="Page 121">{{cite book| first=Robert| last=Wimmer| title=Detroit's Olympia Stadium| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZRaWKqHdrBkC&q=olympia+stadium+detroit+Walbridge+Aldinger+Co.&pg=PA121| publisher=Arcadia Publishing| location=Chicago| isbn=978-0-7385-0787-3| page=121| year=2000|access-date=February 27, 2015}}</ref>
+| demolished          = July 10, 1986<ref name="Demolition">{{cite news|title=Olympia's walls come tumbling down|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-olympia-demolition-8/33084591/|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=July 10, 1986|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903145743/https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-olympia-demolition-8/33084591/|archive-date=September 3, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Olympia gallery">{{cite web|title=The life and times of Detroit's Olympia Stadium|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/picture-gallery/news/local/michigan-history/2016/02/20/the-life-and-times-of-detroits-olympia-stadium/80271686/|website=The Detroit News|date=February 20, 2016|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240903115636/https://www.detroitnews.com/picture-gallery/news/local/michigan-history/2016/02/20/the-life-and-times-of-detroits-olympia-stadium/80271686/|archive-date=September 3, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
-| demolished          = September 1987<ref name=Avison/><ref name=WXYZ>{{cite news| title=Old Olympia letters go up at Red Wings new home, Little Caesars Arena| url=http://www.wxyz.com/news/old-olympia-letters-go-up-at-little-caesars-arena| work=[[WXYZ-TV|WXYZ News]]| date=August 30, 2017|access-date=May 29, 2019}}</ref>
-| owner               = [[Detroit Red Wings]]<br /><small>([[Olympia Entertainment|Olympia Stadium Corporation]])</small><ref>{{cite web| title=Company History| url=http://www.olympiaentertainment.com/about-olympia-entertainment/company-history|website=Olympia Entertainment|access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref>
+| owner               = [[Detroit Red Wings]]<br /><small>([[Olympia Entertainment|Olympia Stadium Corporation]])</small><ref>{{cite web| title=Company History| url=http://www.olympiaentertainment.com/about-olympia-entertainment/company-history|website=Olympia Entertainment|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209171906/http://www.olympiaentertainment.com/about-olympia-entertainment/company-history|archivedate=February 9, 2014|access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref>
-| construction_cost   = US$2.5 million<ref>{{cite web |title=Stadium Construction Financing: If You Fund It ...|url=http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20140413/NEWS/304139954/stadium-construction-financing-if-you-fund-it |work=[[Crain Communications|Crain's Detroit Business]] |date=April 13, 2014 |access-date=February 27, 2014}}</ref><br />(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|2500000|1927}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})
+| construction_cost   = US$2.5 million<ref>{{cite web |title=Stadium Construction Financing: If You Fund It ...|url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20140413/NEWS/304139954/stadium-construction-financing-if-you-fund-it |work=[[Crain Communications|Crain's Detroit Business]] |date=April 13, 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831221015/https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20140413/NEWS/304139954/stadium-construction-financing-if-you-fund-it |archivedate=August 31, 2017 |access-date=February 27, 2014}}</ref><br />(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|2500000|1927}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})
 | architect           = [[C. Howard Crane]]<ref name=Avison/>
-| general_contractor  = Walbridge Aldinger Co.<ref>{{cite book| first=Robert| last=Wimmer| title=Detroit's Olympia Stadium| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZRaWKqHdrBkC&q=olympia+stadium+detroit+Walbridge+Aldinger+Co.&pg=PA10| publisher=Arcadia Publishing| location=Chicago| isbn=978-0-7385-0787-3| page=10| year=2000| access-date=February 27, 2015}}</ref>
+| general_contractor  = Walbridge Aldinger Co.<ref>{{cite book| first=Robert| last=Wimmer| title=Detroit's Olympia Stadium| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZRaWKqHdrBkC&q=olympia+stadium+detroit+Walbridge+Aldinger+Co.&pg=PA10| publisher=Arcadia Publishing| location=Chicago| isbn=978-0-7385-0787-3| page=10| year=2000| access-date=February 27, 2015| archive-date=February 29, 2024| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229192157/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZRaWKqHdrBkC&q=olympia+stadium+detroit+Walbridge+Aldinger+Co.&pg=PA10#v=snippet&q=olympia%20stadium%20detroit%20Walbridge%20Aldinger%20Co.&f=false| url-status=live}}</ref>
 | former_names        =
 | tenants             = [[Detroit Red Wings|Detroit Cougars/Falcons/Red Wings]] ([[National Hockey League|NHL]]) (1927–1979)<br />[[Detroit Olympics]] ([[Canadian Professional Hockey League|CPHL]]/[[International Hockey League (1929–1936)|IHL]]) (1927–1936)<br />[[Detroit Falcons (basketball)|Detroit Falcons]] ([[Basketball Association of America|BAA]]) (1946–1947)<br />[[Detroit Pistons]] ([[National Basketball Association|NBA]]) (1957–1961)
 | seating_capacity    = 15,000
-|}}
+}}
-'''Detroit Olympia''', also known as '''Olympia Stadium''', was a multi-purpose arena in [[Detroit]]. Nicknamed "The Old Red Barn", it was best known as the home of the [[Detroit Red Wings]] of the [[National Hockey League]] from its opening in 1927 to 1979.
+'''Detroit Olympia''', also known as '''Olympia Stadium''', was a multi-purpose [[arena]] in [[Detroit]]. Nicknamed "The Old Red Barn", it was best known as the home of the [[Detroit Red Wings]] of the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) from its opening in 1927 to 1979.
 ==History==
-Several Detroit businessmen organized the Detroit Hockey Club, Inc. in 1926 and purchased the [[Victoria Cougars]] hockey team, along with a site at the corner of Grand River Avenue and McGraw Street to construct an arena. In July 1926, the Detroit Hockey Club unveiled drawings for the Olympia Stadium to be built on the site.<ref>{{cite news| title=$1,250,000 Arena Planned for City: Detroit Hockey Club to Build at McGraw and Grand River Avenues| newspaper=[[Detroit Free Press]]| date=August 1, 1926| page=5| url=https://freep.newspapers.com/clip/3684229/1250000_arena_planned_for_city/}}</ref> The cornerstone for the building was laid by Mayor [[John W. Smith (Detroit mayor)|John W. Smith]] on March 8, 1927.<ref>{{cite news| title='Stone Is Laid: Mayor Smith Wield Trowel at Olympia| newspaper=Detroit Free Press| date=March 9, 1927| page=18| url=https://freep.newspapers.com/clip/3684259/stone_is_laid/}}</ref>
+Several Detroit businessmen organized the Detroit Hockey Club, Inc. in 1926 and purchased the [[Victoria Cougars]] hockey team, along with a site at the corner of Grand River Avenue and McGraw Street to construct an arena and engaged Detroit-based Walbridge Aldinger as general contractor.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2016/04/03/detroit-walbridge-chrysler-ford-construction/82421022/| title=Detroit-based Walbridge marks 100 years of building| newspaper=[[Detroit Free Press]]| first=John| last=Gallagher| date=April 3, 2016| access-date=February 23, 2022| archive-date=February 17, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217190356/https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2016/04/03/detroit-walbridge-chrysler-ford-construction/82421022/| url-status=live}}</ref> In July 1926, the Detroit Hockey Club unveiled drawings for the Olympia Stadium to be built on the site.<ref>{{cite news| title=$1,250,000 Arena Planned for City: Detroit Hockey Club to Build at McGraw and Grand River Avenues| newspaper=[[Detroit Free Press]]| date=August 1, 1926| page=5| url=https://freep.newspapers.com/clip/3684229/1250000_arena_planned_for_city/| access-date=July 24, 2016| archive-date=August 18, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818193611/https://freep.newspapers.com/clip/3684229/1250000_arena_planned_for_city/| url-status=live}}</ref> The cornerstone for the building was laid by Mayor [[John W. Smith (Detroit mayor)|John W. Smith]] on March 8, 1927.<ref>{{cite news| title='Stone Is Laid: Mayor Smith Wield Trowel at Olympia| newspaper=Detroit Free Press| date=March 9, 1927| page=18| url=https://freep.newspapers.com/clip/3684259/stone_is_laid/| access-date=July 24, 2016| archive-date=August 18, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818163709/https://freep.newspapers.com/clip/3684259/stone_is_laid/| url-status=live}}</ref>
-The Olympia opened on October 15, 1927; at that time the only other buildings that exceeded its seating capacity were [[Madison Square Garden (1925)|Madison Square Garden]] and the [[London Olympia]].<ref name=Cow/> The opening event was the International Stampede and Rodeo, which ran from October 15 to October 22.<ref name="Cow">{{cite news| title=Cowboys Here to Open Arena: Great Olympia's Doors to Swing for Public Today; Formal Dedication Monday| newspaper=Detroit Free Press| date=October 15, 1927| page=4| url=https://freep.newspapers.com/clip/3684311/cowboys_here_to_open_arena/}}</ref><ref name="loc">{{cite web| title=Olympia Arena, 5920 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan| url=https://cdn.loc.gov/master/pnp/habshaer/mi/mi0100/mi0185/data/mi0185data.pdf|publisher=Library of Congress-Historic American Buildings Survey| year=1986|access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, the primary tenants of the building, the NHL Cougars, began their long residence.  The Cougars played their first game at the Olympia on November 22, 1927, and Detroit's [[Johnny Sheppard]] scored the first goal at the new building.<ref name="history">{{cite web |title=Wings of Legend-Johnny Sheppard |url=http://redwings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?bcid=his_wol_wol-johnsheppard |publisher=Detroit Red Wings |access-date=January 21, 2011}}</ref> However, the visiting [[Ottawa Senators (original)|Ottawa Senators]] defeated the Cougars, 2–1. The Cougars later became the Falcons and finally, in 1932, were named the Detroit Red Wings by new owner [[James E. Norris]].<ref name=Avison/>
+The Olympia opened on October 15, 1927; at that time the only other buildings that exceeded its seating capacity were [[Madison Square Garden (1925)|Madison Square Garden]] and the [[London Olympia]].<ref name=Cow/> The opening event was the International Stampede and Rodeo, which ran from October 15 to October 22.<ref name="Cow">{{cite news| title=Cowboys Here to Open Arena: Great Olympia's Doors to Swing for Public Today; Formal Dedication Monday| newspaper=Detroit Free Press| date=October 15, 1927| page=4| url=https://freep.newspapers.com/clip/3684311/cowboys_here_to_open_arena/| access-date=July 24, 2016| archive-date=August 19, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819001514/https://freep.newspapers.com/clip/3684311/cowboys_here_to_open_arena/| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="loc">{{cite web| title=Olympia Arena, 5920 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan| url=https://cdn.loc.gov/master/pnp/habshaer/mi/mi0100/mi0185/data/mi0185data.pdf| website=Library of Congress-Historic American Buildings Survey| year=1986| access-date=June 3, 2019| archive-date=June 21, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621065034/https://cdn.loc.gov/master/pnp/habshaer/mi/mi0100/mi0185/data/mi0185data.pdf| url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, the primary tenants of the building, the NHL Cougars, began their long residence.  The Cougars played their first game at the Olympia on November 22, 1927, and Detroit's [[Johnny Sheppard]] scored the first goal at the new building.<ref name="history">{{cite web |title=Wings of Legend-Johnny Sheppard |url=https://redwings.ice.nhl.com/club/page.htm?bcid=his_wol_wol-johnsheppard |website=NHL.com |access-date=January 21, 2011 |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805064239/https://redwings.ice.nhl.com/club/page.htm?bcid=his_wol_wol-johnsheppard |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the visiting [[Ottawa Senators (original)|Ottawa Senators]] defeated the Cougars, 2–1. The Cougars later became the Falcons and finally, in 1932, were named the Detroit Red Wings by new owner [[James E. Norris]].<ref name=Avison/>
-In addition to the Red Wings, the Olympia was also home to the [[Detroit Olympics]] [[International Hockey League (1929–1936)|International Hockey League]] minor league team in the 1930s, the [[Basketball Association of America|BAA]]'s [[Detroit Falcons (basketball)|Detroit Falcons]] from 1946 to 1947, and the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]'s [[Detroit Pistons]] from 1957 to 1961; that period marked the only time until the opening of [[Little Caesars Arena]] in 2017 that the Red Wings and Pistons shared the same arena on a full-time basis.<ref>{{cite web|title=Detroit Olympics hockey team statistics and history|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/detroit-olympics-5488.html|website=Hockeydb.com|access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Detroit Falcons Basketball|url=http://www.nbahoopsonline.com/teams/Xdefunct/DetroitFalcons/|website=NBA Hoops Online|access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| first=Ken| last=Haddad| title=This isn't the first time the Pistons and Red Wings shared a home| url=https://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/nba/pistons/this-isnt-the-first-time-the-pistons-and-red-wings-shared-a-home| work=[[WDIV-TV|WDIV News]]| date=September 21, 2016| access-date=May 29, 2019}}</ref> It hosted the [[National Hockey League All-Star Game|NHL All-Star Game]] in [[4th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1950]], [[6th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1952]], [[8th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1954]], and [[9th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1955]], the [[NBA All-Star Game]] in [[1959 NBA All-Star Game|1959]] and the [[NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship]] (known as the "Frozen Four") in [[1977 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament|1977]] and [[1979 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament|1979]].<ref>{{cite web| title=NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1950| url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=28918| website=NHL.com| date=August 23, 2017| access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1952| url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=28920| website=NHL.com| date=August 23, 2017| access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1954| url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=28922| website=NHL.com| date=August 23, 2017| access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1955| url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=28923| website=NHL.com| date=August 23, 2017| access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=1959 NBA All-Star recap| url=https://www.nba.com/history/all-star/1959| website=NBA.com| date=August 23, 2017| access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| first=James| last=Hawkins| title=Detroit gets Frozen Four, NCAA wrestling, more hoops| url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/college/2017/04/18/little-caesars-arena-awarded-ncaa-events/100605758/| newspaper=The Detroit News| date=April 18, 2017| access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref>
+In addition to the Red Wings, the Olympia was also home to the [[Detroit Olympics]] [[International Hockey League (1929–1936)|International Hockey League]] minor league team in the 1930s, the [[Basketball Association of America|BAA]]'s [[Detroit Falcons (basketball)|Detroit Falcons]] from 1946 to 1947, and the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]'s [[Detroit Pistons]] from 1957 to 1961; that period marked the only time until the opening of [[Little Caesars Arena]] in 2017 that the Red Wings and Pistons shared the same arena on a full-time basis.<ref>{{cite web| title=Detroit Olympics hockey team statistics and history| url=https://www.hockeydb.com/stte/detroit-olympics-5488.html| website=Hockeydb.com| access-date=June 3, 2019| archive-date=September 21, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921024208/http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/detroit-olympics-5488.html| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Detroit Falcons Basketball| url=https://www.nbahoopsonline.com/teams/Xdefunct/DetroitFalcons/| website=NBA Hoops Online| access-date=June 3, 2019| archive-date=August 4, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804220035/http://www.nbahoopsonline.com/teams/Xdefunct/DetroitFalcons/| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| first=Ken| last=Haddad| title=This isn't the first time the Pistons and Red Wings shared a home| url=https://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/nba/pistons/this-isnt-the-first-time-the-pistons-and-red-wings-shared-a-home| work=[[WDIV-TV|WDIV News]]| date=September 21, 2016| access-date=May 29, 2019| archive-date=July 23, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723212528/https://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/nba/pistons/this-isnt-the-first-time-the-pistons-and-red-wings-shared-a-home| url-status=live}}</ref> It hosted the [[National Hockey League All-Star Game|NHL All-Star Game]] in [[4th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1950]], [[6th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1952]], [[8th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1954]], and [[9th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1955]], the [[NBA All-Star Game]] in [[1959 NBA All-Star Game|1959]] and the [[NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship]] (known as the "Frozen Four") in [[1977 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament|1977]] and [[1979 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament|1979]].<ref>{{multiref2
+|1={{cite web| title=NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1950| url=https://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=28918| website=NHL.com| date=August 23, 2017| access-date=June 3, 2019| archive-date=July 3, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703233215/http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=28918| url-status=live}}
+|2={{cite web| title=NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1952| url=https://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=28920| website=NHL.com| date=August 23, 2017| access-date=June 3, 2019| archive-date=July 2, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702065017/http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=28920| url-status=live}}
+|3={{cite web| title=NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1954| url=https://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=28922| website=NHL.com| date=August 23, 2017| access-date=June 3, 2019| archive-date=July 4, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704083914/http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=28922| url-status=live}}
+|4={{cite web| title=NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1955| url=https://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=28923| website=NHL.com| date=August 23, 2017| access-date=June 3, 2019| archive-date=July 2, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702071325/http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=28923| url-status=live}}
+|5={{cite web| title=1959 NBA All-Star recap| url=https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1959| website=NBA.com| date=September 13, 2021| access-date=August 5, 2023| archive-date=August 5, 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805065948/https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1959| url-status=live}}
+|6={{cite news| first=James| last=Hawkins| title=Detroit gets Frozen Four, NCAA wrestling, more hoops| url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/2017/04/18/little-caesars-arena-awarded-ncaa-events/100605758/| newspaper=The Detroit News| date=April 18, 2017| access-date=June 3, 2019| archive-date=April 19, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419035758/http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/2017/04/18/little-caesars-arena-awarded-ncaa-events/100605758/| url-status=live}}
+}}</ref>
+The Olympia was also a major venue for [[boxing]] through the [[International Boxing Club]] (featuring such prominent fights as [[Jake LaMotta]]'s defeats of [[Sugar Ray Robinson]]) and [[professional wrestling]], as well as other events such as the 1931 [[American Legion]] Convention which was addressed by President [[Herbert Hoover]], and regular visits by the [[Harlem Globetrotters]], [[Ice Capades]], Shipstads and Johnson [[Ice Follies]].<ref>{{multiref2
-The Olympia was also a major venue for [[boxing]] through the [[International Boxing Club]] (featuring such prominent fights as [[Jake LaMotta]]'s defeats of [[Sugar Ray Robinson]]) and [[professional wrestling]], as well as other events such as the 1931 [[American Legion]] Convention which was addressed by President [[Herbert Hoover]], and regular visits by the [[Harlem Globetrotters]], [[Ice Capades]], Shipstads and Johnson [[Ice Follies]].<ref>{{cite web| first=Michael| last=Silver| title=No heart-shaped boxes on this Valentine's Day|url=https://www.espn.com/classic/s/valentine_silver.html| website=ESPN Classic| date=November 19, 2003| access-date=May 29, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Own a Piece of Detroit Sports History| url=https://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/07/22/own-a-piece-of-detroit-sports-history/|website=CBS Detroit| date=July 22, 2011| access-date=May 29, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| first=Robert| last=Wimmer| title=Remembering Detroit's Olympia Stadium| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-qqUVvIyt5UC&q=olympia+stadium+detroit+ice+follies&pg=PA46| publisher=Arcadia Publishing| location=Chicago| isbn=978-0-7385-1946-3| page=46| year=2001| access-date=May 29, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| first=Robert| last=Wimmer| title=Detroit's Olympia Stadium| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZRaWKqHdrBkC&q=olympia+stadium+detroit+Walbridge+Aldinger+Co.&pg=PA22| publisher=Arcadia Publishing| location=Chicago| isbn=978-0-7385-0787-3| page=22| year=2000| access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref> It hosted concerts by [[The Beatles]] on September 6, 1964 and August 13, 1966,<ref name="rare">{{cite web| title=The Beatles North American Concert Tickets| url=http://www.rarebeatles.com/photopg7/photopg7.htm| publisher=rarebeatles.com| date=2001| access-date=August 17, 2013}}</ref> as well as concerts by other popular performers and bands, including [[Led Zeppelin]] and [[Elvis Presley]].<ref name=Lee>{{cite journal| first=Ardelia|last=Lee|title=A Great Arena on Grand River That's Now Gone: The Story of Detroit's Olympia Stadium| url=http://www.dailydetroit.com/2016/07/15/olympia-arena-stadium/| journal=Daily Detroit| date=July 15, 2016|access-date=May 29, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Olympia Stadium - October 18, 1969 / Detroit| url=http://www.ledzeppelin.com/show/october-18-1969| website=Led Zeppelin| access-date=May 29, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Olympia Stadium - January 31, 1975 / Detroit| url=http://www.ledzeppelin.com/show/january-31-1975|website=Led Zeppelin| access-date=May 29, 2019}}</ref>
+|1={{cite web| first=Michael| last=Silver| title=No heart-shaped boxes on this Valentine's Day| url=https://www.espn.com/classic/s/valentine_silver.html| website=ESPN Classic| date=November 19, 2003| access-date=May 29, 2019| archive-date=May 29, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529201045/https://www.espn.com/classic/s/valentine_silver.html| url-status=live}}
+|2={{cite web| title=Own a Piece of Detroit Sports History| url=https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/own-a-piece-of-detroit-sports-history/| website=CBS Detroit| date=July 22, 2011| access-date=May 29, 2019| archive-date=September 5, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905053925/https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/own-a-piece-of-detroit-sports-history/| url-status=live}}
+|3={{cite book| first=Robert| last=Wimmer| title=Remembering Detroit's Olympia Stadium| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-qqUVvIyt5UC&q=olympia+stadium+detroit+ice+follies&pg=PA46| publisher=Arcadia Publishing| location=Chicago| isbn=978-0-7385-1946-3| page=46| year=2001| access-date=May 29, 2019| archive-date=February 29, 2024| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229192034/https://books.google.com/books?id=-qqUVvIyt5UC&q=olympia+stadium+detroit+ice+follies&pg=PA46#v=snippet&q=olympia%20stadium%20detroit%20ice%20follies&f=false| url-status=live}}
+|4={{cite book| first=Robert| last=Wimmer| title=Detroit's Olympia Stadium| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZRaWKqHdrBkC&q=olympia+stadium+detroit+Walbridge+Aldinger+Co.&pg=PA22| publisher=Arcadia Publishing| location=Chicago| isbn=978-0-7385-0787-3| page=22| year=2000| access-date=June 3, 2019| archive-date=February 29, 2024| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229192055/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZRaWKqHdrBkC&q=olympia+stadium+detroit+Walbridge+Aldinger+Co.&pg=PA22#v=snippet&q=olympia%20stadium%20detroit%20Walbridge%20Aldinger%20Co.&f=false| url-status=live}}
+}}</ref> It hosted concerts by [[The Beatles]] on September 6, 1964, and August 13, 1966,<ref name="rare">{{cite web| title=The Beatles North American Concert Tickets| url=http://www.rarebeatles.com/photopg7/photopg7.htm| publisher=rarebeatles.com| date=2001| access-date=August 17, 2013| archive-date=September 27, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927224258/http://www.rarebeatles.com/photopg7/photopg7.htm| url-status=live}}</ref> as well as concerts by other popular performers and bands, including [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]], [[Led Zeppelin]] and [[Elvis Presley]].<ref name=Lee>{{cite journal| first=Ardelia| last=Lee| title=A Great Arena on Grand River That's Now Gone: The Story of Detroit's Olympia Stadium| url=http://www.dailydetroit.com/2016/07/15/olympia-arena-stadium/| journal=Daily Detroit| date=July 15, 2016| access-date=May 29, 2019| archive-date=May 29, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529182231/http://www.dailydetroit.com/2016/07/15/olympia-arena-stadium/| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Olympia Stadium - October 18, 1969 / Detroit| url=https://www.ledzeppelin.com/show/olympia-stadium-october-18-1969| website=Led Zeppelin| date=21 September 2007| access-date=May 29, 2019| archive-date=July 14, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714215334/https://www.ledzeppelin.com/show/olympia-stadium-october-18-1969| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Olympia Stadium - January 31, 1975 / Detroit| url=https://www.ledzeppelin.com/show/olympia-stadium-january-31-1975| website=Led Zeppelin| date=22 September 2007| access-date=May 29, 2019| archive-date=June 27, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627085927/https://www.ledzeppelin.com/show/olympia-stadium-january-31-1975| url-status=live}}</ref>
-By the late 1970s, the neighborhood surrounding the Olympia had been in decline since the [[1967 Detroit riot|1967 riots]].<ref name=Lee/><ref>{{cite news| first=Greg| last=Krupa| title=The Final Period Begins for Joe Louis Arena| url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2016/10/17/final-period-begins-joe-louis-arena/92218854/| newspaper=The Detroit News| date=October 17, 2016| access-date=May 29, 2019}}</ref> In 1977, the Red Wings announced that they would be moving to a proposed arena in suburban [[Pontiac, Michigan|Pontiac]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Red Wings Announce Move to Pontiac, Mich.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/04/02/archives/red-wings-announce-move-to-pontiac-mich.html| newspaper=The New York Times| agency=Associated Press| date=April 2, 1977| access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref> The city of Detroit would counter with a proposed riverfront arena for much less rent that Pontiac was seeking. The package included operational control of both the new arena, nearby [[TCF Center#Cobo Arena|Cobo Arena]] and the adjoining parking structures. The Red Wings accepted Detroit's offer.<ref>{{cite news| first=Jeff| last=Seidel| title=Joe Louis Arena: Saying good-bye to the heart of Hockeytown| url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/jeff-seidel/2017/04/06/farewell-joe-louis-arena/100110556/| newspaper=Detroit Free Press| date=April 6, 2017| access-date=May 29, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| first=Tom| last=Henderson| title=Of Olympia, Joe Louis Arena and a near-miss with history| url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20170910/blog007/638641/of-olympia-joe-louis-arena-and-a-near-miss-with-history| newspaper=Crain's Detroit Business| date=September 10, 2017| access-date=May 29, 2019}}</ref>
+By the late 1970s, the neighborhood surrounding the Olympia had been in decline since the [[1967 Detroit riot|1967 riots]].<ref name=Lee/><ref>{{cite news| first=Greg| last=Krupa| title=The Final Period Begins for Joe Louis Arena| url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2016/10/17/final-period-begins-joe-louis-arena/92218854/| newspaper=The Detroit News| date=October 17, 2016| access-date=May 29, 2019| archive-date=April 19, 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419043239/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2016/10/17/final-period-begins-joe-louis-arena/92218854/| url-status=live}}</ref> In 1977, the Red Wings announced that they would be moving to a proposed arena in suburban [[Pontiac, Michigan|Pontiac]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Red Wings Announce Move to Pontiac, Mich.| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/04/02/archives/red-wings-announce-move-to-pontiac-mich.html| newspaper=[[The New York Times]]| agency=Associated Press| date=April 2, 1977| access-date=May 28, 2019| archive-date=December 22, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222221534/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/04/02/archives/red-wings-announce-move-to-pontiac-mich.html| url-status=live}}</ref> The city of Detroit would counter with a proposed riverfront arena for much less rent that Pontiac was seeking. The package included operational control of both the new arena, nearby [[Huntington Place#Cobo Arena|Cobo Arena]] and the adjoining parking structures. The Red Wings accepted Detroit's offer.<ref>{{cite news| first=Jeff| last=Seidel| title=Joe Louis Arena: Saying good-bye to the heart of Hockeytown| url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/jeff-seidel/2017/04/06/farewell-joe-louis-arena/100110556/| newspaper=Detroit Free Press| date=April 6, 2017| access-date=May 29, 2019| archive-date=February 25, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225231012/https://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/jeff-seidel/2017/04/06/farewell-joe-louis-arena/100110556/| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| first=Tom| last=Henderson| title=Of Olympia, Joe Louis Arena and a near-miss with history| url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20170910/blog007/638641/of-olympia-joe-louis-arena-and-a-near-miss-with-history| newspaper=Crain's Detroit Business| date=September 10, 2017| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910111722/https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20170910/blog007/638641/of-olympia-joe-louis-arena-and-a-near-miss-with-history| archivedate=September 10, 2017| access-date=May 29, 2019}}</ref>
-On December 15, 1979, three days after the first event held at [[Joe Louis Arena]], the Red Wings played their final home game at the Olympia, a 4–4 tie against the [[Quebec Nordiques]]. Attendance at that game was 15,609. They would move to Joe Louis Arena on December 27.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tickets|url=http://redwings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=43888|website=Detroit Red Wings|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227211858/http://redwings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=43888|archive-date=February 27, 2015|access-date=May 29, 2019}}</ref> The final event at the building took place on February 21, 1980.<ref name="Page 121"/> It was demolished in September 1987.<ref name=WXYZ/> Currently, the [[Michigan National Guard]]'s Olympia Armory occupies the site. A historical marker posted inside the armory commemorates the Olympia.<ref name=Lee/><ref>{{cite web| first=Richard| last=Bak| title=Memories were made at The Old Red Barn| url=https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog/2011/12/07/memories-were-made-at-the-old-red-barn/| website=Vintage Detroit | date=December 7, 2011| access-date=February 29, 2020}}</ref>
+On December 15, 1979, three days after the first event held at [[Joe Louis Arena]], the Red Wings played their final home game at the Olympia, a 4–4 tie against the [[Quebec Nordiques]]. Attendance at that game was 15,609. They would move to Joe Louis Arena on December 27.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tickets|url=http://redwings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=43888|website=NHL.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227211858/http://redwings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=43888|archive-date=February 27, 2015|access-date=May 29, 2019}}</ref> The final event at the building took place on February 21, 1980.<ref name="Page 121"/> It was demolished on July 10, 1986.<ref name="Demolition"/><ref name="Olympia gallery"/> Currently, the [[Michigan National Guard]]'s Olympia Armory occupies the site. A historical marker posted inside the armory commemorates the Olympia.<ref name=Lee/><ref>{{cite web| first=Richard| last=Bak| title=Memories were made at The Old Red Barn| url=https://www.vintagedetroit.com/memories-were-made-at-the-old-red-barn/| website=Vintage Detroit| date=December 7, 2011| access-date=February 29, 2020| archive-date=June 25, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625221411/https://www.vintagedetroit.com/memories-were-made-at-the-old-red-barn/| url-status=live}}</ref>
-The original OLYMPIA letters that adorned the sides of the building were placed into storage at Joe Louis Arena, then installed in the Joe's replacement, [[Little Caesars Arena]] in 2017.<ref name=WXYZ/>
+The original OLYMPIA letters that adorned the sides of the building were placed into storage at Joe Louis Arena, then installed in Little Caesars Arena in 2017, which became the new home for the Red Wings.<ref>{{cite news| title=Old Olympia letters go up at Red Wings new home, Little Caesars Arena| url=https://www.wxyz.com/news/old-olympia-letters-go-up-at-little-caesars-arena| work=[[WXYZ-TV|WXYZ News]]| date=August 30, 2017| access-date=May 29, 2019| archive-date=April 18, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418010016/https://www.wxyz.com/news/old-olympia-letters-go-up-at-little-caesars-arena| url-status=live}}</ref>
 ==Architecture==
-The building was {{convert|107|feet|1|abbr=out}} tall and constructed of a steel frame faced with red brick with brown terra cotta and stone trim in a [[Romanesque Revival architecture|Romanesque Revival]] style. The Grand River and McGraw facades originally included 13 storefronts.<ref name="emporis">{{cite web |title=Olympia Stadium| publisher=Emporis.com| access-date=January 21, 2011| url=http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&lng=3&id=olympiastadium-detroit-mi-usa#}}</ref> Near the parapet were terra cotta medallions depicting various athletes. When it opened, Olympia contained the largest indoor skating rink in the United States at 242&nbsp;ft (74 m) by 110&nbsp;ft (34 m).<ref name="loc"/><ref name=Lee/>
+The building was {{convert|107|feet|1|abbr=out}} tall and constructed of a steel frame faced with red brick with brown terra cotta and stone trim in a [[Romanesque Revival architecture|Romanesque Revival]] style. The Grand River and McGraw facades originally included 13 storefronts.<ref name=Avison/><ref>{{cite web|title=Olympia Arena (Olympia Stadium), Detroit Michigan|url=https://www.historic-structures.com/mi/detroit/olympia_arena.php|website=Historic Structures|date=October 17, 2013|access-date=August 5, 2023|archive-date=August 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805073122/https://www.historic-structures.com/mi/detroit/olympia_arena.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Near the parapet were terra cotta medallions depicting various athletes. When it opened, Olympia contained the largest indoor skating rink in the United States at 242&nbsp;ft (74 m) by 110&nbsp;ft (34 m).<ref name="loc"/><ref name=Lee/>
 The Grand River facade featured three-story arched windows with a large recessed arch in the center. The large arch originally was filled with black glass. However, in later years, it was covered with wood, painted with the Red Wings emblem. Topping the facade was a pediment creating a gable-shaped roof.<ref name="loc"/>
-The arena had five levels. The ground level through which patrons entered and featured a concourse that circled the seating area. Above were the mezzanine, main seating level and balcony. A fifth level not open to the public was just under the roof trusses. The trusses spanned {{convert|186|ft|abbr=on}} and were {{convert|90|ft|abbr=on}} above the floor.<ref name="loc"/> The building was constructed by  Detroit based general contractor Walbridge Aldinger. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2016/04/03/detroit-walbridge-chrysler-ford-construction/82421022/|title=Detroit-based Walbridge marks 100 years of building}}</ref>
+The arena had five levels. The ground level through which patrons entered and featured a concourse that circled the seating area. Above were the mezzanine, main seating level and balcony. A fifth level not open to the public was just under the roof trusses. The trusses spanned {{convert|186|ft|abbr=on}} and were {{convert|90|ft|abbr=on}} above the floor.<ref name="loc"/>
 The initial seating capacity was 11,563.<ref name=Lee/><ref name="news">{{cite news| first=Joe| last=Falls| title=Those Magnificent Men in Red| url=http://apps.detnews.com/apps/history/index.php?id=45| newspaper=[[The Detroit News]]| date=September 30, 1995| archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121092116/http://apps.detnews.com/apps/history/index.php?id=45| archive-date=January 21, 2013| access-date=June 3, 2019| url-status=dead}}</ref> On June 23, 1965, work began to add {{convert|81|ft|abbr=on}} to the rear of the structure. The addition was four stories high and included additional seating and an escalator to improve patron access to the upper levels. It expanded seating to 13,375 in 1966 with standing room for 3,300 during hockey games.<ref name="news"/> In addition to the new seats, the original 11,563 seats were replaced at a cost of $23 each and new boards and timeclocks were installed.<ref name="loc"/>
@@ Line 62: / Line 74: @@
  | years = 1957 &ndash; 1961
  | before = [[Allen County War Memorial Coliseum|War Memorial Coliseum]]
- | after = [[Cobo Arena]]
+ | after = [[Huntington Place#Cobo Arena|Cobo Arena]]
 }}
 {{Succession box
@@ Line 106: / Line 118: @@
 [[Category:Defunct boxing venues in the United States]]
 [[Category:Defunct college ice hockey venues in the United States]]
+[[Category:Defunct indoor arenas in the United States]]
+[[Category:Defunct indoor ice hockey venues in the United States]]
 [[Category:Defunct National Hockey League venues]]
 [[Category:Demolished buildings and structures in Detroit]]
 [[Category:Demolished music venues in the United States]]
 [[Category:Demolished sports venues in Michigan]]
-[[Category:Detroit Pistons venues]]
+[[Category:Detroit Pistons]]
-[[Category:Detroit Red Wings arenas]]
+[[Category:Detroit Red Wings]]
-[[Category:Event venues established in 1927]]
+[[Category:Former NBA venues]]
-[[Category:Former National Basketball Association venues]]
+[[Category:Ice hockey venues in Detroit]]
-[[Category:Indoor ice hockey venues in Detroit]]
 [[Category:Olympia Entertainment]]
 [[Category:Sports venues completed in 1927]]
-[[Category:Sports venues demolished in 1987]]
+[[Category:Sports venues demolished in 1986]]
 [[Category:Sports venues in Detroit]]

v t e Detroit Red Wings
Founded in 1926 Based in Detroit, Michigan
Franchise	Team General managers Coaches Players Captains Draft picks Seasons Current season
History	History (Original Six) Records Award winners Retired numbers Broadcasters
Personnel	Owner(s) Ilitch Holdings (Christopher Ilitch, chairman) General manager Steve Yzerman Head coach Todd McLellan Team captain Dylan Larkin Current roster
Arenas	Windsor Arena Olympia Stadium Joe Louis Arena Little Caesars Arena
Rivalries	Chicago Blackhawks Colorado Avalanche Toronto Maple Leafs
Affiliates	AHL Grand Rapids Griffins ECHL Toledo Walleye
Media	TV Bally Sports Detroit Radio WXYT WXYT-FM
Culture and lore	Victoria Cougars Al the Octopus Grind Line Hockeytown Legend of the Octopus Production Line Red Wings–Avalanche brawl Hakan Andersson "Stanley's Cup" (South Park) Russian Five Karen Newman Budd Lynch Al Sobotka London Lions "Don't Stop Believin'" "Without Me" Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F 1938 European tour 1954 prison game 2009 Winter Classic 2014 Winter Classic 2016 Stadium Series Centennial Classic 2025 Stadium Series
Category Commons

v t e Detroit Pistons
Founded in 1937 Formerly the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (1937–1948) and the Fort Wayne Pistons (1948–1957) Based in Detroit, Michigan
Franchise	All-time roster Draft history Head coaches Seasons Current season
Arenas	North Side High School Gym Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Detroit Olympia Memorial Building Cobo Arena Pontiac Silverdome The Palace of Auburn Hills Little Caesars Arena
Personnel	Owner(s) Tom Gores President Ed Stefanski General manager Vacant Head coach Monty Williams
G League affiliate	Motor City Cruise
Retired numbers	1 2 3 4 10 11 15 16 21 32 40
NBA championships	1989 1990 2004
Rivalries	Boston Celtics Chicago Bulls Los Angeles Lakers
Culture and lore	Broadcasters Hooper Jordan Rules 1990 Detroit riot John Mason Malice at the Palace