Why Richfield Coliseum Was Torn Down
Fallen & Forgotten
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Michael Jordan scored 69 points at the Richfield Coliseum on March 28, 1990, the highest total of his NBA career. Today the National Park Service calls that ground grassland habitat, and birding is one of the main reasons people go there.
Nick Mileti built the Coliseum on farmland in Richfield Township, halfway between Cleveland and Akron, because nearly five million people lived within an hour's drive in good weather. Frank Sinatra opened it on October 26, 1974. Stevie Wonder played two days later. The Cavaliers played their first game there on October 29 against Boston and lost 107 to 92.
Muhammad Ali fought Chuck Wepner there on March 24, 1975. Elvis Presley played it that July. The NBA All-Star Game came on February 1, 1981. Michael Jordan hit The Shot over Craig Ehlo on May 7, 1989. Larry Bird played his last NBA game there on May 17, 1992.
In April 1976, the Cavaliers beat the Washington Bullets in seven games. Dick Snyder's late shot won Game 7 in front of 21,564 people. Cleveland still calls it the Miracle of Richfield.
The NHL lasted two seasons. The Barons opened at home on October 6, 1976 in front of 8,899, drew 3,812 against Atlanta a week later, and merged with the Minnesota North Stars in June 1978.
The Cavaliers averaged more than 18,000 fans a game in their last two seasons at Richfield. It didn't matter. The suites sat at the top of the building, the worst seats in the house, and the new downtown arena would put them next to the floor. Cuyahoga County voters approved the sin tax in May 1990. Roger Daltrey played the last concert in September 1994.
By 1998, 60 buyers had approached George and Gordon Gund about the 327 acre property. A National Park Service study found that a shopping center there would put 15,000 cars a day on the park's two lane roads. The Gunds sold to the Trust for Public Land instead, for less than developers offered. Independence Excavating pulled the roof down in 1999.
The floor got out. In 1997, Grace Christian School in Staunton, Virginia needed a gym floor and had a quote of 26,000 dollars for raw maple. The Cavaliers sold them the Richfield court and the baskets for the same price. Fifteen volunteers and two donated trucks moved it south.
The floor is in Virginia. Where it used to sit, 60 acres of grass bring back the meadowlarks.
#Cleveland #Cavaliers #RichfieldColiseum
Why Richfield Coliseum Was Torn Down
Fallen & Forgotten
179 views
Michael Jordan scored 69 points at the Richfield Coliseum on March 28, 1990, the highest total of his NBA career. Today the National Park Service calls that ground grassland habitat, and birding is one of the main reasons people go there.
Nick Mileti built the Coliseum on farmland in Richfield Township, halfway between Cleveland and Akron, because nearly five million people lived within an hour's drive in good weather. Frank Sinatra opened it on October 26, 1974. Stevie Wonder played two days later. The Cavaliers played their first game there on October 29 against Boston and lost 107 to 92.
Muhammad Ali fought Chuck Wepner there on March 24, 1975. Elvis Presley played it that July. The NBA All-Star Game came on February 1, 1981. Michael Jordan hit The Shot over Craig Ehlo on May 7, 1989. Larry Bird played his last NBA game there on May 17, 1992.
In April 1976, the Cavaliers beat the Washington Bullets in seven games. Dick Snyder's late shot won Game 7 in front of 21,564 people. Cleveland still calls it the Miracle of Richfield.
The NHL lasted two seasons. The Barons opened at home on October 6, 1976 in front of 8,899, drew 3,812 against Atlanta a week later, and merged with the Minnesota North Stars in June 1978.
The Cavaliers averaged more than 18,000 fans a game in their last two seasons at Richfield. It didn't matter. The suites sat at the top of the building, the worst seats in the house, and the new downtown arena would put them next to the floor. Cuyahoga County voters approved the sin tax in May 1990. Roger Daltrey played the last concert in September 1994.
By 1998, 60 buyers had approached George and Gordon Gund about the 327 acre property. A National Park Service study found that a shopping center there would put 15,000 cars a day on the park's two lane roads. The Gunds sold to the Trust for Public Land instead, for less than developers offered. Independence Excavating pulled the roof down in 1999.
The floor got out. In 1997, Grace Christian School in Staunton, Virginia needed a gym floor and had a quote of 26,000 dollars for raw maple. The Cavaliers sold them the Richfield court and the baskets for the same price. Fifteen volunteers and two donated trucks moved it south.
The floor is in Virginia. Where it used to sit, 60 acres of grass bring back the meadowlarks.
#Cleveland #Cavaliers #RichfieldColiseum