Philadelphia Arena

Arena in Pennsylvania, United States

For the current arena in Philadelphia, see Wells Fargo Center.

Philadelphia Arena

Location| 4530 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates| 39°57′29″N 75°12′42″W﻿ / ﻿39.957959°N 75.211726°W﻿ / 39.957959; -75.211726
Capacity| 5,526
6,500 (76ers 1966)
Construction
Opened| February 14, 1920
Closed| August 24, 1983 (fire)
Demolished| August 24, 1983
Tenants

* Penn Quakers (1921–68)
* Philadelphia Arrows (C-AHL) (1927–35)
* Philadelphia Quakers (NHL) (1930–31)
* Philadelphia Comets (T-SHL) (1932–33)
* Philadelphia Ramblers (C-AHL/I-AHL/AHL) (1935–41)
* Philadelphia Falcons (EAHL) (1942–46; 1951)
* Philadelphia Rockets (AHL) (1946–49)
* Philadelphia Ramblers (EHL) (1955–64)
* Philadelphia Warriors (BAA/NBA) (1946–62, part-time 1952–1962)
* Philadelphia 76ers (NBA) (1963–67, part-time)
* Philadelphia Kings (CBA) (1980–81)

The Philadelphia Arena was an auditorium used mainly for sporting events located at 46th and Market Streets in West Philadelphia.

The address of the building, originally named the Philadelphia Ice Palace and Auditorium, was 4530 Market Street. The building stood next to what would become the WFIL TV studio that broadcast American Bandstand. It was built by George F. Pawling, of George F. Pawling & Co., Engineers and Contractors, and opened on Saturday, February 14, 1920, with a college hockey game between Yale and Princeton Tigers; the Bulldogs won, 4–0, before a crowd of over 4,000[1] despite the fact that the arena had only one small entrance at the time.

One of the first teams to make the Arena home was the Yale University men's ice hockey team. Yale did not have a suitable on-campus venue in 1920 and played home games in Philadelphia.[2] During the 1920–1921 season, Yale, Princeton, and Penn made the Arena their home ice.[3]

## The Tyrrell era

[edit]

Jules Mastbaum, owner of a movie theater chain (The Stanley Company of America), acquired the building in 1925 and renamed it the Arena. In 1927 the Arena was purchased by Rudy Fried and Maurice Fishman who operated the facility until 1934, when their partnership was placed in receivership. In 1929, Peter A. Tyrrell (1896–1973) joined the Arena as boxing matchmaker and subsequently became the facility's publicist. In 1934 Tyrrell was named a friendly receiver-in-equity by George Welsh, a federal judge. Tyrrell became general manager of the Arena and served in that capacity until 1958, returning the corporation to profitability and enriching the variety of public entertainment.[4]

## Historic events and professional sports

[edit]

Display ads for pro hockey at the Arena (1932–41)

The arena was the site of several historic sporting events, including the professional debut of Sonja Henie, fresh from her triumph in the 1936 Winter Olympics. Roy Rogers, cowboy movie star, performed in his first rodeo at the Philadelphia arena in 1943. The Roy Rogers Rodeo played the Arena every season for more than 20 years, and in 1946, when a young cowgirl died after riding a bucking bronco, her funeral was held there. Rogers and the Sons of Pioneers sang "Roundup in the Sky", and after the closing prayer, everybody rode out to the cemetery. It was also the home of the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association Banquet. Professionally, the arena was the home of the Philadelphia Quakers of the NHL in their only season, 1930–1931, as well as home ice for several minor league hockey teams such as the Philadelphia Arrows, Philadelphia Ramblers, the Philadelphia Comets, the Philadelphia Falcons/Philadelphia Rockets and the Philadelphia Ramblers (EHL), as well as the Philadelphia Warriors and part-time home of the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA when the Philadelphia Convention Center was unavailable.

The arena was also a major venue for boxing and wrestling before the opening of the Spectrum. Throughout the history of the Arena, such legends as Sugar Ray Robinson, Lew Tendler, Gene Tunney, Joe Frazier, Jack Delaney, and Primo Carnera fought there. Several championship wrestling matches occurred there, both for the NWA and the WWWF (including Stan Stasiak winning the WWWF championship belt in 1973, the only time until 1977 the belt ever changed hands outside of Madison Square Garden). Roller Derby also was held there, through the team named the Philadelphia Warriors, not connected with the basketball team, owned by Bill Griffiths, the owner of the Los Angeles Thunderbirds and Roller Games.

"Didja Get Any Onya?" on the album Weasels Ripped My Flesh by Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention was recorded at this venue on March 2, 1969.

## Political and other events

[edit]

The Arena was not used as much for political and other events, as those events tended to be held at Convention Hall. However, many of the city's mayoral inauguration parties were held there. Evangelist Billy Sunday spoke there, and before the United States entered World War II, Charles A. Lindbergh gave a speech before an America First Committee Meeting.

## Triangle publications

[edit]

In 1947 the Arena was sold to Triangle Publications, along with the NBA franchise and the Philadelphia Warriors Basketball team. This transaction made TV station WFIL-TV (Channel 6), owned by Triangle Publications, the first joint ownership of a major professional sports team and TV station. In 1958, a group headed by Tyrrell purchased the Arena from the Walter Annenberg Foundation, to which ownership had been transferred by Triangle Publications. At the time of Tyrrell's retirement in 1965, the Arena building was sold at auction to James Toppi Enterprises, a sports promotion concern.

## Final years

[edit]

The building fell out of popular use in the 1970s, due to the building of the Spectrum in 1967. From 1967 to 1974, the arena was home to the Eastern Warriors, a Roller Derby team, skating every Friday and Sunday, usually to capacity. In 1977, the deteriorating building was auctioned off. It was renovated and renamed in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

In 1980, the Continental Basketball Association's Lancaster Red Roses relocated to the newly named Martin Luther King Jr. Arena and became the Philadelphia Kings. The Kings were coached by longtime 76er and Basketball Hall of Famer Hal Greer and led on the court by former NBA superstar Cazzie Russell. The franchise lasted just one season at the legendary arena before returning to Lancaster.

The arena was finally destroyed by arson on August 24, 1983.[5] As of 2007, the former site of the arena now contains a housing complex, adjacent to the former TV studio which has become the Ron Brown Commerce Center.

## See also

[edit]

* Philadelphia portal

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ "YALE BEATS TIGERS AT HOCKEY, 4 TO 0; Blanks Princeton in Philadelphia Game--Ingalls and Maxwell in Star Roles" (PDF). The New York Times. February 15, 1920. p. 19. Retrieved December 29, 2009.
2. ^ "DEVELOPING YALE'S ATHLETIC POLICY; Problems of Completing the Bowl and Housing the Hockey Team Engage Officials" (PDF). The New York Times. March 7, 1920. p. 20. Retrieved December 29, 2009.
3. ^ "COLLEGE HOCKEY PLANS DISCUSSED; Delegates to Meeting Here Arrange Tentative Schedules Favor Six-Man Teams" (PDF). The New York Times. November 20, 1920. p. 21. Retrieved December 29, 2009.
4. ^ National Cyclopedia of American Biography vol 57 pp 297-298. "Peter A. Tyrrell". footnote.com. Retrieved March 24, 2009.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
5. ^ "Four fires 'suspicious'". Reading Eagle. August 25, 1983. p. 35. Retrieved December 29, 2009.

Preceded by

first arena

|  Home of the
Philadelphia Warriors
1946–1962  | Succeeded by

Cow Palace
as San Francisco Warriors

|
|

Preceded by

Onondaga War Memorial
as Syracuse Nationals

|  Home of the
Philadelphia 76ers
1963–1966  | Succeeded by

Philadelphia Civic Center

Preceded by

Duquesne Gardens

|  Home of the
Philadelphia Quakers
1930–1931  | Succeeded by

last arena

* v
* t
* e

Golden State Warriors

* Founded in 1946
* Played in Philadelphia (1946–1962) and Oakland (1971–2019)
* Based in San Francisco, California

Franchise|

* History
* All-time roster
* Draft history
* Head coaches
* Seasons
* Current season

Arenas|

* Philadelphia Arena
* Philadelphia Convention Hall
* Cow Palace
* San Francisco Civic Auditorium
* USF War Memorial Gymnasium
* San Diego Sports Arena
* San Jose Arena
* Oracle Arena
* Chase Center

Personnel|

Owner(s)
Joe Lacob (majority)
Peter Guber
President
Brandon Schneider
General manager
Mike Dunleavy Jr.
Head coach
Steve Kerr

G League affiliate|

* Santa Cruz Warriors

Retired numbers|

* 9
* 13
* 14
* 16
* 17
* 24
* 42

NBA championships|

* 1947
* 1956
* 1975
* 2015
* 2017
* 2018
* 2022

Rivalries|

* Cleveland Cavaliers
* Los Angeles Lakers
* Sacramento Kings

Culture and lore|

* 73–9
* Dance Cam Mom
* Death Lineup
* "Good Feeling"
* Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
* Inside Moves
* Nate the Great
* Nellie Ball
* Run TMC
* Splash Brothers
* The Sleepy Floyd game
* The Block
* Warrior Girls
* Wilt the Stilt
* 100-point game

* v
* t
* e

Philadelphia 76ers

* Founded in 1946
* Formerly the Syracuse Nationals (1946–1963)
* Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Franchise|

* History
* All-time roster
* Draft history
* Head coaches
* Seasons
* Current season

Arenas|

* West Jefferson Street Armory
* State Fair Coliseum
* Onondaga County War Memorial
* Convention Hall
* Philadelphia Arena
* Spectrum
* Wells Fargo Center
* New South Philadelphia Arena (planned)

Personnel|

Owner(s)
Josh Harris and David Blitzer (Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment)
President
Daryl Morey
General manager
Elton Brand
Head coach
Nick Nurse

G League affiliate|

* Delaware Blue Coats

Retired numbers|

* 2
* 3
* 4
* 6
* 10
* 13
* 15
* 24
* 32
* 34
* MIC

NBA championships|

* 1955
* 1967
* 1983

Rivalries|

* Boston Celtics

Culture and lore|

* Allen Iverson
* "Fo', fo', fo'"
* Wilt the Stilt
* Dr. J
* The Boston Strangler
* Dave Zinkoff
* "Havlicek stole the ball"
* Curse of Billy Penn
* Hip Hop
* Rights to Ricky Sanchez
* Pat Croce
* Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
* Sir Charles
* The Kangaroo Kid
* Harvey Pollack
* Bill Campbell
* Marc Zumoff
* Kate Scott
* Nine and 73-ers
* Comcast Spectacor
* Sixers Post Game Live
* Alan Horwitz
* South Philadelphia Sports Complex
* Hustle
* 76 Place at Market East

* Category
* Commons

* v
* t
* e

Penn Quakers men's ice hockey

Playing venues|

* West Park Ice Palace (1897–1899, 1900–1901)
* Philadelphia Arena (1920–1968)
* Class of 1923 Arena (1972–present)

Head coaches|

* George Orton (1919–1922)
* Frank Winters (1922)
* Eddie Powers (1922–1924)
* Normand Shay (1928–1929)
* Percy Fynan (1929)
* Herb Gardiner (1929)
* William Farson (1929–1930)
* Nick Rukavina (1956–1958)
* Jack Cleveland (1958–1962)
* Ron Ryan (1962–1964)
* Jim Salfi (1964–1972)
* Bob Crocker (1972–1976)
* Bob Finke (1976–1978)

Seasons|

* 1896–97
* 1897–98
* 1898–99
* 1900–01
* 1908–09
* 1909–10
* 1910–11
* 1919–20
* 1920–21
* 1921–22
* 1922–23
* 1923–24
* 1928–29
* 1929–30
* 1965–66
* 1966–67
* 1967–68
* 1968–69
* 1969–70
* 1970–71
* 1971–72
* 1972–73
* 1973–74
* 1974–75
* 1975–76
* 1976–77
* 1977–78

Conference affiliations|

* Intercollegiate Hockey Association (1898–1899, 1900–1901)
* ECAC Hockey (1967–1978)
* DVCHC (1978–2000)
* MACHA (2000–2010)
* GNCHC (2010–2014)
* CSCHC (2014–present)

* University of Pennsylvania
* Philadelphia, PA

* v
* t
* e

Former arenas in the National Basketball Association

* 69th Regiment Armory
* Alamodome
* Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
* Amalie Arena
* Amway Arena
* Anderson High School Wigwam
* ARCO Arena (1985)
* ARCO Arena (1988)
* Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
* Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
* Blue Cross Arena
* Boston Garden
* Bradley Center
* Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
* Caesars Superdome
* Calihan Hall
* Capital Centre
* Charlotte Coliseum
* Chicago Coliseum
* Chicago Stadium
* Cincinnati Gardens
* Climate Pledge Arena
* Cole Field House
* Richfield Coliseum
* Cow Palace
* Denver Auditorium Arena
* Detroit Olympia
* Edgerton Park Arena
* Fertitta Center
* Georgia Dome
* HemisFair Arena
* Honda Center
* Hy-Vee Arena
* International Amphitheatre
* Joe Louis Arena
* Kia Forum
* Kiel Auditorium
* Kingdome
* Lakewood Church Central Campus
* Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
* Loyola Field House
* Madison Square Garden (1925)
* The Hippodrome
* Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
* Maple Leaf Gardens
* Market Square Arena
* Matthews Arena
* McCamish Pavilion
* McElroy Auditorium
* McNichols Sports Arena
* Meadowlands Arena
* Memphis Pyramid
* Miami Arena
* Minneapolis Armory
* Minneapolis Auditorium
* Moody Coliseum
* Municipal Auditorium (Kansas City, Missouri)
* Municipal Auditorium (New Orleans)
* Nassau Coliseum
* North Side High School Gym
* Oakland Arena
* Omaha Civic Auditorium
* Omni Coliseum
* Oncenter War Memorial Arena
* The Palace of Auburn Hills
* Pechanga Arena
* PeoplesBank Arena
* Philadelphia Arena
* Philadelphia Convention Hall and Civic Center
* Pontiac Silverdome
* Prudential Center
* Reunion Arena
* Rogers Arena
* Rogers Centre
* Rutgers Athletic Center
* St. Louis Arena
* Salt Palace (arena)
* SAP Center
* Sheboygan Municipal Auditorium and Armory
* The Sobrato Center
* Spectrum (arena)
* Tacoma Dome
* TCF Center
* Toyota Coliseum
* Uline Arena
* UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena
* Veterans Memorial Coliseum (Portland, Oregon)
* Wharton Field House

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