Coliseum Arena

The Coliseum Arena or Coliseum Auditorium was an arena at 401 North Roman Street in the Tulane/Gravier neighborhood of New Orleans.[1][2] It was located at the corner of N. Roman St. and Conti St.[1]

Coliseum Arena
Coliseum Auditorium, Victory Arena
Address401 N. Roman St.
LocationNew Orleans, Louisiana
Coordinates29.96284°N 90.07738°W / 29.96284; -90.07738
OwnerColiseum Incorporated
OperatorColiseum Incorporated
Capacity8,000
Construction
Broke ground1921
Built1921
OpenedJuly 21, 1922
Closed1960
Construction cost>US$100,000
General contractorAugust Frank

Venue

In early 1921, John Dillon, Frankie Edwards and Al Buja formed a boxing syndicate, Coliseum Incorporated, to develop an arena.[1] On July 21, 1922, the 8,000-seat arena with capacity for 8,500 opened.[3] The arena was modeled after the Milwaukee Auditorium and Madison Square Garden with unobstructed views.[1] The total costs of the four-story steel-trussed white brick-sheathed building exceeded $100,000.[1]

Events

Boxing

The first event at the arena was a boxing match between local fighter Martin Burke and Charlie Weinert.[1] The arena held many boxing matches including fights featuring Jack Dempsey, Gene Tunney, Joe Brown, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Willie Pastrano and Ralph Dupas.[3][4] The final boxing match at the arena was held on December 14, 1959.[5]

Professional wrestling

Professional wrestling matches were held at the arena.[2] Professional wrestler Gorgeous George appeared at the arena almost a dozen times in the early 1950s.[2][3]

Other events

The Coliseum also hosted college and high school sports events, music performances and public lectures.[3] Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at the arena in 1957.[6]

Arena closing

The Coliseum Arena closed in 1960.[3][7]

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References
  1. "The Coliseum". southeasternarchitecture.blogspot.com (Tulane University's Southeastern Architectural Archive). Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  2. Works, Progress Administration. New Orleans City Guide. New Orleans: Garrett County Press. p. XXXIX. ISBN 189105340X. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  3. "What can you tell me about The Coliseum in the Garden District/Irish Channel?". The Advocate/Gambit. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  4. "Joe Brown". 64parishes.org. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  5. "Fights at Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA". fightstat.com. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  6. "Shock Period". southeasternarchitecture.blogspot.com (Tulane University's Southeastern Architectural Archive). Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  7. Widmer, Mary Lou. New Orleans in the Forties. Gretna, Louisiana: Pelican Publishing. p. 171. ISBN 145560951X. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
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