Dorton Arena

J. S. Dorton Arena is a 7,610-seat multi-purpose arena located in Raleigh, North Carolina, on the grounds of the North Carolina State Fair. It opened in 1952.

Dorton Arena
Paraboleum
Former namesState Fair Arena (1952–1961)
LocationNorth Carolina State Fairgrounds
1025 Blue Ridge Road
Raleigh, North Carolina
OwnerState of North Carolina
OperatorState of North Carolina
Capacity5,110 – Arena Football and Hockey
7,610 – Basketball
SurfaceIce, Concrete, Hardwood
Construction
Opened1952
ArchitectMaciej Nowicki, William Henley Dietrick
Tenants
Carolina Cougars (ABA) (1969–1974)
Raleigh Bullfrogs (GBA) (1991–1992)
Raleigh IceCaps (ECHL) (1991–1998)
Raleigh Cougars (USBL) (1997–1999)
Raleigh Rebels (AIFL) (2005–2006)
Carolina Rollergirls (WFTDA) (2006–present)
Triangle Torch (AIF/SIF) (2016–2017)
J. S. Dorton Arena
LocationNorth Carolina State Fairgrounds, W. Hillsborough St., Raleigh, North Carolina
Coordinates35°47′37″N 78°42′36″W
Built1953
ArchitectNowicki, Matthew, et al.; Muirhead, William, Construction
NRHP reference No.73001375 [1]
Added to NRHPApril 11, 1973

Architect Maciej Nowicki was killed in an airplane crash before the construction phase, and local architect William Henley Dietrick supervised the completion of the arena using Nowicki's innovative design. Its design features a steel cable supported saddle-shaped roof in tension, held up by parabolic concrete arches in compression. The arches cross about 20 feet above ground level and continue underground, where the ends of the arches are held together by more steel cables in tension. The outer walls of the arena support next to no weight at all. Incorporating an unusual elliptical design by Matthew Nowicki, of the North Carolina State University Department of Architecture, the arena was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on April 11, 1973.[1] Originally named the "State Fair Arena", it was dedicated to Dr. J. S. Dorton, former North Carolina State Fair manager, in 1961.[2]

In the past, it has hosted many sporting events, concerts, political rallies and circuses.

Historic significance

The Dorton Arena was the first structure in the world to use a cable-supported roof. The structure is based on two parabolic concrete arches which lean over to the point that they are closer to being parallel to the ground than they are to being vertical. The arches lean toward and beyond each other such that they cross each other 26 feet above ground. These arches, approaching horizontal in plane, thus serve as the outer edges of the structure, which when viewed from above appears almost elliptical. The arches are supported by slender columns around the building perimeter. Cables are strung between the two opposing arch structures providing support for the saddle-shaped roof. This was the first permanent cable-supported roof in the world. Constructed in 1952, the arena was the predecessor of more famous domed stadiums to follow such as the Houston Astrodome in 1965 and the Louisiana Superdome in 1975.[3][4]

Sports

The longest-running tenant was the Raleigh IceCaps (ECHL) ice hockey team from 1991–1998. The American Basketball Association's Carolina Cougars also played some games in the arena from 1969–74. It was also the home of the Carolina Rollergirls (WFTDA).

Triangle Torch (black jerseys with and red and yellow accents) vs. Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (gold jerseys with black accents) during a game at Dorton Arena, March 25, 2016

The Cougars became tenants after the Houston Mavericks moved to North Carolina in 1969. The Cougars were a "regional franchise", playing "home" games in Charlotte (Bojangles' Coliseum), Greensboro (Greensboro Coliseum), Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum and Raleigh (Dorton Arena). Hall of Fame Coach Larry Brown began his coaching career with the Cougars in 1972. Billy Cunningham was the ABA MVP for the Brown and theCougars in the 1972–73 season. Despite a strong fan base the Cougars were sold and moved to St. Louis in 1974.[5]

Dorton Arena was a popular venue for professional wrestling in the 70s and 80s, with sometimes weekly matches. Wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper defeated “Nature Boy” Ric Flair for the National Wrestling Alliance U.S. Heavyweight championship in Dorton Arena on Jan. 27, 1981.

Beginning in 2016, it became the home of the Triangle Torch in American Indoor Football.[6] The Torch have since played as members of Supreme Indoor Football but left Dorton Arena prior to the 2018 season in the American Arena League.

Other events

Besides hosting sporting events, the arena is also used for concerts during the North Carolina State Fair. Various conventions and fairs also use floorspace of the arena as an exhibition space, often in conjunction with the neighboring Jim Graham building.

The arena has hosted the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) regional robotics competition and was the first space to hold a regional in the state.

Both Shaw University and Meredith College use Dorton Arena as a site for graduation, and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics use the facility as a rain site for their commencement exercises.

Concerts in Dorton (non-fair)

Dorton Arena and Reynolds Coliseum were the only concert venues in the Capital City for many decades before Walnut Creek Amphitheater and PNC Arena were built. The building was originally designed for livestock shows, not for concerts, so while there are unobstructed views of the stage, the sound tends to bounce off the glass. Fair officials have made significant changes to improve the acoustics of the building in recent years. Many of the biggest names in entertainment have played in this arena.

Artist Date Citation
Ray Charles and his Augmented Orchestra Oct. 8, 1962
Johnny Cash September 8, 1963 Billboard Aug. 31, 1963
The Original Hootenanny starring the Journeyman, The Halifax 111, Geeezinslaw Brothers, Jo Mapes, Glenn Yarbrough Nov. 1, 1963 Daily Tar Heel Oct. 27, 1963
Caravan of Record Stars, including the Shirelles, the Supremes and the Coasters July 22, 1964
The Four Seasons May 4, 1964
Beach Boys July 12, 1965 http://vintageconcertposters.com/_main/Index.cfm?page=api/gallery/photo.cfm&id=40&gid=13&poster=Beach%20Boys%20Dorton%20Arena%201965
Warner Mack, the Wilburn Brothers, harold Morrison, Nov. 26, 1965
The Supremes Feb. 6, 1966 Daily Tar Heel
The Righteous Brothers Oct. 28, 1966 Daily Tar Heel
Wilson Pickett Sho, Jr. Walker and the All Stars, Sam & Dave, Billy Stewart, James Carr, TV Mama, King Coleman and Al "TNT" Braggs and his great show orchestra Nov. 14, 1966 Daily Tar Heel
Otis Reading, the Marvelettes, James & Bobby Purify, The Drifters Jan. 30, 1967 Daily Tar Heel
The Supremes Feb. 5, 1967 Daily Tar Heel (Jan. 12, 1967)
Lou Rawls Feb. 18, 1967 Daily Tar Heel (Jan. 12, 1967)
The Temptations March 12, 1967 Daily Tar Heel Mar 10, 1967
Beach Boys w/ Davy Jones April 23, 1968 (rescheduled from April 6, which was cancelled due to MLK's assassination)
The Four Seasons May 4, 1968 Billboard, April 27, 1968
Jimi Hendrix Experience April 11, 1969 http://www.jimihendrix.com/us/encyclopedia#cat=434&tag=761,911&per_page=5&month=1969-4
Led Zeppelin April 8, 1970 http://www.ledzeppelin.com/show/april-8-1970
Country Shindig - Jerry Lee Lewis with Linda Gail Lewis Aug. 29, 1970 http://www.lookatstubs.com/cgi-bin/tickets_searchdb.pl?venue&J.S.%20Dorton%20Arena
The Grand Funk Railroad April 23, 1971
Jackson 5 Aug. 1, 1971
Country Shinding - Jerry Lee Lewis, Dolly Parton & Porter Wagoner May 28, 1971 http://www.lookatstubs.com/cgi-bin/tickets_searchdb.pl?venue&J.S.%20Dorton%20Arena
James Taylor / Carole King, Jo Mama March 4, 1971 http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/67889414/
Black Sabbath March 6, 1972
King Crimson March 29, 1972
Jethro Tull w/ Captain Beefheart April 20, 1972 Billboard April 22, 1972
The Guess Who Live at the Paramount Aug. 10, 1972 Billboard, Aug. 12, 1972
Blood Sweat and Tears w/ NC Symphony Jan. 12, 1973
The Sylvers Nov. 16, 1973 Billboard Magazine Oct. 27, 1973
Blood Sweat and Tears w/ NC Symphony Jan. 12, 1974 Daily Tar Heel Jan. 9, 1974
Kris Kristofferson and Waylon Jennings February 15, 1974
Tom Rundgren's Utopia March 8, 1974
KISS Rock & Roll Over tour Nov. 27, 1976 http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/kiss/1976/dorton-arena-raleigh-nc-53d0b795.html
The Outlaws, Rick Derringer, Foghat Jan. 22, 1977 The Technician, Jan. 24, 1977
Rick James Fire it Up tour w/ Prince March 15, 1980
Kool and the Gang, the Gap Band, Skyy and Yarbrough and Peoples March 27, 1981 https://d.lib.ncsu.edu/collections/catalog/technician-v61n73-1981-03-27/pages/technician-v61n73-1981-03-27_0004#p
PKM March 1, 1982
Loverboy September 1982 The Technician Sept. 10, 1982
Prince (Controversy Tour) March 12, 1982
Maxwell House Give 'em A Hand Concert - Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, Jerry Reed, Lee Greenwood, Cabin Fever - July 2, 1983
Heart Aug. 31, 1985 http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/heart/concerts/dorton-arena-august-31-1985.html
RATT / Bon Jovi 7800 Fahrenheit Tour November 1, 1985
George Thorogood Nov. 30, 1986 Daily Tar Heel Dec. 1, 1986
Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble February 11, 1987
Petra Nov. 2, 1990 http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/petra/1990/dorton-arena-raleigh-nc-13d0ed91.html
Climax Blues Band Nov. 27, 1976 Billboard Nov. 27, 1976
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See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. Survey and Planning Unit Staff (August 1972). "J.S. Dorton Arena" (pdf). National Register of Historic Places - Nomination and Inventory. North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  3. "Extended history of the J.S. Dorton Arena". North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  4. "Dorton Arena". American Society of Civil Engineers. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-11-27. Retrieved 2014-05-19.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "AIF in Raleigh NC begins today as new team has been awarded to Raleigh, NC". Triangle Torch. August 12, 2015. Archived from the original on August 22, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
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