Cincinnati Gardens was an indoor arena located in Cincinnati, Ohio, that opened in 1949. The 25,000 square foot (2,300 m2) brick and limestone building at 2250 Seymour Avenue in Bond Hill had an entrance that was decorated with six three-dimensional carved athletic figures. When it opened, its seating capacity of 11,000+ made it the seventh largest indoor arena in the United States.
In 2013, the Robinson family, which had owned the Gardens since 1979, put the arena up for sale. The family-controlled company, Kenko Corporation, no longer considered the arena a core asset.[2] On June 16, 2016, the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority approved a contract to acquire the property for $1.75 million from the Robinson family, which intended to repurpose the 19-acre (7.7 ha) site for future light manufacturing.[3] Demolition took place in March 2018.[4]
Sporting events
The interior of the Cincinnati Gardens
Cincinnati Gardens was known primarily as a venue for ice hockey, basketball, and boxing.
Cincinnati Gardens was also home to the Cincinnati Mohawks of the Midwest Amateur Hockey League in 1966, 1968, and 1969. Most of the Mohawks games were held in the annex, but some were played in the main building.[citation needed] The Xavier University Ice Hockey Program began using the Cincinnati Gardens as its home facility for the 2007–2008 season.[citation needed]
Though having no pro-hockey team for its last 11 years of operation, the Gardens still acted as the home rink for several area high school teams.[citation needed]
College basketball, including 42 "Crosstown Shootout" games between the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University, were played at the Gardens since its first week in 1949. The arena has served as the home court for both schools at various times, lastly for Xavier from 1983 until their move to the on-campus Cintas Center in 2000.[citation needed]
High school basketball also used the Gardens, both for regular season games—such as contests matching Middletown & HamiltonHighs—as well as post-season tournaments including the state tourney in 1953 and 1955.[citation needed]
Boxing
The Gardens hosted a number of boxing matches, particularly several featuring prominent local and international fighters. Eventual Heavyweight champion and Hall of FamerEzzard Charles of Cincinnati defeated Joey Maxim in a heavyweight title contender fight on February 28, 1949, in the arena's first week. Cincinnatian Wallace "Bud" Smith defended his World Lightweight crown there on October 19, 1955. Numerous Golden Gloves competitions have drawn as many as 10,000+ fans, and a "Super Brawl Sunday" event was held in 2002.
On August 30, 2008, Relentless Events packed over 6000 fans into the arena for former heavyweight champion Lamon Brewster's comeback fight against Danny Batchelder. Brewster won by fifth-round knockout. Local favorites Rashad Holloway and Aaron Pryor Jr. also won on the undercard.
The Crickets, featuring Buddy Holly, performed three times at the arena. First on September 11, 1957, as part of the "Biggest Show of Stars of 1957" tour. Also headlining were, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, and Lavern Baker. The Crickets played The Gardens on January 23, 1958, as part of "America's Greatest Teenage Recording Stars Tour". Finally, The Crickets headlined Alan Freed's "Big Beat" show on April 14, 1958, which also included sets from Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Frankie Lymon, The Chantels, as well as others.
On August 27, 1964, The Beatles performed at the arena.[6]
On November 27, 1965, the Rolling Stones performed at the arena.
On May 17, 1985, Madonna performed at the arena with The Virgin Tour. Her only time to ever perform in Cincinnati. Her opening act was The Beastie Boys.
Bon Jovi performed in the arena March 18–19, 1987. Several shots of inside and outside of the Gardens can be seen in their "Wanted Dead or Alive" video.
On November 30, 1991, Neil Young and Crazy Horse performed the "Smell the Horse" Tour. The live album WELD was recorded on this tour.
The warm-up band for the evening was Sonic Youth.
Other events
From July 5 to 13, 2008, Morari Bapu held a 9-day Hindu religious event called a 'Ram Katha' at Cincinnati Gardens. This event attracted thousands of people who gathered from all over the world at Cincinnati Gardens. The Ram Katha is the largest event the Cincinnati Hindu community has hosted.[8]
