Dee Stadium: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Dee Stadium.jpg|thumb|Dee Stadium in January 2012.]] |
[[File:Dee Stadium.jpg|thumb|Dee Stadium in January 2012.]] |
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'''Dee Stadium''', also called '''The Dee''', is an [[ice hockey]] arena in [[Houghton, Michigan]], that replaces, and is located on the same site as, the '''Amphidrome'''. It is regarded as the birthplace of [[professional hockey]], and is the seventh oldest indoor ice rink in the world.<ref name=rinks/> |
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'''Dee Stadium''' is an arena for the playing of [[ice hockey]], located in [[Houghton, Michigan]]; it replaces, and is on the same site as, the '''Amphidrome'''. Construction on the Amphidrome finished in December 1902, with the first game played on December 29, 1902.<ref>The text, located on the entrance to the Dee, reads, "The construction of the Amphidrome was completed in in December of 1902. The first game was played December 29th, 1902 with over 5000 people in attendance."</ref> It burned down in 1927, and the replacement stadium was named the '''New Amphidrome'''.<ref name=cchockey>{{cite web|last=Julien|first=Connie|title=Copper Country Hockey History|url=http://www.cchockeyhistory.org/|accessdate=27 December 2011}}</ref> It was renamed the James R. "Dee" Ice Stadium in 1943 — for the local businessman who financed reconstruction after the 1927 fire — when [[Michigan Technological University|Michigan Tech]] began using it for the [[Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey|hockey team]].<ref name=cchockey/> The Michigan Tech Huskies hockey team used the Dee Stadium until they moved to the John Macinnes Student Ice Arena, which later became part of the Student Development Complex. (However, it continues to be a venue in Michigan Tech's Winter Carnival and the annual Parade of Nations festival.) It is the current home of the [[Houghton High School]] [[Gremlin]]s hockey team as well as the very first professional hockey team the Portage Lake Pioneers who play for the Gibson cup every year, a cup that is as old as the Stanley cup itself. |
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==Amphidrome== |
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Although it is the Amphidrome and not Dee stadium that holds the historic marker for the birth place of professional hockey in the [[United States]] in 1904, Dee stadium still includes a museum on the [[history of ice hockey]] in Houghton and the surrounding area starting from the very beginning in place of the lost Amphidrome. |
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{{Infobox historic site |
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| name = Amphidrome |
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| image = Amphidrome Construction.jpg |
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| location = |
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| latitude = |
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| longitude = |
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| coord_display = |
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| built = 1902 |
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| architect = |
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| designation1 = Michigan State Historic Site |
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| designation1_date = ~2006<ref name=mich/> |
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}} |
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The Houghton Warehouse Company, operated by James R. Dee, built and owned the Amphidrome.<ref name=marker>{{cite web|title=The Amphidrome|url=http://www.cchockeyhistory.org/HouPics/Amphidrome_sign.jpg|publisher=Copper Country Hockey History|accessdate=6 January 2012|author=State of Michigan}}</ref> Construction of the Amphidrome finished in December 1902.<ref name=quote/> |
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The first hockey game was played on December 29, 1902, in which the [[Portage Lakes Hockey Club]] defeated the University of Toronto, 13-2.<ref name=marker/> The game was attended by over 5000 spectators.<ref name=quote>The text, located on the entrance to the Dee (as of 2012), reads, "The construction of the Amphidrome was completed in in December of 1902. The first game was played December 29th, 1902 with over 5000 people in attendance."</ref> For the 1903-04 season, the Portage Lakes became the first hockey team whose players were all payed.<ref name=mich/> James Dee and John "Doc" Gibson formed the [[International Professional Hockey League|International Hockey League]] later that year, in which the Portage Lakes competed.<ref name=mich/> These events marked the beginning of professional hockey.<ref name=mich>{{cite web|title=Birth Of Professional Hockey / The Amphidrome|url=http://www.michmarkers.com/detail.asp?txtID=S0690|publisher=MichMarkers.com|accessdate=6 January 2012|author=State of Michigan}}</ref> |
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Upstairs at the Dee Stadium is the Level II skatepark. The park was originally build in 2000 and rebuilt in 2005. Besides having various ramps for skateboarding and biking they also have a stage and host concerts. |
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In 1907, an addition was constructed on the western end of the Amphidrome.<ref name=rinks>{{cite web|last=Julien|first=Connie|title=Local Ice Rinks in the Copper Country in Michigan's Western Upper Peninsula|url=http://www.cchockeyhistory.org/CCIceRinks.htm|publisher=Copper Country Hockey History|accessdate=6 January 2012}}</ref> Styled like a castle, it was used as a community ballroom and armory.<ref name=rinks/> |
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===Fire=== |
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The Amphidrome burned down on January 9, 1927.<ref name=rinks/> The fire was discovered at 3:45 a.m. in the upper floors of the 1907 addition.<ref name=rinks/> The fire destroyed a nearby warehouse and the equipment of the Portage Lakes, the [[Michigan College of Mines]] hockey team, and the Houghton and Hancock high school sextets.<ref name=rinks/> The fire cancelled the regional high school hockey season and forced other area teams to use the [[Calumet Colosseum]] in [[Calumet, Michigan]].<ref name=rinks/> |
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After the loss of the Amphidrome, the debris was cleared and a temporary outdoor rink was formed.<ref name=rinks/> Before the next season, in 1928, a replacement stadium was constructed called the '''New Amphidrome'''.<ref name=cchockey>{{cite web|last=Julien|first=Connie|title=Copper Country Hockey History|publisher=Copper Country Hockey History|url=http://www.cchockeyhistory.org/|accessdate=5 January 2012}}</ref> James Dee assisted in financing the reconstruction.<ref name=cchockey/> |
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==Dee Stadium== |
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The New Amphidrome was renamed the '''James R. "Dee" Ice Stadium''' in 1943 when the [[Michigan College of Mining and Technology]] (now Michigan Technological University) purchased it for their [[Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey|hockey team]].<ref name=cchockey/> Michigan Tech played their last hockey game in the Dee Stadium on January 13, 1972, after which they moved to the [[John MacInnes Student Ice Arena]].<ref name=cc1970>{{cite web|last=Julien|first=Connie|title=1970s|url=http://www.cchockeyhistory.org/Timeline/1970s.htm|publisher=Copper Country Hockey History|accessdate=6 January 2012}}</ref> |
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In 1974, the City of Houghton signed a 99-year lease for the Dee Stadium from Michigan Tech.<ref name=cc1970/> In May 1983, the City of Houghton eliminated Dee Stadium from their annual budget due to financial reasons and the recent vandalism at Dee Stadium.<ref>Goffin, Jim "City ready to write off Dee Stadium." Daily Mining Gazette,4/07/1983. CCVF: building- Amphidrome. MTU Archives & CCHC.</ref> The Copper Country Junior Hockey Association (CCJHA) was blamed for the vandalism. The City of Houghton told the Daily Mining Gazette that the young hockey players were the reason the Dee is falling apart and that the City is not at fault for the condition of the Dee. |
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| ⚫ | With the City threatening to close Dee stadium, 468 adults and 423 students signed a petition to keep the Dee open for use. The [[Houghton High School]] Hockey coach at the time Don Miller said, "By having to move to either Houghton County Arena or the Student Ice Arena, a severe scheduling problem would arise…especially the Houghton High School Hockey Team." All kinds of community groups got involved with the Dee petition. The Houghton-Portage Teachers Education Association expressed their interest in the situation by stating, "the teachers feel strongly about Dee Stadium and the purpose that it serves. For the next five years, there were fundraising efforts to save Dee Stadium from being closed". These fundraisers also provided Dee Stadium with the proper improvements that it needed.<ref>Goffin, Jim "Council Views petitions and letters urging continued use of Dee Stadium." Daily Mining Gazette, 4/23/1983. CCVF: building- Amphidrome. MTU Archives & CCHC.</ref> At each of these annual fund raising dinners, there were 200 tickets sold at $100 at ticket, which gained an $8,000 profit per year. The goal with this money was to put new siding on all four sides of the building and to put in new insulation to make the ballroom available for year-round use.<ref>Lajeunesse, Tom "Dee Stadium June 8." Daily Mining Gazette, 5/19/1984. CCVF: building- Amphidrome. MTU Archives & CCHC.</ref> |
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In 1988, the City of Houghton purchased the Dee Stadium.<ref name=cc1980>{{cite web|last=Julien|first=Connie|title=1980s|url=http://www.cchockeyhistory.org/Timeline/1980s.htm|publisher=Copper Country Hockey History|accessdate=6 January 2012}}</ref> |
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===Current use=== |
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Dee Stadium is the current home of the Houghton High School Hockey team and Portage Lake Pioneers Senior Hockey team.<ref name=rec/> It is a venue for [[Michigan Technological University's Winter Carnival|Michigan Tech's Winter Carnival]]{{fact|date=January 2012}} and the annual Parade of Nations festival.<ref>{{cite web|last=Donovan|first=Jennifer|title=Parade of Nations Brings a World of Food and Festivities to the Keweenaw|url=http://www.mtu.edu/news/stories/2011/september/story47051.html|publisher=Michigan Technological University|accessdate=6 January 2012|date=September 9, 2011}}</ref> |
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===Facilities=== |
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Upstairs at the Dee Stadium is the Level II skatepark.<ref name=rec>{{cite web|title=Dee Stadium|url=http://www.cityofhoughton.com/rec-dee.php|publisher=City of Houghton|accessdate=6 January 2012}}</ref> The park was originally build in 2000 and rebuilt in 2005.{{fact|date=January 2012}} Besides having various ramps for skateboarding and biking they also have a stage and host concerts.<ref name=dmg>{{cite news|last=Chapin|first=Vienna|title=Rockin’ the skatepark|url=http://www.mininggazette.com/page/content.detail/id/501202.html|accessdate=6 January 2012|newspaper=[[The Daily Mining Gazette]]|date=July 18, 2008}}</ref> |
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The Dee Stadium houses a museum that showcases the history of the site and the [[history of ice hockey]] in the area. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 22:18, 6 January 2012
Dee Stadium, also called The Dee, is an ice hockey arena in Houghton, Michigan, that replaces, and is located on the same site as, the Amphidrome. It is regarded as the birthplace of professional hockey, and is the seventh oldest indoor ice rink in the world.[1]
Amphidrome
| Amphidrome | |
|---|---|
 Amphidrome under construction | |
| Built | 1902 |
| Designated | ~2006[2] |
The Houghton Warehouse Company, operated by James R. Dee, built and owned the Amphidrome.[3] Construction of the Amphidrome finished in December 1902.[4]
The first hockey game was played on December 29, 1902, in which the Portage Lakes Hockey Club defeated the University of Toronto, 13-2.[3] The game was attended by over 5000 spectators.[4] For the 1903-04 season, the Portage Lakes became the first hockey team whose players were all payed.[2] James Dee and John "Doc" Gibson formed the International Hockey League later that year, in which the Portage Lakes competed.[2] These events marked the beginning of professional hockey.[2]
In 1907, an addition was constructed on the western end of the Amphidrome.[1] Styled like a castle, it was used as a community ballroom and armory.[1]
Fire
The Amphidrome burned down on January 9, 1927.[1] The fire was discovered at 3:45 a.m. in the upper floors of the 1907 addition.[1] The fire destroyed a nearby warehouse and the equipment of the Portage Lakes, the Michigan College of Mines hockey team, and the Houghton and Hancock high school sextets.[1] The fire cancelled the regional high school hockey season and forced other area teams to use the Calumet Colosseum in Calumet, Michigan.[1]
After the loss of the Amphidrome, the debris was cleared and a temporary outdoor rink was formed.[1] Before the next season, in 1928, a replacement stadium was constructed called the New Amphidrome.[5] James Dee assisted in financing the reconstruction.[5]
Dee Stadium
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (January 2012) |
History
The New Amphidrome was renamed the James R. "Dee" Ice Stadium in 1943 when the Michigan College of Mining and Technology (now Michigan Technological University) purchased it for their hockey team.[5] Michigan Tech played their last hockey game in the Dee Stadium on January 13, 1972, after which they moved to the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.[6]
In 1974, the City of Houghton signed a 99-year lease for the Dee Stadium from Michigan Tech.[6] In May 1983, the City of Houghton eliminated Dee Stadium from their annual budget due to financial reasons and the recent vandalism at Dee Stadium.[7] The Copper Country Junior Hockey Association (CCJHA) was blamed for the vandalism. The City of Houghton told the Daily Mining Gazette that the young hockey players were the reason the Dee is falling apart and that the City is not at fault for the condition of the Dee.
With the City threatening to close Dee stadium, 468 adults and 423 students signed a petition to keep the Dee open for use. The Houghton High School Hockey coach at the time Don Miller said, "By having to move to either Houghton County Arena or the Student Ice Arena, a severe scheduling problem would arise…especially the Houghton High School Hockey Team." All kinds of community groups got involved with the Dee petition. The Houghton-Portage Teachers Education Association expressed their interest in the situation by stating, "the teachers feel strongly about Dee Stadium and the purpose that it serves. For the next five years, there were fundraising efforts to save Dee Stadium from being closed". These fundraisers also provided Dee Stadium with the proper improvements that it needed.[8] At each of these annual fund raising dinners, there were 200 tickets sold at $100 at ticket, which gained an $8,000 profit per year. The goal with this money was to put new siding on all four sides of the building and to put in new insulation to make the ballroom available for year-round use.[9]
In 1988, the City of Houghton purchased the Dee Stadium.[10]
Current use
Dee Stadium is the current home of the Houghton High School Hockey team and Portage Lake Pioneers Senior Hockey team.[11] It is a venue for Michigan Tech's Winter Carnival[citation needed] and the annual Parade of Nations festival.[12]
Facilities
Upstairs at the Dee Stadium is the Level II skatepark.[11] The park was originally build in 2000 and rebuilt in 2005.[citation needed] Besides having various ramps for skateboarding and biking they also have a stage and host concerts.[13]
The Dee Stadium houses a museum that showcases the history of the site and the history of ice hockey in the area.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Julien, Connie. "Local Ice Rinks in the Copper Country in Michigan's Western Upper Peninsula". Copper Country Hockey History. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
- ^ a b c d State of Michigan. "Birth Of Professional Hockey / The Amphidrome". MichMarkers.com. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
- ^ a b State of Michigan. "The Amphidrome". Copper Country Hockey History. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
- ^ a b The text, located on the entrance to the Dee (as of 2012), reads, "The construction of the Amphidrome was completed in in December of 1902. The first game was played December 29th, 1902 with over 5000 people in attendance."
- ^ a b c Julien, Connie. "Copper Country Hockey History". Copper Country Hockey History. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
- ^ a b Julien, Connie. "1970s". Copper Country Hockey History. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
- ^ Goffin, Jim "City ready to write off Dee Stadium." Daily Mining Gazette,4/07/1983. CCVF: building- Amphidrome. MTU Archives & CCHC.
- ^ Goffin, Jim "Council Views petitions and letters urging continued use of Dee Stadium." Daily Mining Gazette, 4/23/1983. CCVF: building- Amphidrome. MTU Archives & CCHC.
- ^ Lajeunesse, Tom "Dee Stadium June 8." Daily Mining Gazette, 5/19/1984. CCVF: building- Amphidrome. MTU Archives & CCHC.
- ^ Julien, Connie. "1980s". Copper Country Hockey History. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
- ^ a b "Dee Stadium". City of Houghton. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
- ^ Donovan, Jennifer (September 9, 2011). "Parade of Nations Brings a World of Food and Festivities to the Keweenaw". Michigan Technological University. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
- ^ Chapin, Vienna (July 18, 2008). "Rockin' the skatepark". The Daily Mining Gazette. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
