Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum facts for kids
Coliseum at the Michigan State Fair
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| Former names | Hockeytown State Fair Coliseum |
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| Location | 1120 W. State Fair Ave., Detroit, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 42°26′36″N 83°7′3″W / 42.44333°N 83.11750°W |
| Capacity | 5,600 |
| Surface | 200 by 85 feet (61 m × 26 m) (hockey) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1922 |
| Demolished | 2022 |
| Architect | Lynn W. Fry |
| Tenants | |
| Wayne State Warriors (NCAA) (1999–2000, 2005–2008) Royal Oak-Shrine Catholic Knights (CHSL) (2006–2007, 2008–2009) |
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Michigan State Fair Riding Coliseum, Dairy Cattle Building, and Agricultural Building
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| NRHP reference No. | 80001925 |
| Added to NRHP | June 6, 1980 |
The Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum was a large building in Detroit, Michigan, used for many different events. It was also known as the Hockeytown State Fair Coliseum. This arena could hold 5,600 people.
Built in 1922, the Coliseum was an important part of the Michigan State Fairgrounds. The Michigan State Fair was the oldest state fair in the United States. It took place here every year until 2009. The Coliseum was also a long-time home for the famous Shrine Circus performances in Detroit. Sadly, the building was taken down in early 2022.
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Discovering the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum
The Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum was a special place in Detroit for many years. It hosted everything from exciting ice hockey games to fun fair events. This historic building saw generations of visitors come through its doors.
A Historic Home for Fun and Sports
For decades, the Coliseum was a central part of the Michigan State Fair. This fair brought people together for rides, food, and entertainment. It was a beloved tradition for families across Michigan. The Coliseum also hosted the Shrine Circus, a popular show with amazing acts.
Ice Hockey Action at the Coliseum
The Coliseum was a popular spot for ice hockey. Many teams played their games on its ice rink. The rink measured 200 feet by 85 feet, perfect for fast-paced hockey.
Wayne State Warriors on Ice
From 1999 to 2008, the Wayne State University Warriors ice hockey team called the Coliseum home. They played their first college hockey season here in 1999. The team returned to the Coliseum in 2005 after playing in other arenas. In 2006, the Coliseum also hosted the College Hockey America conference tournament for both men's and women's teams.
High School Hockey Teams
Local high school teams also enjoyed playing at the Coliseum. The Royal Oak-Shrine Catholic High School Knights ice hockey team started playing here in 2006. They returned for their first varsity season in 2008–2009.
Featured in a Movie
The Coliseum even made it to the big screen! Its outside appearance was used in the 2008 movie Semi-Pro. In the movie, it was called the Flint Fairgrounds Coliseum.
The Coliseum's Final Chapter
In 2020, the entire state fairgrounds property was sold to Amazon. The company planned to build a large distribution center on the site. Because of this, the buildings on the fairgrounds, including the Coliseum, were scheduled for demolition. The demolition of the Coliseum began in January 2022 and was finished by May of that year. However, a part of the building's front, called its facade, was saved and preserved.
