Astrodome

I went to my first NFL game here. I don’t remember the year but it was Steelers vs. Oilers and Eric Campbell and Terry Bradshaw both played in that game. Wow. I remember it like it was yesterday. I miss Houston having the personality it did back then. I miss the NFL being what it was too. Oh well…...

Built in 1965, the Astrodome was the first domed stadium ever to be built, and, due to the lack of sunlight inside, was one of the first stadiums to use artificial grass – “Astro Turf.”

It was home to the Oilers, who moved to Tennessee in 1996; the Astros, who moved to Enron Field in 1999; and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which moved to Reliant Stadium in 2003.

In its heyday, it was nicknamed the Eighth Wonder of the World. Most recently, it became temporary shelter for displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Knowing Houston’s historic preservation efforts – or lack thereof – you might want to enjoy the Dome while you can. It has a lot of history, but no real function, and that’s always bad news for an old building in Houston.

It was kind of boring for a kid.