Kiel Auditorium
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Kiel Auditorium was an indoor arena that stood in St. Louis, Missouri from 1934-1991. It was the home of the Saint Louis University basketball team and hosted the St. Louis Hawks from 1955-1968. It was the host of the NBA All-Star Game in 1958, 1962, and 1965. The arena, completed in 1934 at a cost of $6 million, seated 9,300. It was originally named the Municipal Auditorium, but was later renamed in honor of former St. Louis Mayor Henry Kiel. A unique feature of the auditorium was that it was split into two; the back of the building was the Kiel Opera House. It was possible to use both sides at once as the stages were back to back. President Harry Truman gave a speech there in which both sides were opened to see his speech. During the 1970s, Kiel Auditorium played host to a variety of rock concerts and wrestling cards. In 1983, it was the host of the Miss Universe Pageant. Perhaps the most famous wrestling show there was the 1990 Starrcade. The building was demolished in 1992, but not before hosting the Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament the preceding year.
After its demolition, its games and concerts mostly went to the St. Louis Arena.
The Scottrade Center now stands on the site of the former Kiel-- it replaced The Arena upon its demolition. The Opera House was not torn down but is not open. Efforts are currently being made to restore it.
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Categories: United States sports venue stubs | Buildings and structures in St. Louis | Sports venues in St. Louis | Sports venues in Missouri | Basketball venues in the United States | Indoor arenas in the United States | Defunct indoor arenas | Defunct basketball venues | Saint Louis Billikens basketball | College basketball venues | Professional wrestling venues | NBA All-Star Game Venues | Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament venues | 1934 establishments | 1991 disestablishments | Defunct college basketball venues
