South Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Los Angeles Sports Arena
1959 - 2016
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 22, 2022
1. Los Angeles Sports Arena Marker
Richard Nixon, United States Vice-President
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena Dedication, 1959.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Notable Buildings • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #35 John F. Kennedy, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #37 Richard M. Nixon series lists.
Location. 34° 0.817′ N, 118° 17.018′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in South Los Angeles. Marker is on Exposition Park Drive just west of Figueroa Street, on the left when traveling west. Located in the sidewalk along the north side of the new soccer stadium. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles CA 90037, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Historic Palm Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Spy in the Sky (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Spy in the Sky (about 700 feet away); Endeavor in Tow (about 800 feet away); Los Angeles Coliseum Mercy Bowl
this page online
Regarding Los Angeles Sports Arena. The Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena opened its doors to the public on July 4, 1959, with a ceremony hosted by Vice President Richard M. Nixon who dedicated the venue as a memorial to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans serving in all military conflicts. Thus began what would become nearly six decades of sporting, entertainment, and community events. Its significance as a trendsetter for American culture cannot be duplicated, serving as the stage for some of the most historic events which shaped and transformed American society and pop culture in the late 20th century.
Featuring a capacity of 15,000, the Memorial Sports Arena hosted many notable events, including the 1960 Democratic National Convention where John F. Kennedy was nominated for President.
In March 2016, the Memorial Sports Arena closed its doors in grand style, hosting a series of sold out shows by American icon Bruce Springsteen.
-from lacoliseum.com
The
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 22, 2022
2. Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus
Greatest Show on Earth, 1959-2004
Additional commentary.
1. Band Competition
In 1977, I played the tuba in a Los Angeles city-wide high school band competition inside the Sports Arena, and my school - Birmingham High - won first place.
— Submitted December 3, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
Photographed By Craig Baker, October 22, 2022
3. John F. Kennedy, Senator
Nominated for President, Democratic Convention, 1960.
Photographed By Craig Baker
4. Rev. Martin Luther King
Freedom Riders Rally, 1961.
Photographed By Craig Baker
5. The Rolling Stones
“Out of our Heads” Tour, 1965.
Photographed By Craig Baker
6. James Brown
“The Godfather of Soul” Tour, 1973.
Photographed By Craig Baker
7. Pink Floyd
“Wish You Were Here” Tour.
“The Wall” Tour.
“A Momentary Lapse of Reason” Tour.
1975, 1980, 1987.
Photographed By Craig Baker
8. Olympic Games
Boxing Tournament, 1984.
Photographed By Craig Baker
9. Bruce Springsteen, E Street Band
“The River Tour”, Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena Final Event, 2016.
Photographed By Craig Baker
10. Los Angeles Sports Arena Markers
11. Postcard, circa 1970
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena and Coliseum
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 186 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on December 3, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
