CINCINNATI

I heard this week that the Cincinnati Gardens is in fact succumbing to the wrecking ball.  Agreements have been reached between the city and a wrecking company.  The name has already been removed from the front of the building to be put to use elsewhere in the city.

I grew up about six blocks from "the gardens".  My parents pushed me there in a stroller while it was under construction.  Construction began in 1947 when I was one and it opened in February, 1949.  I visited many times.

I saw my first pro hockey game there - The Cincinnati Mohawks were our team. 
I saw my first pro basketball game there - The Cincinnati Royals were our team.

I saw pro wrestling there.  I saw pro boxing there.  I learned to ice skate there.  I saw the Ice Capades there.  I saw the Harlem Globetrotters there. 

I missed the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Supremes, The Jackson 5,  Elvis Presley and Bon Jovi  but they were all there at different times. 

I saw a UC-XU basketball game there.   Each team used it as there home for a while. 

My dad taught me to drive in their huge parking lot.  I took my girl friend there and almost lost her - for good - long story. 

I knew my way around that place.  We were friends.  Now, it looks like I outlived it.


😀