Just an Old Tin Building ~ 02/23/03

As I was driving home from work the other day, I heard on the news that final approval had been given to tear down an "Old Tin Building," on the corner of Cadiz and Industrial in Dallas. They were tearing down this vacant and decrepit "Old Tin Building" to put up a new, modern drive thru liquor store. Most folks would say who cares, what's the big deal.

Let me tell you a bit about this "Old Tin Building." This building was built in 1936 for the Texas Centennial. One of the main shows put on in this "Old Tin Building" was the weekly wrestling matches, promoted by Ed McLemore. In 1940, The NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) came to Texas. Mr. McLemore was quick to align himself with the fast growing organization. For thirteen years all of the NWA matches in Dallas, Texas were held in this "Old Tin Building." In January of 1953, the NWA and Mr. McLemore parted ways, for reasons unknown. This would not spell the end of the wrestling matches held, but a mere four months later, the matches would stop. In May of 1953, this "Old Tin Building" was burned to the ground by an arsonist.

The wrestling matches moved to Fair Park for six months while the building was rebuilt. On September 22, 1953 , the door reopened and the building got a brand new name. "The Million Dollar Sportatorium." Two, of the Three, local television stations were on hand to broadcast the first matches LIVE from the Sportatorium.

The Sportatorium rejoined the NWA in November of 1953 and a young Football player began his career as a wrestler at about the same time. Jack Adkisson was destined to shape the future of Texas wrestling and the Sportatorium in ways that would not be believed, but in his first practice he broke his shoulder. His first job at the Sportatorium would be as a bookkeeper.

The Sportatorium was also home to the "Big D" Jamboree. A weekly country music show featuring performers from the "Grand Ole Opry" in Nashville. Among the many stars who played the Sportatorium were Hank Thompson, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Lefty Frizzell, a very young Elvis Presley and Hank Williams, Sr. just three days before he died in Montgomery, Alabama. These weekly, Live Music shows started in 1948 and lasted till 1966. Thousands of Country Superstars and Rock and Roll legends played their hearts out in this "Old Tin Building" for the sold out crowds of adoring fans.

In 1969 Ed McLemore died and Jack Adkisson became the owner of the Sportatorium. By this time Jack was better known by his "Professional" name as Fritz Von Erick. Fritz Von Erick and his World Class Wrestling Association would dominate Texas wrestling for many years. At one point, his wrestling promotion was almost the equal of the WWF and the NWA, televising matches all over the world. Hard times and bad decisions brought down the Von Erick family and, with their fall from spotlight, the Sportatorium also fell.

This list of superstars both wrestling and musical that passed through the doors of this "Old Tin Building" would amaze anyone. Wrestling Superstars: Kerry Von Erik (NWA World Champion), Harly Race (NWA World Champion), Ric Flair (NWA World Champion), Steve Austin (WWF World Champion), Andre the Giant, Bruiser Brody, The Freebirds, Iceman King Parsons, Chris Adams, Buddy Rogers (NWA World Champion), Duke Keomuka, Wahoo McDaniels, Thunderbolt Patterson, Johnny Valentine, Gino Hernandez, Gary Hart, Addullah the Butcher, Kevin Von Erick, Mike Von Erick, Fritz Von Erick (AWA World Champion) and Jerry Lawler (AWA World Champion). Music Superstars: Marty Robbins, Carl Perkins, Jim Reeves, Gene Vincent, Johnny Horton, Tex Ritter, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Sr, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Hank Snow, Lefty Frizzell, Ernest Tubb and Bill Monroe.

Another Dallas Landmark gone but not forgotten.

God Bless America
Bill Hocutt