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{{Infobox Stadium |
 +
{{Infobox venue |
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stadium_name = J.S. Dorton Arena |
 +
stadium_name = Dorton Arena |
−
nickname = Dorton Arena<br />''Paraboleum'' |
+
nickname = ''Paraboleum'' |
 
image = [[File:Dorton Arena.jpg|250px|J.S. Dorton Arena]] |
  
image = [[File:Dorton Arena.jpg|250px|J.S. Dorton Arena]] |
−
location = [[North Carolina State Fairgrounds]], [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]], [[North Carolina]] |
 +
location = [[North Carolina State Fairgrounds]]<br>1025 Blue Ridge Road<br>[[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]], [[North Carolina]] |
 
broke_ground = |
 
broke_ground = |
 
opened = 1952|
  
opened = 1952|
Line 10: Line 10:
 
surface = Ice, Concrete, Hardwood |
  
surface = Ice, Concrete, Hardwood |
 
construction_cost = |
  
construction_cost = |
−
architect = [[Matthew Nowicki]], [[William Henley Dietrick]] |
 +
architect = [[Maciej Nowicki (architect)|Maciej Nowicki]], [[William Henley Dietrick]] |
−
seating_capacity = 5,110- Arena Football and Hockey <br> 7,610- Basketball |
 +
seating_capacity = 5,110 &ndash; Arena Football and Hockey <br> 7,610 &ndash; Basketball |
−
former_names = State Fair Arena |
 +
former_names = State Fair Arena (1952&ndash;1961) |
−
tenants = [[Carolina Aviators]] ([[Ultimate Indoor Football League|UIFL]]) (2012-present)<br>[[Carolina Rollergirls]] ([[Women's Flat Track Derby Association|WFTDA]]) (2006-present)<br>[[Raleigh Rebels]] ([[American Indoor Football League|AIFL]]) (2006)<br>[[Raleigh Cougars]] ([[USBL]]) (1997-1999)<br>[[Raleigh IceCaps]] ([[ECHL]]) (1991-1998)<br>[[Raleigh Bullfrogs]] ([[Global Basketball Association|GBA]]) (1991-1992)<br>[[Carolina Cougars]] ([[American Basketball Association|ABA]]) (1969-1974)
+
tenants = [[Carolina Cougars]] ([[American Basketball Association|ABA]]) (1969–1974)<br>[[Raleigh Bullfrogs]] ([[Global Basketball Association|GBA]]) (1991–1992)<br>[[Raleigh IceCaps]] ([[ECHL]]) (1991–1998)<br>[[Raleigh Cougars]] ([[USBL]]) (1997–1999)<br>[[Raleigh Rebels]] ([[American Indoor Football League|AIFL]]) (2005–2006)<br>[[Carolina Rollergirls]] ([[Women's Flat Track Derby Association|WFTDA]]) (2006–present)<br>[[Triangle Torch]] ([[American Indoor Football|AIF]]/[[Supreme Indoor Football|SIF]]) (2016–2017)
  +
{{Infobox NRHP | name =J. S. Dorton Arena
  +
| embed=yes
  +
| nrhp_type =
  +
| image =
  +
| caption =
  +
| location= North Carolina State Fairgrounds, W. Hillsborough St., [[Raleigh, North Carolina]]
  +
| coordinates = {{coord|35|47|37|N|78|42|36|W|display=inline,title}}
  +
| locmapin = North Carolina#USA
  +
| area =
  +
| built =1953
  +
| architect= Nowicki, Matthew, et al.; Muirhead, William, Construction
  +
| architecture=
  +
| added = April 11, 1973
  +
| governing_body = State
  +
| refnum=73001375
  +
<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref>
  +
}}
 
}}
  
}}
   
−
The '''J.S. Dorton Arena''' (known to its architect as the '''Paraboleum''') is a 7,610-seat multi-purpose [[arena]] in [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]], [[North Carolina]], on the grounds of the [[North Carolina State Fair]]. It was opened in 1952.
 +
'''J. S. Dorton Arena''' is a 7,610-seat multi-purpose [[arena]] located in [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]], [[North Carolina]], on the grounds of the [[North Carolina State Fair]]. It opened in 1952.
   
−
Architect Matthew Nowicki was killed in an airplane crash before the construction phase, and local architect William Henley Dietrick supervised the completion of the arena using Nowicki's innovative design. Its design features a steel cable supported saddle-shaped roof in tension, held up by parabolic concrete arches in compression. The arches cross about 20 feet above ground level and continue underground, where the ends of the arches are held together by more steel cables in tension. The outer walls of the arena support next to no weight at all. Incorporating an unusual [[elliptical]] design by Matthew Nowicki, of the [[North Carolina State University]] Department of Architecture, the arena was listed in the [[National Register of Historic Places]] on April 11, 1973. Originally named the "State Fair Arena", it was dedicated to Dr. J. S. Dorton, former North Carolina State Fair manager, in 1961.
 +
Architect [[Maciej Nowicki (architect)|Maciej Nowicki]] was killed in an airplane crash before the construction phase, and local architect William Henley Dietrick supervised the completion of the arena using Nowicki's innovative design. Its design features a steel cable supported [[saddle roof|saddle-shaped roof]] in tension, held up by [[parabolic concrete arch]]es in compression. The arches cross about 20 feet above ground level and continue underground, where the ends of the arches are held together by more steel cables in tension. The outer walls of the arena support next to no weight at all. Incorporating an unusual [[ellipse|elliptical]] design by Matthew Nowicki, of the [[North Carolina State University]] Department of Architecture, the arena was listed in the [[National Register of Historic Places]] on April 11, 1973.<ref name="nris"/> Originally named the "State Fair Arena", it was dedicated to Dr. J. S. Dorton, former North Carolina State Fair manager, in 1961.<ref name = nrhpinv>{{Cite web | author = Survey and Planning Unit Staff| title =J.S. Dorton Arena| work = National Register of Historic Places - Nomination and Inventory | date = August 1972 | url = http://www.hpo.ncdcr.gov/nr/WA0012.pdf | format = pdf | publisher = North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office | accessdate = 2015-05-01}}</ref>
   
  +
In the past, it has hosted many sporting events, concerts, political rallies and circuses.
⚫
It is currently the home of the [[Carolina Rollergirls]] ([[WFTDA]]). In the past, it has served as the home of numerous sports teams. The longest serving tenant was the [[Raleigh IceCaps]] ([[ECHL]]) [[ice hockey]] team from 1991&ndash;1998. The [[American Basketball Association]]'s [[Carolina Cougars]] also played some games there from 1969&ndash;74. Starting in 2012, it will be home to the [[Carolina Aviators]] of the [[Ultimate Indoor Football League]].
  
   
  +
== Historic significance ==
⚫
Besides hosting sporting events, the arena is also used for concerts during the North Carolina State Fair. Various conventions and fairs also use floorspace of the arena as an exhibition space, often in conjunction with the neighboring Jim Graham building.
 
  +
The Dorton Arena was the first structure in the world to use a cable-supported roof. The structure is based on two parabolic concrete arches which lean over to the point that they are closer to being parallel to the ground than they are to being vertical. The arches lean toward and beyond each other such that they cross each other 26 feet above ground. These arches, approaching horizontal in plane, thus serve as the outer edges of the structure, which when viewed from above appears almost elliptical. The arches are supported by slender columns around the building perimeter. Cables are strung between the two opposing arch structures providing support for the saddle-shaped roof. This was the first permanent cable-supported roof in the world. Constructed in 1952, the arena was the predecessor of more famous domed stadiums to follow such as the [[Houston Astrodome]] in 1965 and the [[Louisiana Superdome]] in 1975.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ncstatefair.org/facilities/dortonhistory.htm |title=Extended history of the J.S. Dorton Arena |publisher=North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services |access-date=June 29, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asce.org/project/dorton-arena/ |title=Dorton Arena |publisher=American Society of Civil Engineers |access-date=June 29, 2017}}</ref>
   
  +
== Sports ==
⚫
The arena was also the site of a 2010 FIRST FRC regional robotics competition and was the first space to hold a regional in the state.
  
  ⚫
The longest-running tenant was the [[Raleigh IceCaps]] ([[ECHL]]) [[ice hockey]] team from 1991&ndash;1998. The [[American Basketball Association]]'s [[Carolina Cougars]] also played some games in the arena from 1969&ndash;74. It was also the home of the [[Carolina Rollergirls]] ([[Women's Flat Track Derby Association|WFTDA]]).
  +
  +
[[File:Triangle Torch vs Lehigh Valley Steelhawks 1.jpg|thumb|left|[[Triangle Torch]] (black jerseys with and red and yellow accents) vs. [[Lehigh Valley Steelhawks]] (gold jerseys with black accents) during a game at Dorton Arena, March 25, 2016]]The Cougars became tenants after the [[Houston Mavericks]] moved to North Carolina in 1969. The Cougars were a "regional franchise", playing "home" games in Charlotte ([[Bojangles' Coliseum]]), Greensboro ([[Greensboro Coliseum]]), [[Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum]] and Raleigh (Dorton Arena). Hall of Fame Coach [[Larry Brown (Coach)|Larry Brown]] began his coaching career with the Cougars in 1972. [[Billy Cunningham]] was the ABA MVP for the Brown and theCougars in the 1972&ndash;73 season. Despite a strong fan base the Cougars were sold and moved to St. Louis in 1974.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.remembertheaba.com/Carolina-Cougars.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2014-05-19 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127080229/http://remembertheaba.com/Carolina-Cougars.html |archivedate=2013-11-27 |df= }}</ref>
  +
  +
Dorton Arena was a popular venue for [[professional wrestling]] in the 70s and 80s, with sometimes weekly matches. Wrestler [[Roddy Piper|Rowdy Roddy Piper]] defeated “Nature Boy” [[Ric Flair]] for the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] U.S. Heavyweight championship in Dorton Arena on Jan. 27, 1981.
  +
  +
Beginning in 2016, it became the home of the [[Triangle Torch]] in [[American Indoor Football]].<ref name="torchaif">{{cite web | url=http://triangletorchproindoorfootball.com/news/59-aif-in-raleigh-nc-begins-today-as-new-team-has-been-awarded-to-raleigh-nc.html | title=AIF in Raleigh NC begins today as new team has been awarded to Raleigh, NC. | publisher=Triangle Torch | date=August 12, 2015 | accessdate=August 12, 2015 | deadurl=yes | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822131456/http://triangletorchproindoorfootball.com/news/59-aif-in-raleigh-nc-begins-today-as-new-team-has-been-awarded-to-raleigh-nc.html | archivedate=August 22, 2015 | df= }}</ref> The Torch have since played as members of [[Supreme Indoor Football]] but left Dorton Arena prior to the 2018 season in the [[American Arena League]].
  +
  +
== Other events ==
  ⚫
Besides hosting sporting events, the arena is also used for concerts during the North Carolina State Fair. Various conventions and fairs also use floorspace of the arena as an exhibition space, often in conjunction with the neighboring Jim Graham building.
  +
  ⚫
The arena has hosted the [[FIRST Robotics Competition]] (FRC) regional robotics competition and was the first space to hold a regional in the state.
  +
  +
Both [[Shaw University]] and [[Meredith College]] use Dorton Arena as a site for graduation, and the [[North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics]] use the facility as a rain site for their commencement exercises.
  +
  +
== Concerts in Dorton (non-fair) ==
  +
Dorton Arena and [[Reynolds Coliseum]] were the only concert venues in the Capital City for many decades before [[Walnut Creek Amphitheatre|Walnut Creek Amphitheater]] and [[PNC Arena]] were built. The building was originally designed for livestock shows, not for concerts, so while there are unobstructed views of the stage, the sound tends to bounce off the glass. Fair officials have made significant changes to improve the acoustics of the building in recent years. Many of the biggest names in entertainment have played in this arena.
  +
{| class="wikitable"
  +
|Artist
  +
|Date
  +
|Citation
  +
|-
  +
|Ray Charles and his Augmented Orchestra
  +
|Oct. 8, 1962
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Johnny Cash
  +
|September 8, 1963
  +
|Billboard Aug. 31, 1963
  +
|-
  +
|The Original Hootenanny starring the Journeyman, The Halifax 111, Geeezinslaw Brothers, Jo Mapes, Glenn Yarbrough
  +
|Nov. 1, 1963
  +
|Daily Tar Heel Oct. 27, 1963
  +
|-
  +
|Caravan of Record Stars, including the Shirelles, the Supremes and the Coasters
  +
|July 22, 1964
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|The Four Seasons
  +
|May 4, 1964
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Beach Boys
  +
|July 12, 1965
  +
|<nowiki>http://vintageconcertposters.com/_main/Index.cfm?page=api/gallery/photo.cfm&id=40&gid=13&poster=Beach%20Boys%20Dorton%20Arena%201965</nowiki>
  +
|-
  +
|Warner Mack, the Wilburn Brothers, harold Morrison,
  +
|Nov. 26, 1965
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|The Supremes
  +
|Feb. 6, 1966
  +
|Daily Tar Heel
  +
|-
  +
|The Righteous Brothers
  +
|Oct. 28, 1966
  +
|Daily Tar Heel
  +
|-
  +
|Wilson Pickett Sho, Jr. Walker and the All Stars, Sam & Dave, Billy Stewart, James Carr, TV Mama, King Coleman and Al "TNT" Braggs and his great show orchestra
  +
|Nov. 14, 1966
  +
|Daily Tar Heel
  +
|-
  +
|Otis Reading, the Marvelettes, James & Bobby Purify, The Drifters
  +
|Jan. 30, 1967
  +
|Daily Tar Heel
  +
|-
  +
|The Supremes
  +
|Feb. 5, 1967
  +
|Daily Tar Heel (Jan. 12, 1967)
  +
|-
  +
|Lou Rawls
  +
|Feb. 18, 1967
  +
|Daily Tar Heel (Jan. 12, 1967)
  +
|-
  +
|The Temptations
  +
|March 12, 1967
  +
|Daily Tar Heel Mar 10, 1967
  +
|-
  +
|Beach Boys w/ Davy Jones
  +
|April 23, 1968
  +
|(rescheduled from April 6, which was cancelled due to MLK's assassination)
  +
|-
  +
|The Four Seasons
  +
|May 4, 1968
  +
|Billboard, April 27, 1968
  +
|-
  +
|Jimi Hendrix Experience
  +
|April 11, 1969
  +
|<nowiki>http://www.jimihendrix.com/us/encyclopedia#cat=434&tag=761,911&per_page=5&month=1969-4</nowiki>
  +
|-
  +
|Led Zeppelin
  +
|April 8, 1970
  +
|<nowiki>http://www.ledzeppelin.com/show/april-8-1970</nowiki>
  +
|-
  +
|Country Shindig - Jerry Lee Lewis with Linda Gail Lewis
  +
|Aug. 29, 1970
  +
|<nowiki>http://www.lookatstubs.com/cgi-bin/tickets_searchdb.pl?venue&J.S.%20Dorton%20Arena</nowiki>
  +
|-
  +
|The Grand Funk Railroad
  +
|April 23, 1971
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Jackson 5
  +
|Aug. 1, 1971
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Country Shinding - Jerry Lee Lewis, Dolly Parton & Porter Wagoner
  +
|May 28, 1971
  +
|<nowiki>http://www.lookatstubs.com/cgi-bin/tickets_searchdb.pl?venue&J.S.%20Dorton%20Arena</nowiki>
  +
|-
  +
|James Taylor / Carole King, Jo Mama
  +
|March 4, 1971
  +
|<nowiki>http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/67889414/</nowiki>
  +
|-
  +
|Black Sabbath
  +
|March 6, 1972
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|King Crimson
  +
|March 29, 1972
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Jethro Tull w/ Captain Beefheart
  +
|April 20, 1972
  +
|Billboard April 22, 1972
  +
|-
  +
|The Guess Who Live at the Paramount
  +
|Aug. 10, 1972
  +
|Billboard, Aug. 12, 1972
  +
|-
  +
|Blood Sweat and Tears w/ NC Symphony
  +
|Jan. 12, 1973
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|The Sylvers
  +
|Nov. 16, 1973
  +
|Billboard Magazine Oct. 27, 1973
  +
|-
  +
|Blood Sweat and Tears w/ NC Symphony
  +
|Jan. 12, 1974
  +
|Daily Tar Heel Jan. 9, 1974
  +
|-
  +
|Kris Kristofferson and Waylon Jennings
  +
|February 15, 1974
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Tom Rundgren's Utopia
  +
|March 8, 1974
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|KISS [[Rock & Roll Over Tour|Rock & Roll Over tour]]
  +
|Nov. 27, 1976
  +
|<nowiki>http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/kiss/1976/dorton-arena-raleigh-nc-53d0b795.html</nowiki>
  +
|-
  +
|The Outlaws, Rick Derringer, Foghat
  +
|Jan. 22, 1977
  +
|The Technician, Jan. 24, 1977
  +
|-
  +
|Rick James Fire it Up tour w/ Prince
  +
|March 15, 1980
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Kool and the Gang, the Gap Band, Skyy and Yarbrough and Peoples
  +
|March 27, 1981
  +
|<nowiki>https://d.lib.ncsu.edu/collections/catalog/technician-v61n73-1981-03-27/pages/technician-v61n73-1981-03-27_0004#p</nowiki>
  +
|-
  +
|PKM
  +
|March 1, 1982
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Loverboy
  +
|September 1982
  +
|The Technician Sept. 10, 1982
  +
|-
  +
|Prince ([[Controversy Tour]])
  +
|March 12, 1982
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|[http://www.lookatstubs.com/cgi-bin/viewer/lookatstubs_viewer.pl?kcbands_giveemahand_raleigh_070283&1980 Maxwell House Give 'em A Hand Concert - Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, Jerry Reed, Lee Greenwood, Cabin Fever -]{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  +
|July 2, 1983
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Heart
  +
|Aug. 31, 1985
  +
|<nowiki>http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/heart/concerts/dorton-arena-august-31-1985.html</nowiki>
  +
|-
  +
|RATT / Bon Jovi [[7800 Fahrenheit Tour]]
  +
|November 1, 1985
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|George Thorogood
  +
|Nov. 30, 1986
  +
|Daily Tar Heel Dec. 1, 1986
  +
|-
  +
|Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble
  +
|February 11, 1987
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
|Petra
  +
|Nov. 2, 1990
  +
|<nowiki>http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/petra/1990/dorton-arena-raleigh-nc-13d0ed91.html</nowiki>
  +
|-
  +
|Climax Blues Band
  +
|Nov. 27, 1976
  +
|Billboard Nov. 27, 1976
  +
|}
   
 
==See also==
  
==See also==
Line 35: Line 259:
   
 
==References==
  
==References==
−
{{reflist}}
 +
{{reflist|30em}}
   
 
==External links==
  
==External links==
  +
{{commonscat|Dorton Arena}}
 
* [http://www.ncstatefair.org/dorton.htm Official Website] via the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
  
* [http://www.ncstatefair.org/dorton.htm Official Website] via the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
 
* [http://www.ncstatefair.org/facilities/dortonhistory.htm Extended history] including construction photos and structural details
  
* [http://www.ncstatefair.org/facilities/dortonhistory.htm Extended history] including construction photos and structural details
−
* [http://www.midatlanticgateway.com/Resource_Center/venues/dorton/dorton_arena.htm Historic photos] of Dorton Arena
 +
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100329232829/http://www.midatlanticgateway.com/Resource_Center/venues/dorton/dorton_arena.htm Historic photos] of Dorton Arena
−
* [http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/mc00190 Matthew Nowicki Papers at NCSU Libraries], includes drawings of Dorton
 +
* [http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/findingaids/mc00190 Matthew Nowicki Papers] at [[NCSU]] Libraries, includes drawings of Dorton
  +
* [http://www.archdaily.com/544681/video-dorton-arena Video: JS Dorton Arena, the Fairground Pavilion That Was a Modernist Marvel] by ArchDaily.com, 4 September 2014
  +
  +
{{National Register of Historic Places in North Carolina}}
  +
{{Raleigh, North Carolina |state=autocollapse}}
  +
{{Triangle sports venues}}
  ⚫
{{AIF Arenas}}
  +
{{WFTDA venues}}
   
  +
[[Category:Event venues on the National Register of Historic Places in North Carolina]]
⚫
{{UIFL Arenas}}
  
  ⚫
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1952]]
 
[[Category:American Basketball Association venues]]
  
[[Category:American Basketball Association venues]]
 
[[Category:Basketball venues in North Carolina]]
  
[[Category:Basketball venues in North Carolina]]
 
[[Category:Carolina Cougars]]
  
[[Category:Carolina Cougars]]
 
[[Category:Arena football venues]]
  
[[Category:Arena football venues]]
−
[[Category:Roller derby venues in the United States]]
  
 
[[Category:Indoor ice hockey venues in the United States]]
  
[[Category:Indoor ice hockey venues in the United States]]
−
[[Category:Indoor arenas in the United States]]
 +
[[Category:Indoor arenas in North Carolina]]
 
[[Category:Tensile membrane structures]]
  
[[Category:Tensile membrane structures]]
  +
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Raleigh, North Carolina]]
 
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Raleigh, North Carolina]]
  
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Raleigh, North Carolina]]
 
[[Category:Sports venues in Raleigh, North Carolina]]
  
[[Category:Sports venues in Raleigh, North Carolina]]
⚫
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1952]]
  
 
[[Category:Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks]]
  
[[Category:Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks]]
  +
[[Category:Sports venues on the National Register of Historic Places in North Carolina]]
  +
[[Category:1952 establishments in North Carolina]]

Revision as of 02:12, 8 April 2019

Dorton Arena
Former namesState Fair Arena (1952–1961)
LocationNorth Carolina State Fairgrounds
1025 Blue Ridge Road
Raleigh, North Carolina
OwnerState of North Carolina
OperatorState of North Carolina
Capacity5,110 – Arena Football and Hockey
7,610 – Basketball
SurfaceIce, Concrete, Hardwood
Construction
Opened1952
ArchitectMaciej Nowicki, William Henley Dietrick
Tenants
Carolina Cougars (ABA) (1969–1974)
Raleigh Bullfrogs (GBA) (1991–1992)
Raleigh IceCaps (ECHL) (1991–1998)
Raleigh Cougars (USBL) (1997–1999)
Raleigh Rebels (AIFL) (2005–2006)
Carolina Rollergirls (WFTDA) (2006–present)
Triangle Torch (AIF/SIF) (2016–2017)

J. S. Dorton Arena is a 7,610-seat multi-purpose arena located in Raleigh, North Carolina, on the grounds of the North Carolina State Fair. It opened in 1952.

Architect Maciej Nowicki was killed in an airplane crash before the construction phase, and local architect William Henley Dietrick supervised the completion of the arena using Nowicki's innovative design. Its design features a steel cable supported saddle-shaped roof in tension, held up by parabolic concrete arches in compression. The arches cross about 20 feet above ground level and continue underground, where the ends of the arches are held together by more steel cables in tension. The outer walls of the arena support next to no weight at all. Incorporating an unusual elliptical design by Matthew Nowicki, of the North Carolina State University Department of Architecture, the arena was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on April 11, 1973.[1] Originally named the "State Fair Arena", it was dedicated to Dr. J. S. Dorton, former North Carolina State Fair manager, in 1961.[2]

In the past, it has hosted many sporting events, concerts, political rallies and circuses.

Historic significance

The Dorton Arena was the first structure in the world to use a cable-supported roof. The structure is based on two parabolic concrete arches which lean over to the point that they are closer to being parallel to the ground than they are to being vertical. The arches lean toward and beyond each other such that they cross each other 26 feet above ground. These arches, approaching horizontal in plane, thus serve as the outer edges of the structure, which when viewed from above appears almost elliptical. The arches are supported by slender columns around the building perimeter. Cables are strung between the two opposing arch structures providing support for the saddle-shaped roof. This was the first permanent cable-supported roof in the world. Constructed in 1952, the arena was the predecessor of more famous domed stadiums to follow such as the Houston Astrodome in 1965 and the Louisiana Superdome in 1975.[3][4]

Sports

The longest-running tenant was the Raleigh IceCaps (ECHL) ice hockey team from 1991–1998. The American Basketball Association's Carolina Cougars also played some games in the arena from 1969–74. It was also the home of the Carolina Rollergirls (WFTDA).

File:Triangle Torch vs Lehigh Valley Steelhawks 1.jpg

Triangle Torch (black jerseys with and red and yellow accents) vs. Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (gold jerseys with black accents) during a game at Dorton Arena, March 25, 2016

The Cougars became tenants after the Houston Mavericks moved to North Carolina in 1969. The Cougars were a "regional franchise", playing "home" games in Charlotte (Bojangles' Coliseum), Greensboro (Greensboro Coliseum), Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum and Raleigh (Dorton Arena). Hall of Fame Coach Larry Brown began his coaching career with the Cougars in 1972. Billy Cunningham was the ABA MVP for the Brown and theCougars in the 1972–73 season. Despite a strong fan base the Cougars were sold and moved to St. Louis in 1974.[5]

Dorton Arena was a popular venue for professional wrestling in the 70s and 80s, with sometimes weekly matches. Wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper defeated “Nature Boy” Ric Flair for the National Wrestling Alliance U.S. Heavyweight championship in Dorton Arena on Jan. 27, 1981.

Beginning in 2016, it became the home of the Triangle Torch in American Indoor Football.[6] The Torch have since played as members of Supreme Indoor Football but left Dorton Arena prior to the 2018 season in the American Arena League.

Other events

Besides hosting sporting events, the arena is also used for concerts during the North Carolina State Fair. Various conventions and fairs also use floorspace of the arena as an exhibition space, often in conjunction with the neighboring Jim Graham building.

The arena has hosted the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) regional robotics competition and was the first space to hold a regional in the state.

Both Shaw University and Meredith College use Dorton Arena as a site for graduation, and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics use the facility as a rain site for their commencement exercises.

Concerts in Dorton (non-fair)

Dorton Arena and Reynolds Coliseum were the only concert venues in the Capital City for many decades before Walnut Creek Amphitheater and PNC Arena were built. The building was originally designed for livestock shows, not for concerts, so while there are unobstructed views of the stage, the sound tends to bounce off the glass. Fair officials have made significant changes to improve the acoustics of the building in recent years. Many of the biggest names in entertainment have played in this arena.

Artist Date Citation
Ray Charles and his Augmented Orchestra Oct. 8, 1962
Johnny Cash September 8, 1963 Billboard Aug. 31, 1963
The Original Hootenanny starring the Journeyman, The Halifax 111, Geeezinslaw Brothers, Jo Mapes, Glenn Yarbrough Nov. 1, 1963 Daily Tar Heel Oct. 27, 1963
Caravan of Record Stars, including the Shirelles, the Supremes and the Coasters July 22, 1964
The Four Seasons May 4, 1964
Beach Boys July 12, 1965 http://vintageconcertposters.com/_main/Index.cfm?page=api/gallery/photo.cfm&id=40&gid=13&poster=Beach%20Boys%20Dorton%20Arena%201965
Warner Mack, the Wilburn Brothers, harold Morrison, Nov. 26, 1965
The Supremes Feb. 6, 1966 Daily Tar Heel
The Righteous Brothers Oct. 28, 1966 Daily Tar Heel
Wilson Pickett Sho, Jr. Walker and the All Stars, Sam & Dave, Billy Stewart, James Carr, TV Mama, King Coleman and Al "TNT" Braggs and his great show orchestra Nov. 14, 1966 Daily Tar Heel
Otis Reading, the Marvelettes, James & Bobby Purify, The Drifters Jan. 30, 1967 Daily Tar Heel
The Supremes Feb. 5, 1967 Daily Tar Heel (Jan. 12, 1967)
Lou Rawls Feb. 18, 1967 Daily Tar Heel (Jan. 12, 1967)
The Temptations March 12, 1967 Daily Tar Heel Mar 10, 1967
Beach Boys w/ Davy Jones April 23, 1968 (rescheduled from April 6, which was cancelled due to MLK's assassination)
The Four Seasons May 4, 1968 Billboard, April 27, 1968
Jimi Hendrix Experience April 11, 1969 http://www.jimihendrix.com/us/encyclopedia#cat=434&tag=761,911&per_page=5&month=1969-4
Led Zeppelin April 8, 1970 http://www.ledzeppelin.com/show/april-8-1970
Country Shindig - Jerry Lee Lewis with Linda Gail Lewis Aug. 29, 1970 http://www.lookatstubs.com/cgi-bin/tickets_searchdb.pl?venue&J.S.%20Dorton%20Arena
The Grand Funk Railroad April 23, 1971
Jackson 5 Aug. 1, 1971
Country Shinding - Jerry Lee Lewis, Dolly Parton & Porter Wagoner May 28, 1971 http://www.lookatstubs.com/cgi-bin/tickets_searchdb.pl?venue&J.S.%20Dorton%20Arena
James Taylor / Carole King, Jo Mama March 4, 1971 http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/67889414/
Black Sabbath March 6, 1972
King Crimson March 29, 1972
Jethro Tull w/ Captain Beefheart April 20, 1972 Billboard April 22, 1972
The Guess Who Live at the Paramount Aug. 10, 1972 Billboard, Aug. 12, 1972
Blood Sweat and Tears w/ NC Symphony Jan. 12, 1973
The Sylvers Nov. 16, 1973 Billboard Magazine Oct. 27, 1973
Blood Sweat and Tears w/ NC Symphony Jan. 12, 1974 Daily Tar Heel Jan. 9, 1974
Kris Kristofferson and Waylon Jennings February 15, 1974
Tom Rundgren's Utopia March 8, 1974
KISS Rock & Roll Over tour Nov. 27, 1976 http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/kiss/1976/dorton-arena-raleigh-nc-53d0b795.html
The Outlaws, Rick Derringer, Foghat Jan. 22, 1977 The Technician, Jan. 24, 1977
Rick James Fire it Up tour w/ Prince March 15, 1980
Kool and the Gang, the Gap Band, Skyy and Yarbrough and Peoples March 27, 1981 https://d.lib.ncsu.edu/collections/catalog/technician-v61n73-1981-03-27/pages/technician-v61n73-1981-03-27_0004#p
PKM March 1, 1982
Loverboy September 1982 The Technician Sept. 10, 1982
Prince (Controversy Tour) March 12, 1982
Maxwell House Give 'em A Hand Concert - Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, Jerry Reed, Lee Greenwood, Cabin Fever -[dead link] July 2, 1983
Heart Aug. 31, 1985 http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/heart/concerts/dorton-arena-august-31-1985.html
RATT / Bon Jovi 7800 Fahrenheit Tour November 1, 1985
George Thorogood Nov. 30, 1986 Daily Tar Heel Dec. 1, 1986
Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble February 11, 1987
Petra Nov. 2, 1990 http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/petra/1990/dorton-arena-raleigh-nc-13d0ed91.html
Climax Blues Band Nov. 27, 1976 Billboard Nov. 27, 1976

See also

  • Tensile architecture
  • Tensile and membrane structures
  • Thin-shell structure
  • List of thin shell structures
  • List of Registered Historic Places in North Carolina
  • List of historic civil engineering landmarks

References

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named nris
  2. ↑ Survey and Planning Unit Staff (August 1972). "J.S. Dorton Arena" (pdf). National Register of Historic Places - Nomination and Inventory. North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office. http://www.hpo.ncdcr.gov/nr/WA0012.pdf. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  3. ↑ "Extended history of the J.S. Dorton Arena". North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. http://www.ncstatefair.org/facilities/dortonhistory.htm.
  4. ↑ "Dorton Arena". American Society of Civil Engineers. http://www.asce.org/project/dorton-arena/.
  5. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-11-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20131127080229/http://remembertheaba.com/Carolina-Cougars.html. Retrieved 2014-05-19.
  6. ↑ "AIF in Raleigh NC begins today as new team has been awarded to Raleigh, NC.". Triangle Torch. August 12, 2015. Archived from the original on August 22, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150822131456/http://triangletorchproindoorfootball.com/news/59-aif-in-raleigh-nc-begins-today-as-new-team-has-been-awarded-to-raleigh-nc.html. Retrieved August 12, 2015.

External links

Template:National Register of Historic Places in North Carolina Template:Raleigh, North Carolina Template:Triangle sports venues Template:AIF Arenas Template:WFTDA venues

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