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Soldier Field
Built in the 1920's, Soldier Field is a monument to the times and great sports palaces typical of the "Golden Age of Sports" and is one of few such stadiums still standing. Plans for the stadium began in 1919, when Holibird and Roche won an architectural competition to build the stadium as a memorial to American soldiers who died in wars.
The stadium was constructed between 1922-28 by the South Park Commission, one of the predecessor park boards that were consolidated as the Chicago Park District in 1934. It officially opened Oct.9, 1924--on the 53rd anniversary of the Chicago Fire--as the 45,000 seat Municipal Grant Park Stadium. Within a year is was renamed Soldier Field and dedicated on Nov. 11,1925. It was formerly dedicated during the Army-Navy game on Nov. 27, 1926.
Built of concrete faced with granite-textured cast stone, the general design followed that of ancient Greek and Roman stadia, and the signature feature was the classic Doric colonnades that rose 100 feet above the playing field. The massive seven-acre facility included exterior dimensions of 678 by 1,184 feet and a central arena 300 by 887 feet.
While stadium building was in vogue across the U.S. during the roaring 20's, the Commission saw Soldier Field as something unique. Instead of catering to a single sport such as football or baseball, it would be designed as "a showcase for events and a playground for all people." Indeed, a 1923 report listing potential uses of the stadium is replete with activities involving the local citizenry: cricket, horseshoes, bike racing, and daily winter activities. The multi-purpose concept was further reinforced by the growing volume of requests to stage various events there.
When completed, the stadium contained 74,280 permanent bleacher seats made of fir planking. But is could accommodate more than 30,000 additional spectators on temporary bleachers erected along the interior field, upper promenades and on the large, open field and terrace beyond the north endzone.
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