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Historical Context

Plans were announced in 1960 for the construction of a fourth Madison Square Garden, to be located above Pennsylvania Station between 31st and 33rd streets on Seventh Avenue in Manhattan. Demolition of the old Penn Station began in 1963, concrete was poured in 1964, and the $116 million facility began to take shape. And finally, on that electric evening, February 11, 1968, Madison Square Garden IV opened with the Salute to the USO starring Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. It was a star-studded celebration, the first of many to come at the new Worlds Most Famous Arena.

But long before the present Garden, there were three other Madison Square Gardens at two different sites. In 1874, P.T. Barnum acquired an abandoned railroad shed at 26th Street and Madison Avenue. Originally called Barnums Monster Classical and Geological Hippodrome, the roofless building was unveiled April 27, 1874, with events ranging from chariot races, waltzing elephants, to fire-eating freaks.

The lease to the Hippodrome changed hands a few times after 1874, becoming Gilmores Garden the following year, and eventually Madison Square Garden on Memorial Day in 1879.

Garden I lasted until 1889 before being demolished to build the $2 million spectacle on the same site that would be Garden II, which opened on June 16, 1890. Garden II stood through 1925 when New York Life Insurance Company, which held the land mortgage, decided to tear down the Garden and erect its headquarters building there. Thusly, Madison Square Garden III was built in 249 days on the site of the former city trolley car barns, and was opened on the Eighth Avenue site on November 24, 1925 with a six-day bike race serving as the opening event.

This historic venue on Eighth Avenue lasted through that long weekend in February, 1968. While the Salute to the USO was inaugurating the new state-of-the-art Garden up the block, Garden III had its last stand, a Rangers-Red Wings hockey game that ended in a 3-3 tie, a Knicks -- 76ers basketball game that ended with 115-97 Knicks victory, and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show that officially closed down the old Garden. That weekend back in February of 1968 marked the only time in history that two Madison Square Garden events were held simultaneously in two buildings.

Thirty years of memories are crammed into Madison Square Garden IV, including the most anticipated sporting event of the 20th century, Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier, which took place March 8, 1971. The current Garden has seen the Knicks win four Eastern Conferences Championships and two NBA Championships (1970 and 1973) and the Rangers one Stanley Cup (1994).

Garden IV has also seen the inception of the Women's National Basketball Association, as well as its charter team, the New York Liberty, go to the WNBA Finals 3 times in 4 seasons. Further adding to the history of the Garden, The World's Most Famous Arena played host to the inaugural WNBA All-Star game in 1999.

Throughout the past 30 years, the biggest names in the music industry have played Madison Square Garden, including Elvis Presley (1972), the Rolling Stones (1969, 1972, 1975, 1981, 1998), Barbra Streisand (1994, 2000), Frank Sinatra (1974, 1991), Michael Jackson (1988), Billy Joel (1978, 1980, 1984, 1986, 1991, 1993, 1998, 2000), Elton John (1973, 1974, 1976, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000), Led Zeppelin (1970, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977), and Bruce Springsteen (1978, 1980, 1988, 1993, 2000) to name a few.

And which two acts have played more dates in the current Garden than anyone? The Grateful Dead and Elton John. They played an amazing 52 shows in the arena, beginning with their first one in 1979, and culminating with their last one 1994.

The current Garden has hosted such awards shows as The Grammys, the VH1 Awards, The Espys, the Essence Awards and more. Its home once a year to elephants (Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus) dogs (Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show), Cats (International The Cat Show) and it has even hosted a Lion, Tinman, and Scarecrow (The Wizard of Oz).

There are four events whose lineage can be traced all the way back to Garden I: The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, which began in 1877, the National Horse Show, which arrived at the Garden in 1883, P.T. Barnums traveling circus, and boxing.

With such a rich history, its easy to see how Madison Square Garden has become the number one address in the world for sports and entertainment.

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