War Memorial Stadium Entrance, a.k.a. the Rockpile
Description
A WPA stadium originally completed in 1937, War Memorial Stadium (a.k.a. the Rockpile, or Best Street Stadium) housed the Buffalo Bills before falling into disuse. Though the stadium itself was demolished in 1988, its northeast and southeast entrances have been preserved.
A 1940 WPA write-up detailed the project: “Like Bleecker Stadium in Albany, Best Street stadium was an abandoned reservoir, destined to become a city eyesore. Forming a natural amphitheatre the site was converted into a stadium, with concrete stands and walls, seating 38,000 persons. As a result many sports events which the city could not otherwise have accommodated, have been brought to Buffalo. The stadium is also available for outdoor plays, concerts, etc. Taking its place is Clearwater Reservoir, also built by WPA and roofed over with a concrete platform to provide a much needed auto parking space.”
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WPA Stadium Under Construction
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Buffalo NY, WPA Stadium
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Buffalo NY, WPA Stadium
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WPA Stadium Exterior
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NARA Photo caption reads “900 WPA workers building swimming pools, and new Roesch Stadium to seat 30,000 on the site of old Prospect Reservoir which will become 20 acres of stadium, swimming pools, wading pools, recreation park and playgrounds.” — WPA
WPA construction of War Memorial Stadium, pools, and recreation parks on the site of the old Prospect Reservoir
NARA Photo caption reads "900 WPA workers building swimming pools, and new Roesch Stadium to seat 30,000 on the site of old Prospect Reservoir which will become 20 acres of stadium, swimming pools, wading pools, recreation park and playgrounds." -- WPA
Source notes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Memorial_Stadium_%28Buffalo%29 National Archives and Records Administration, Negative 1515 National Archives; Record Group 69: Records of the Work Projects Administration; Entry 755: "Best Project" Reports, 1940; Box 2; New York State.
Project originally submitted by Evan Kalish on January 20, 2014.
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