Duquesne Gardens
Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Stadiums Pittsburgh Duquesne Gardens

The Duquesne Gardens was the main sports arena located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, during the first half of the 20th century. Built in 1890, the building originally served as a trolley barn, before becoming a multi-purpose arena. The Gardens opened three years after a fire destroyed the city's prior sports arena, the Schenley Park Casino, in 1896. Over the years, the Gardens was the home arena of several of Pittsburgh's historic sports teams, such as ice hockey's Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Hornets. The Western Pennsylvania Hockey League, which was the first ice hockey league to openly hire and trade players, played all of its games at the Gardens. The arena was also the first hockey rink to ever use glass above the dasher boards. Developed locally by the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, Herculite glass was first tested in Pittsburgh. Most rinks were using wire mesh before the shatterproof glass was invented. Finally, the Pittsburgh Ironmen, a charter member of the Basketball Association of America (a forerunner of the National Basketball Association), played at the Gardens from 1946 to 1947. Outside team sports, the Duquesne Garden Ball Room, located on the arena's second floor, was also one of the largest dance halls in the country during the time.

The Duquesne Gardens was the main sports arena located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, during the first half of the 20th century. Built in 1890, the building originally served as a trolley barn, before becoming a multi-purpose arena. The Gardens opened three years after a fire destroyed the city's prior sports arena, the Schenley Park Casino, in 1896. Over the years, the Gardens was the home arena of several of Pittsburgh's historic sports teams, such as ice hockey's Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Hornets. The Western Pennsylvania Hockey League, which was the first ice hockey league to openly hire and trade players, played all of its games at the Gardens. The arena was also the first hockey rink to ever use glass above the dasher boards. Developed locally by the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, Herculite glass was first tested in Pittsburgh. Most rinks were using wire mesh before the shatterproof glass was invented. Finally, the Pittsburgh Ironmen, a charter member of the Basketball Association of America (a forerunner of the National Basketball Association), played at the Gardens from 1946 to 1947. Outside team sports, the Duquesne Garden Ball Room, located on the arena's second floor, was also one of the largest dance halls in the country during the time.

Arena Details

Name Duquesne Gardens

Style Enclosed Arena
Classic Architecture

Capacity 5,000

Location 110 North Craig Street
Pittsburgh, PA

Owner Christopher Lyman Magee

Links

Find stadium collectibles on eBay

Known As

Duquesne Gardens 1895‑2024

The Duquesne Traction Company (alternate)

The Arena (nickname)

Teams

Ironmen (BAA) 1947

Corbetts (WPBT) 1944-1947

Pirates (NBL) 1938-1945

Pirates (NHL) 1926-1930

Lyceum (WPHL) 1908-1909

Pirates (WPHL) 1908

Hockey Club (IHL) 1905-1907

Victorias (WPHL) 1903-1904

Keystones (WPHL) 1901-1904

Bankers (WPHL) 1900-1909

Athletic Club (WPHL) 1899-1909

Duquesne (WPHL) 1899-1909

F i l t e r & S o r t

Arena Details

Name Duquesne Gardens

Style Enclosed Arena
Classic Architecture

Capacity 5,000

Location 110 North Craig Street
Pittsburgh, PA

Owner Christopher Lyman Magee

Links

Find stadium collectibles on eBay

Known As

Duquesne Gardens 1895‑2024

The Duquesne Traction Company (alternate)

The Arena (nickname)

Teams

Ironmen (BAA) 1947

Corbetts (WPBT) 1944-1947

Pirates (NBL) 1938-1945

Pirates (NHL) 1926-1930

Lyceum (WPHL) 1908-1909

Pirates (WPHL) 1908

Hockey Club (IHL) 1905-1907

Victorias (WPHL) 1903-1904

Keystones (WPHL) 1901-1904

Bankers (WPHL) 1900-1909

Athletic Club (WPHL) 1899-1909

Duquesne (WPHL) 1899-1909