Around the same time that San Antonio was unveiling the Hemisfair, another Texas city was opening up a landmark that looked like something out of a science fiction film. Now after almost 60 years residents in Fort Worth will soon be saying farewell to the Fort Worth Convention Center and its flying saucer-shaped arena as the city plans to demolish and rebuild a modernized facility to the tune of $701 million.
The City of Fort Worth is hosting a final farewell to the convention center arena on September 20, and Texans from all over are invited to send photos they took during the arena’s 58-year history. If you’re unfamiliar with the arena’s notable moments, here are a few highlights.
Renderings for the renovated Fort Worth Convention Center. (Courtesy of the City of Fort Worth)
The San Antonio Spurs were originally founded as the Dallas Chaparrals, but during the 1970-71 ABA season they rebranded as the Texas Chaparrals and played their games at the Fort Worth Convention Center (then known as the Tarrant County Coliseum). The experience was short-lived, but the arena would go on to host teams from the Central Hockey League, Arena Football League, and NBA G League, among others.
The Olympic Torch also passed in front of the stadium on its way to Los Angeles ahead of the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Olympic torch passes in front of the Fort Worth Convention Center ahead of the 1984 Summer Olympics. (Courtesy of the City of Fort Worth)
Music was by far the biggest draw for the arena. Elvis Presley, Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Eagles, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley and the Bee Gees all performed in Fort Worth. Paul McCartney and Wings kicked off the North American leg of their Wings over the World Tour at the arena in 1976, while the likes of BTS played there as recently as 2018.
Elvis performing at the Fort Worth Convention Center in 1976. (Courtesy of the City of Fort Worth)
Paul McCartney and Wings performing at the Fort Worth Convention Center in 1976. (Courtesy of the City of Fort Worth)
Fort Worth Convention Center. (Courtesy of the City of Fort Worth)
To share your memories of the Fort Worth Convention Center arena, submit your photos here.
This article originally published at Elvis, Wings once sang at this iconic Texas venue, now it’s being demolished.