Oldest Indoor Hockey Arena In Boston
Introduction
Boston is known for its love of sports, especially hockey. The city has a rich hockey history, and it all began with the construction of indoor hockey arenas. There are a few indoor hockey arenas in Boston, but none are older than the Boston Arena, which is also known as the Matthews Arena. The Boston Arena is located at the campus of Northeastern University, and it has a vast historical significance in the world of ice hockey. In this article, we will dive into the history of the oldest indoor hockey arena in Boston.
The Construction of Boston Arena
The Boston Arena, located at 238 St. Botolph St. in Boston, was first opened in 1910. The arena was built on the campus of Northeastern University, and it was designed by renowned architect, Henry Vaughn. The arena was initially known as the Boston Arena, but it was later renamed as the Matthews Arena after the Matthews family made a significant donation to the arena. The Matthews Arena has a capacity of 4,666 people, and it was the largest indoor ice hockey arena in the country at the time of its construction.
The Historical Significance of Boston Arena
The Boston Arena has a vast historical significance in the world of ice hockey. It was the first indoor ice hockey arena in the world, and it hosted the first-ever game played indoors. The game was played on December 31, 1899, between the Northeastern University and the Boston Athletic Association. The arena also hosted the first-ever game of the National Hockey League (NHL). The game was played between the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens on December 1, 1924. The arena was also the first-ever home of the Boston Bruins.
The Remodeling of Matthews Arena
The Matthews Arena underwent significant renovations in the 1970s, which included the addition of a new scoreboard and a new sound system. The arena also had its ice surface lowered by six feet to increase the capacity of the arena. The renovations helped the arena to maintain its status as one of the best indoor ice hockey arenas in the country.
Current Status of Matthews Arena
The Matthews Arena is no longer the home of the Boston Bruins, but it still hosts Northeastern University's ice hockey games. The arena has also been used for other purposes, such as concerts and political rallies. The Matthews Arena is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it is considered to be one of the most historic indoor ice hockey arenas in the world.
Conclusion
The Boston Arena, now known as the Matthews Arena, is the oldest indoor ice hockey arena in Boston. It has a vast historical significance in the world of ice hockey and has been the site of many notable events, including the first indoor ice hockey game and the first-ever game of the NHL. Today, the Matthews Arena still stands as a testament to Boston's rich hockey history and continues to be a popular venue for ice hockey games and other events.
