Imagine screaming fans, the roar of engines, and the thrill of a rodeo. All these events have found a home within the walls of the Freeman Coliseum. This versatile venue stands as a testament to San Antonio’s diverse entertainment scene.
The Freeman Coliseum’s story began in 1948. Construction started in January of that year. Joe and Harry Freeman, local philanthropists, dreamt of a multi-purpose coliseum. They envisioned a place for livestock expositions and youth events. The Bexar County Coliseum opened its doors in 1949. It quickly became a community hub for sports and events.
The Coliseum boasted an impressive design. Poured concrete stands and a steel framework provided a sturdy structure. A $250000 roof covering dome made of fireproof gypsum planks topped the building. Inside, the arena featured a large asphalt floor. Its ceiling soared 77 feet high. The Freeman Coliseum had 6500 permanent seats and 244 boxes. This allowed for a seating capacity of 8000 initially. Seating could expand when the arena floor was used.
In 1950, the first San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo was held here. Over a quarter of a million visitors flocked to the event. For decades, the rodeo was a primary source of revenue for the Freeman Coliseum. Horse shows, dog shows, cattle auctions, and furniture auctions added to its diverse offerings.
But the Freeman Coliseum was more than just a venue for agricultural events. It also hosted concerts. Lawrence Welk and Roy Rogers graced its stage. On October 14, 1956, Elvis Presley performed his last show in Texas here. Two performances captivated audiences. The San Antonio News anticipated the excitement. They wrote that Elvis would leave fans something to remember. He gifted fan club presidents a shirt and tie.
The Coliseum continued to evolve. It was renamed the Joe Freeman Coliseum by 1959. In the 1960s, the venue hosted home shows and automotive shows. Holiday on Ice, the Harlem Globetrotters, and the Policeman’s Benefit Ball entertained crowds. Major rock concerts arrived in the 1970s with KISS and Rod Stewart.
Significant changes came in the late 1970s and mid-1980s. Air conditioning was installed for year-round comfort. Seating capacity expanded to accommodate more events. Chairs from the Hemisfair Arena replaced the original wooden ones.
By 1986, the venue became the Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum. The WWF’s Tuesday in Texas in 1991 and the Survivor Series in 1994 brought professional wrestling to the arena. San Antonio’s first hockey team, the Iguanas, played here.
Even today, the Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum remains a vital part of San Antonio. Although the main rodeo event moved to the Frost Bank Center in 2003, the Coliseum still hosts vendors and other rodeo-related activities.
The Freeman Coliseum stands as a landmark. It has evolved with the times. From rodeos to rock concerts, it is a place where memories are made. The Coliseum continues to serve the community. It provides a space for entertainment and events for all.