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Overview

Construction of the Stanford Stadium, originally seating 60,000, began on 06/01/1921 and finished an amazing four months later on 10/01/1921. Its capacity was adjusted eight times between 1921 and 1992, the last time creating a venue seating 85,500. A large increase occurred between 1921 and 1927, when it was increased from 60,000 to 89,000.

Building History

This first 85,500-seat was created from an earthen bowl. Wooden plank seats were later replaced with aluminum benches for seating. This first stadium cost $200,000 to construct. Ticket booths lined Sam MacDonald Mall, housed in low stucco buildings. A track ringed the football field, distancing fans from the football field, somewhat.

A notice in the Architect and Engineer of 12/1920 that simultaneously announced Stanford's plans to build a new 60,000-seat stadium and campaigned for a comparable one to be built at the school's rival, the University of California, Berkeley (UCB): "Stanford University trustees have authorized construction of a $750,000 concrete stadium to accommodate 60,000 people. Messrs. Bakewell & Brown, architect for the University, will prepare plans. The University of California needs a stadium as badly as Stanford, as evidenced when thousands were turned away from the big Thanksgiving football game. Here would be a splendid opportunity for some wealthy Californian, philanthropically inclined, to perpetuate his name for many years to come, by building a stadium and making a gift of it to the University." (See "Stadium for Stanford University," Architect and Engineer, Vol. LXIII, no. 3, 12/1920, p. 113.)

Demolition

This first Stanford Stadium was demolished in 2005.

PCAD id: 8144