Cincinnati Gardens was demolished leaving many Cincinnatians heartbroken. You see, we have a deep pride in our city and the historic buildings that line our streets. We love sharing our city’s favorite historic structures, many of which have been repurposed and restored for new use today. Unfortunately, we cannot save all of the iconic buildings in Cincinnati, and that became very apparent this week with the demolition of Cincinnati Gardens. We knew it was coming, but it is still sad to see this 67-year-old legacy reduced to rubble to make way for a new life in the manufacturing world. If you grew up in Cincinnati, then this building likely holds many memories of the incredible events that took place inside. So take a step back in time and relive these fond memories that our city has of one of the best venues near me.

Cincinnati Gardens opened its doors in 1949 and at the time, the 25,000-square-foot venue was the seventh largest in the nation.
The Cincinnati Gardens/Facebook
The very first event was an exhibition hockey game, which is appropriate given the number of hockey games that would eventually take place in the Gardens.
Over the next nearly 70 years, the best venue in Cincinnati would host countless sporting events, concerts, circuses, and other exciting shows.
Flickr/5chw4r7z
While it may not be the most beautiful historic building in our city, Cincinnati has always had a fond place in its heart for this venue and has been holding its breath the past several years as rumors swirled of a sale and the end of an era.
In 2016, it looked like a sale would finally go through and this past week it became really official as the walls were knocked down.
Photo Courtesy of Brandon Wiley/@capthowdy1027
While we may not be able to visit one of the best venues in Ohio anymore, we can take a look back through photos of the incredible memories Cincinnatians have of this historic venue.
Jonathan Haeber/flickr
Many concerts were held inside Cincinnati Gardens and in fact, some of the biggest acts in history performed on its stage.
The Cincinnati Gardens/Facebook
On Aug. 27, 1964, The Beatles gave an unforgettable, sold-out concert.
The Cincinnati Gardens/Facebook
Beatlemania hit Cincinnati hard and many locals still remember this once-in-a-lifetime performance.
There was not an empty seat inside Cincinnati Gardens for what might have been the most exciting night in the history of the venue.
The Cincinnati Gardens/Facebook
Although over the next few years, The Rolling Stones, Diana Ross and The Supremes, and the Jackson 5 all took the stage at Cincinnati Gardens, so you can understand its icon status.

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Another memorable visit to the Gardens actually performed twice — once in 1971 and again in 1973.
True Fans Of Elvis To Presley/Facebook
The King himself, Elvis Presley, performed two memorable concerts. And then later in the 80s, George Thorogood & The Destroyers recorded their live album at Cincinnati Gardens, and Bon Jovi also paid this venue a visit.
Roy Orbison even performed at Cincinnati Gardens on April 23, 1976.
David Shoenfelt, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Sports have always been a big deal at Cincinnati Gardens, and not just ice hockey.
Los Angeles Daily News, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Cincinnati Royals, our city's former NBA team, played here from 1957 through 1972. The NBA All-Star game was even hosted here in 1966. This shot is of Ezzard Charles (left) covering up after an attack by his opponent, Nick Barone during their boxing match on Dec. 5, 1950, at the Cincinnati Garden.
When most people think of Cincinnati Gardens, hockey is one of the first things that comes to mind. The venue was home to a number of teams throughout its life.
The Cincinnati Gardens/Facebook
Cincinnati's first hockey team — the Mohawks, played here from 1949 through 1958. But many locals have fond memories of attending games played by both the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks and the Cincinnati Cyclones.
More recently, the sports scene changed a bit as Cincinnati Gardens was home to the Cincinnati Rollergirls.
Flickr/5chw4r7z
Along with the entertaining roller derby, the Gardens also hosted a number of Monster Jams, Professional Wrestling, indoor football and soccer, boxing, and rodeos.
There are also many childhood memories of visiting Cincinnati Gardens each year for the circus.
Cincinnati Shrine Circus/Facebook
The Cincinnati Gardens/Facebook
Especially now that the circus isn't as easy to see, these memories are much more special. The Shriner Circus was held here until just a few years ago, and you can actually still see this particular event at the BB&T Arena on the campus of NKU.
When you think of all of the incredible events that took place inside the walls of Cincinnati Gardens, it makes it a little more difficult to watch those walls come down.
Rick Dikeman, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
But we'll hold on tight to those memories and continue to share our favorite moments at this historic Cincinnati venue.

Cincinnati Gardens lives on through the lovely memories of those who took part in the events there which they share on a Facebook page. Are you sad to see this icon go? We’d love to hear about your favorite memory.  Share with us in the comments below!

And if you like the idea of historic Cincinnati buildings with lots of memories — and maybe a few ghosts, check out the fascinating story of the Cincinnati Music Hall. Book a tour of this cool city and discover other memories it keeps.

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More to Explore

Gardens In Ohio

Carolyn Harmon | May 09, 2024

What are some of the best gardens in Ohio?

  • Schedel Arboretum (Elmore): Here folks can visit the 17-acre gardens and the Blair Museum of Lithophanes. Enjoy the unusual and exotic species of trees and more than 10,000 annual plants and flowers at this impressive place.
  • Beech Creek Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve (Alliance): Children ages four to six can enjoy the Wonder Walks featuring special discovery stops and fun activities along the trail. They also come with a craft and a delicious snack.
  • Wegerzyn Gardens (Dayton): The 10 formal gardens, a nature trail, a Swamp Forest boardwalk, and a children's area are bordered by the lovely Stillwater River.

Where are some of the best state parks in Ohio?

  • Scioto Trail State Park (Chillicothe): The 218 wooded acres offer camping, fishing, and paddling. A small, unguarded-wading beach is open near the campground, and three scenic areas offer picnicking opportunities, complete with tables and grills.
  • Blue Rock State Park (Blue Rock): Ohio's bedrock materials provide beautiful scenery on this 322-acre property. These can be traced back millions of years and were deposited by the sea, including limestone, shale, and sandstone.
  • Harrison Lake State Park (Fayette): Enjoy disc golf, fishing, and paddling on the 142 forested acres. About 3.5 miles of hiking trails feature the park's scenic lakeshore and woodlands.
  • Oak Point State Park (Put-In-Bay): This tiny park is only 1.5 acres but offers gorgeous views of the lake, especially at sunrise and sunset. A popular place for boaters and anglers, a shelterhouse offers a perfect place to picnic.

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