A Brief History Of LA's Dodger Stadium (2024)

Warm summer air, the smell of hot dogs in the distance, and a nice cold beer in your hand all set to the soothing sounds of 50,000 people cheering. This magic can only mean one thing: it’s baseball season. If you’re celebrating America’s pastime in Los Angeles, the scene for this outstanding game is set in Dodger Stadium. It can be easy to forget while watching the Dodgers in the quest to a World Series title, that the stadium the team calls home has a long history itself. This herculean marvel set among the Elysian Hills almost didn’t even happen. Grab some peanuts and crackerjacks and take yourself out to the history of Dodger Stadium.

A Brief History Of LA's Dodger Stadium (1)

The history of the stadium starts with Dodger president Walter O’Malley in Brooklyn, New York, in 1957. O’Malley was campaigning for a new stadium to be built in New York for his Brooklyn baseball team. After terms could not be agreed upon, O’Malley made the unprecedented move to California. O’Malley’s vision for a baseball park happened to align with Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn looking to scout potential teams for Los Angeles, since the city didn’t have a major league sports team of its own. One of those teams was the Brooklyn Dodgers. Owner O’Malley struck a deal with Los Angeles officials, acquired the minor league Los Angeles Angels and its small ballpark with the promise of a new stadium to be built on land from the Chavez Ravine.

Back in Los Angeles, things were changing in the constantly expanding city, especially the acquisition of land. The Chavez Ravine had undergone a slew of changes over several decades displacing many residents. During the 1950s, as a result of the Federal Housing Act of 1949, the location of the stadium was originally commissioned to be turned into a housing project. The land was originally going to hold housing units, schools, and a college.

Before construction was set to begin, the political climate changed with the election of Norris Poulson as mayor in 1953. The city purchased the Chavez Ravine back from the Federal Housing Authority for a reduced rate under the agreement that the land be used to benefit the public. On June 3, 1958, Los Angeles voters approved a ‘Taxpayers Committee for Yes on Baseball’ referendum, and the Dodgers were able to acquire 352 acres of the Ravine. During construction from 1958-1961, the team played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

A Brief History Of LA's Dodger Stadium (2)

Dodger Stadium was the first Major League Baseball stadium since the original Yankee Stadium to be built entirely on private financing. Building the colossal stadium in the Elysian Hills just a few miles from downtown was no easy feat given the challenging terrain. Construction began on September 17, 1959. The stadium was designed in part by O’Malley and by the New York-based architect and civil engineer Emil Praeger with some support of Los Angeles-based Edward Fickett. The stadium was designed so each entry was at a grade from the Top Deck down to the Field Level seats. The style and color, which were due to Fickett, gave the building the uniquely Southern California 1960s ‘modern’ style.

In terms of construction, they had to move mountains. Over the course of the three-year building construction, workers shifted eight million cubic yards of earth and rock once known at the Stone Quarry Hills. Modern-day technology such as earthmovers flattened hills and dug through the rough terrain. At the highest point of 726 feet, referred to as Mount Lookout or Silverwood Hill, they severed the peak and carved an amphitheater into the mountainside to serve as the stadium’s foundation. The work only increased from there. The construction of the 124-foot grandstand required 40,000 cubic yards of concrete, 78 precast frames, and over 13 million pounds of reinforced steel. Many old buildings and structures were affected by the erection of the impressive stadium into the hillside. A local elementary school (Palo Verde) was literally buried and still sits beneath the parking lot northwest of third base. The stadium was also designed to be expandable to 85,000 seats, but that has never been pursued. In the end, the total cost of the stadium was in the ballpark of $23 million.

A Brief History Of LA's Dodger Stadium (3)

The park opened on schedule on April 10, 1962 to 52,564 fans who came to marvel at the stadium and watch the first game. To this day, it is the third oldest continually used park in all of Major League Baseball and is known as one of the most picturesque places to play. The hard work payed off, creating views that overlooked downtown LA to the south and the San Gabriel mountains to the north.

The Dodgers have gone on to win four World Championships, and the park has hosted eight World Series. The park has also seen a number of perfect games, no hitters, and musical performances such as The Beatles, Michael Jackson, and Elton John. Dodger Stadium continues to be an immaculate ballpark that has undergone renovations to usher the park into the modern world with updated seating, WIFI, and a new scoreboard over the years. The stadium has an incredible ability to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of Los Angeles and new technologies, but remains true to its traditional roots as one of America’s oldest ballparks. Much like the Chavez Ravine, Dodger Stadium will weather any changes, remain a home for the Dodgers, and a beautiful part of the Los Angeles landscape.

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A Brief History Of LA's Dodger Stadium (2024)

FAQs

A Brief History Of LA's Dodger Stadium? ›

Dodger Stadium is a baseball stadium in the Elysian Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It is the ballpark for Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers. Opened in 1962, it was constructed in less than three years at a cost of US$23 million (US$232 million in 2023).

What is the history of the Dodgers stadium? ›

Since opening its gates, Dodger Stadium has hosted 10 World Series and the Dodgers have won five World Championships (1963, 1965, 1981 and 1988, 2020), 11 NL pennants (1963, 1965, 1966, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1988, 2017, 2020), 19 NL Western Division crowns (1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1995, 2004, 2008, ...

What is the dark history of Dodger Stadium? ›

The Dodgers and their stadium are the pride of Los Angeles. But there's a dark history to the site. In order for Dodger Stadium to be built, the city of Los Angeles took homes from 1800 Mexican-American families and destroyed three vibrant neighborhoods.

What are some facts about the Los Angeles Dodgers? ›

The team has won seven World Series titles and 24 NL pennants. Founded in 1883, the Dodgers were originally based in Brooklyn, New York, and were known as the Atlantics. The team joined the American Association in 1884 and won the league pennant in 1889.

Where did the Dodgers play when they first moved to LA? ›

After 68 seasons in Brooklyn, Dodgers owner and president Walter O'Malley relocated the franchise to Los Angeles before the 1958 season. The team played their first four seasons at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum before moving to their current home of Dodger Stadium in 1962.

What stolen land was Dodgers Stadium built on? ›

Known today as Chavez Ravine, the 315 acres of land between the San Gabriel Mountains and downtown Los Angeles were once home to three predominantly Mexican American neighborhoods: Palo Verde, La Loma and Bishop.

Why is Dodger Stadium important to California? ›

Dodgers Stadium is an LA institution and a historic landmark. It has been home to some of baseball's greatest moments and has hosted some of the biggest names in music over the years. If you're a resident of Los Angeles, or even if you're just visiting, be sure to check out this iconic piece of LA history.

What happened before the Dodgers Stadium was built? ›

By 1958, the public housing plans were abandoned and the land was conveyed by the city to the Dodgers. The new plans were advanced to construct Dodger Stadium on the site, and in 1959, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department forcefully removed the last residents occupying Chavez Ravine.

Why is it called Dodgers? ›

According to the club, the name originated in 1896 as the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers. Heavy construction of electric trolley tracks in front of Eastern Park caused fans to dodge the trolleys to reach the park. Those fans became known as Trolley Dodgers and the team took on the name, which was shortened to Dodgers.

What is the 76 at Dodger Stadium? ›

The 76 ball is also a landmark at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, where the only gas station on the premises of a major league ballpark is visible from the park beyond the outfield stands. The gas station is no longer active and has been converted into an event space.

Who owns the LA Dodgers? ›

Mark Walter, Chairman

He is the chairman and controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. A business leader who continues to set new standards, Walter is engaged in areas that include financial services, insurance, sports, media, fashion, energy, infrastructure and real estate.

Why did Dodgers move to LA? ›

Since the early part of the decade, O'Malley had wanted to build a more modern stadium for his ballclub in Brooklyn. New York officials were unable to come up with a suitable site. On October 8, 1957, O'Malley announced that after 68 seasons in Brooklyn, the Dodgers would be moving to Los Angeles.

What is the LA Dodgers worth? ›

The Los Angeles Dodgers' valuation of US$5.45 billion meant they surpassed US$5 billion for the first time. The Boston Red Sox saw no change in value, remaining in third place at US$4.5 billion. The Chicago Cubs (US$4.22 billion) and the San Francisco Giants (US$3.8 billion) rounded off the top five.

Who brought the Dodgers to LA? ›

Story as originally published. Roz Wyman, who spent a lifetime devoted to serving the Democratic Party, passed away on October 26, 2022. It took a 22-year-old with leadership, courage and vision to encourage the Brooklyn Dodgers to come to Los Angeles.

What did Dodgers Stadium used to be called? ›

During the years when the expansion Los Angeles Angels were tenants of the Dodgers (1962 through 1965), the Angels referred to the stadium as "Chavez Ravine Stadium" or simply "Chavez Ravine". Los Angeles City Council designated the property as "Dodgertown" in October 2008.

What are some fun facts about the Dodgers stadium? ›

The Los Angeles Angels rented from the Dodgers from 1962 through 1965, before moving to Anaheim Stadium. The Angels called the ballpark Chavez Ravine Stadium. Over five million people have seen a game in Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers have won four World Series while playing in the stadium, in 1963, 1965, 1981 and 1988.

What is the oldest baseball stadium? ›

The oldest ballpark is Fenway Park in Boston, home of the Boston Red Sox, which opened in 1912. The newest stadium is Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, home of the Texas Rangers, which opened in 2020.

What was discovered near what is now Dodger Stadium in 1892? ›

In 1892, oil was discovered near what is now Dodger Stadium. 3. By 1923, Los Angeles produced one quarter of the world's oil. It still sits atop the third largest oil field in the country!

What were the Dodgers originally called? ›

The club, however, lists its beginning in 1884 as the Grays (for the color of their uniform), the city name of Brooklyn or the Church City Nine (Brooklyn was known as the Church City). According to the club, the name originated in 1896 as the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers.

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