In 1966, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo made one of the most significant changes in its history - it moved from the cozy Sam Houston Coliseum to a place that seemed like a city in itself: the Astrodome. The first performance in the new Domed Stadium drew 25,340 spectators, and attendance for one performance even topped 40,000.....almost five times the number of people the Coliseum could hold.
Since that year, attendance in the Astrodome consistently toppled records. And in 1996, the Show celebrated its 30th anniversary in the Astrodome complex.
In addition to the Astrodome, two additional facilities were built to host this mammoth event - the Astrohall and the Astroarena. More than just a location for the Show, these buildings have had an immeasurable impact on this organization as well as the entire Houston community.
After building and paying for the Astrohall and Astroarena, the Show donated the facilities to the citizens of Harris County. These two buildings alone have helped attract almost 30 million people to the various sporting events, trade shows, expositions and hundreds of other activities since the Astrohall was built in 1966. Replacement costs for these buildings at today's prices would be between $115 million and $131 million.
Along with the tremendous growth of this event, the Astrohall and Astroarena also have undergone significant developments and changes.
1966
The Show built the Livestock Exposition Building (Astrohall).
1968
This 12-acre facility was expanded by four acres, providing more exhibit space and meeting rooms.
1973
Two additional acres were added, resulting in permanent administrative offices, meeting rooms and exhibit space as well as the Super Sale Salon (site of the junior market auctions and commercial animal sales until 1991).
1975
The 6,000-seat Astroarena was completed.
1980
More space was added to both the east and west ends of the Astrohall.
1983
The Show added acreage to the Astroarena in a partially funded project by the Houston Sports Association (now Astrodome USA) and Harris County. The sixth phase represented the first time that the Show does not totally fund construction of exhibition facilities.
1991
An additional 4.8 acres in the Astroarena resulted in committee volunteer meeting rooms, a club, a restaurant, auction arenas and additional space for commercial exhibits. Harris County shared the costs of this additional construction.
1995
Construction of a 40,920-square-foot warehouse addition was completed and donated to the citizens of Harris County. This facility stores the Show's entertainment stage, houses rodeo contestants' horses, provides a warm-up arena for rodeo contestants and serves as additional storage during the year.
1996
The Show celebrates 30 years at the Astrodome complex.
1999
The Harris County Commissioners Court approves the construction of a new exhibition facility on the north side of the Astrodome.
Harris County begins construction of new parking lots on the west side of Kirby Drive.
Houston becomes the home of the new NFL franchise, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo moves forward with Houston NFL Holdings and Harris County to build a new football/rodeo stadium. Click HERE to learn more about Reliant Stadium and Reliant Center.
2000
Groundbreaking ceremonies are held in March for the new 70,000 seat, retractable roof RODEOHOUSTON™/NFL stadium.
In June, groundbreaking ceremonies celebrate the beginning of construction for the 1.3-million-square-foot Harris County Exposition Center.
In October, Reliant Energy acquires naming rights for the Astrodomain, including the currently-under-construction stadium and exposition center. The renamed Reliant Park includes the Reliant Astrodome, Reliant Arena, Reliant Hall, Reliant Center and Reliant Stadium.
2002
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo personnel move into new Show offices on the second floor of the new Reliant Center.
Reliant Hall is demolished and the site paved for parking.
Reliant Stadium opens with the first Houston Texans pre-season NFL football game on August 24.
2003
The 71st Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo celebrates its first year in its new homes: Reliant Stadium and Reliant Center.
Carruth Plaza is completed at Reliant Park, creating a Western sculpture garden that is home to eight large-scale bronzes. The plaza is named in honor of Allen H. "Buddy" Carruth who was past president and past chairman of the board of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
