Remembering Sunnyside Gardens
The Sunnyside Garden Arena was a historic boxing and wrestling venue in Sunnyside, Queens, New York. Built in the 1920s, it was a private tennis club and carriage house before becoming a boxing and wrestling arena in 1947. The stadium could seat about 2,500 people and was known for its red brick exterior and distinctive clock above the entrance.
The Sunnyside Garden Arena hosted many famous boxers and wrestlers, including Floyd Patterson, Tony Canzoneri, Vito Antefuermo, Gerry Cooney, and Bruno Sammartino. It was also the site of political rallies, including visits by John F. Kennedy in 1960 and Robert F. Kennedy in 1964. The arena closed in 1977 and was demolished for a Wendy’s restaurant.
The Last Days Of Sunnyside Garden Arena
Promoter Mike Rosenberg purchased the venue in 1969, and subsequent owners followed after 1973 until it was demolished in 1977 to make way for a Wendy’s hamburger restaurant.
The last show at Sunnyside occurred on June 24, 1977, and the building was demolished in December of the same year.
The Felt Forum, now the Hulu Theater, opened along with the current Madison Square Garden in 1968, absorbing most of the remaining major boxing bouts in the city from the older, outdated boxing arenas.[15]
The Sunnyside Garden Arena featured boxing events, including many of the great boxers of the era and amateurs who competed in Golden Gloves tournaments.
More History of Sunnyside Gardens
