On the day the Cincinnati Gardens was sold to the Port Authority I reflected on the millions of lives touched by the Gardens and I began to realize its historic and cultural significance. I thought about how nice it would be for Gardens management to facilitate a farewell celebration. My marketing mind kicked in gear as I theorized that many people would be interested in an opportunity to visit the Gardens, one last time, before the building was razed.
I envisioned a fundraiser, perhaps to benefit the Shriners Childrens Hospital. Over a two week period guided group tours of the Gardens would be offered to the general public. Folks would be taken behind the scenes to see the ice tunnel, the equipment rooms and learn how the ice was made. The excursion would include a walk though the locker rooms and a visit to the "spooky "press box located in the heights of the arena. Along the way the group would learn some lesser known facts about the Gardens and its history. The tour would end with a souvenir box of popcorn.
I further fantasized a laser light show that would turn the western exterior brick wall of Gardens into a canvas of dazzling lights and color( think BLINK or Lumenocity). The Gardens finale would be a gala event featuring appearances by entertainers and celebrities that had a connection to the Gardens. I was pumped up with ideas, one that included the presentation of an award to Jerry Robinson for giving the Gardens a second life and 37 more years of memories.
The next morning I couldn't wait to present my ideas to Ken Robinson, Jerry's eldest son. I spoke by phone with Ken first thing and before I got the first thought out of my mouth Ken gave me the shocking news - The Port Authority showed up at the Gardens, ordered the staff out of the building and padlocked the doors. I could hardly believe it.
I don't know how or why, but the agreement for the sale of the Gardens did not contain any provision for holdover. Gardens management believed they had a period of 30 days to vacate the building. (not an illogical conclusion since the Port Authority's plan was to do nothing but demolish the structure the following year) Although much of the work in and around the arena area was complete, the Gardens was also the corporate office for the Robinson's family business concerns and their move had not yet begun. The functioning business office occupied several thousand square feet of space above the Garden's lobby. It was chalk full of desks, chairs, cabinets and office equipment. I can attest that much had accumulated during their 35 years of occupancy.
The management of the Port Authority took a hard-line position and from my perspective did the least possible to accommodate the Robinson family and Gardens staff. The final days at the Gardens felt like a supervised eviction. It was a bitter ending for the remaining staff many who spent most of their working life at the Gardens.
It wasn't long before the Port Authority fenced the property and the Gardens sat empty, dark and desolate. Demolition was expected in the early months of 2017, but that didn't happen. By the fall of the year, the shuttered building appeared ragged, worn and dilapidated. In December, 2017 the Gardens lost its identity when the porcelain letters were removed from the front facade. Shortly thereafter, the limestone sculptures flanking the front entrance were removed. Finally, in 2018 O'Rourke Wrecking began their work and on March 22nd at approximately 4:30pm the roof of the Gardens crashed to the ground marking the conclusion of its swan song. It was a sad ending for the Cincinnati Landmark that so many of us took for granted. What could have been, wasn't, but what was... was a wonderful piece of Americana and a lifetime of memories that will continue with us.
On March 23, 2018 I posted a three minute video to Youtube and Facebook titled "The Cincinnati Gardens; A Lifetime of Memories." Response to the video was tremendous. It was shared by over 1,200 people and viewed by tens of thousands. The many comments on social media affirmed the strong bond between the people and the Cincinnati Gardens. Marvin Vest was the first to comment on Facebook and summed it up best, "Goodbye old Friend."
A Lifetime of Memories
This makes me want to cry 😢, I have so many awesome memories from here .. Heck ... I pretty much grew up there :( Stephanie Hager on Facebook
Watching this video, I can actually smell The Gardens. Great times! Brad Bortz, on Facebook
Was there so many times. Took my little brother Michael (I miss you) to a all day and night concert. He was about 10. We had a blast. 1968 I believe. Judy Lee on Facebook
Don and I had our first date at Cincinnati Gardens 45 years ago. When we met, his dad was a Shriner so we went to the Shrine Circus . We will be married 44 years this June so I guess you could say it was a good first date. Deborah Reichert Mertens on Facebook
It was dang sure fun to have had a hand in the history of one of North America's most storied venues. Our bull riding even made the highlight reel. Ronnie Lee Osterholt on Facebook
Loved this place... this is where my ice skating career started - - - and ended. :-) They haven't saved much in Cinti, but they sure as hell should have saved this!!! Sharon Merz on Facebook
Loved this place... this is where my ice skating career started - - - and ended. :-) They haven't saved much in Cinti, but they sure as hell should have saved this!!! Sharon Merz on Facebook
Caught Cyclones fever there. I remember weekend games would be sold out. Hanging out after the game and when players came out of the locker room you where able to talk with them and get autographs. Gardens was the best place to watch a game. David B. Fuhrman on Facebook
Anyone remember the Cincinnati Mohawks hockey team? I had a crush on a player.... Lou Marcon. He was so handsome w/ curly black hair & a slightly French accent. But, he looked funny when he didn't have his partial dentures in his mouth. Seems it was typical for hockey players to lose a lot of teeth for some reason.... LOL Roxie Held on Facebook
I was born 3 years before the Gardens, a lifetime of "firsts" was shared & remembered from there. I'm one of the lucky ones, I'm gonna miss that grand old place, Aj Bud Esterkamp on Facebook
Some my best memories growing up were here wit my mom! I remember w8'n on street in back the gardens for TNA wrestling to let out & my son n I were w8'n to see who we could meet & get autographs from, & the garden being the garden, we met almost everyone & got to talk to some the best... sad day to see this place gone. Mark Stockman on Facebook
I worked at the gardens for over 30 years as a ticket taker. this was good memories and also sad. Benny Clary on Facebook
My high school graduation was held there. Those upper seats were scary steep! Vicki Abbott on Facebook
20 years ago my very first singing job was at the Cincinnati Gardens. I sang the National Anthem for an Enquirer sponsored soccer game. I worked at the Enquirer at the time and my boss asked me to do it. I said, omg I cannot do that and he said, I’ve heard you sing, I think you can do it. I said, you heard me singing into a Corona bottle at the bar after work. He was right, though, I could do it and I still sing it about 6 times a year. Thanks, Brad. Amy McFarland on Facebook
It was a great place I will miss it. Use to watch wrestling matches years ago!!! John O'Connor on Facebook
Saw the Cincinnati Royals beat the Boston Celtics 111-101...it was my first NBA game...i was just a little kid...a family from LUDLOW, Aligs, took Johnny and I... Bill Morgan on Facebook
My childhood is officially coming down. Been going there since I was little. RIP Cincinnati Mighty Ducks! #Quack Andrew Eikens on Facebook
My husband and I were married at the Gardens, on the ice during a Mighty Ducks game, on October 27, 2001. We have our wedding puck, still to this day. Buster the Duck was in a tux. Our reception was in the owner's box. We have lots of memories there, from hockey games, to concerts, and Shriners' circus (my husband is a Shriner). We are very saddened to see it demolished. Angela Liggett via email
Buckeye friends...our beloved Cincinnati Gardens is no more. Such great memories of our Buckeye competitions at the Gardens. Thank you to everyone who helped make our competitions there a success! CincySkate Jeff on Facebook
The last time I was there, it was the shrine circus with my kids school. Eric Lamont on Facebook
My Dad and I used to see the rasslin' matches here when I was just a pudgy little Jeffy. We used to go here ALL THE TIME! Dad liked to be close to the action, we were usually ringside. My Dad was anything but an extrovert, typically a very quiet man, especially in a crowd, but there was something magical about this place. He would come out of his comfort zone, just a little. I don't know if it was the excitement of the matches, the crowd, or just caught up in the spectacle of everything around us, but I really don't care what it was. I went on that ride with him over and over and over again in that building. So, to me it will ALWAYS be more than just a structure, it is magical place where a young boy could make a special life-long connection with his father. Jeffy King on Facebook
Alice Cooper was the first concert I ever went to. I was 13 years old. My friends grandpa, who worked at GM, drove us in his brand new 1972 Monte Carlo. Bright red, black vinyl roof, black interior. My friend is still my friend from so many years ago. Creek Billy on Facebook
Parents taking us to the circus, walking there after school to ice skate, watching the Harlem Globetrotters, playing in the pep band at a Cincinnati Stingers game, Not being allowed to go see Alice Cooper in concert, all the Norwood Graduation Ceremonies there, my siblings, mine, being an honor guard or playing Pomp and Circumstance in band for other NHS Graduates.. Cincinnati Gardens, I will miss you. Wilson Hatterman on Facebook
I saw Evel Knievel 2 times, The Royals, The Globetrotter , Elvis and The band Yes, to name a few things I seen there, plus the circus, and a hockey game. Paula Scaggs on Facebook
WOW, how I remember ice skating everyday after school at the Gardens, it was during the 50's and I loved every minute I spent twirling on the ice...My mother made me the cutest short skating skirts......had many wonder times there as I lived with walking distance.......I am now in Florida but still think of the Cincinnati Gardens. Joyce Ann Waddell on Facebook
Coached, watched, and played so Many hockey games there. 1st as a kid , then as an adult. So much fun. Jim Breslin on Facebook
Ozzy Osbourne threw a bucket of water right in my face there. John Smith on Facebook
OMG.... this was my childhood home (away from home). Dad played for the @NBA #CincinnatiRoyals here & we lived down the street in Golf Manor. I understand progress and change... but this still makes me so sad. Cammy Dierking on Twitter
Gonna miss that place. Saw so many good bands there. One time, we couldn't scalp any tickets so we figured out a way to sneak in through the smoking area. That was a really good Dylan show! Mike Gregg on Facebook
Don’t let anyone ever tell you that there was a better place than this old barn to catch an event or watch hockey. Ronny Salerno on Twitter
I knew this place like the back of my hand. I even stayed here on two occasions through the night (waiting on the Ducks to come back from the road -- in Stuckey's equipment room). It got CREEPY, I can tell you that. Wa Holmes on Facebook
I covered the Dayton Dunbar vs. Hamilton Taft (featuring Kevin Grevey) tournament game there for the Journal-News...the famous beer bottle incident...a night to remember, or forget if you will. Rex Richardson on Facebook
I remember going to Disney on Parade. The big finale was Peter Pan getting shot out of a cannon at one end of the floor, then grabbing/landing on top of a pole at other end. As they were shoving him into the cannon, I looked over at the pole and saw another performer in the same Peter Pan costume climbing to the top. My six year old heart was broken when I realized I had been swindled into believing Peter Pan had actually been shot out of a cannon and landed on that pole. Philip Wayne Gee on Facebook
Remember USAC midget racing there and the barrel of monkeys that were at one race. Anyone else remember that? Bill Marvel on Facebook
I hated playing there, I just had some sort of mental block on it for some reason, but that's nothing against the facility just me not being a good enough Hockey player to play well there. Bill Geyer on Facebook
My best memories were watching Cyclones games and Xavier basketball games as a kid. . I really liked the smell of the place too, it was entirely unique. When I was about ten during the CAHA house league tournaments, my friend and I used to explore the entire place, it was pretty cool, we'd get lost for hours in there. I think that's what I miss most. Chris Rankin on Facebook
I was in a local band and performed at the WSAI Teenage Fair in the Gardens Annex. I was a police officer and after 1974 worked details at the Gardens....Big Time Wrestling, NWA Wrestling, Shrine Circus, Monster Jam, Rodeo's, Roller Derby, Mighty Ducks, Cyclones, Cincinnati Swords, XU Basketball including the Crosstown Shootout and many many concerts. It was a fun run. Lenny Carbonia via email
Loved ice skating at the annex. I remember once when the Ice Show was in town and we had been skating in the annex, the show let out and as we were leaving, a group of little kids along with their parents saw us with our ice skates and the kids ran up to us and asked all of group for our autographs. We just took in the moment and signed a lot of autographs that day and the kids were happy. Nancy Harper Beeker on Facebook
When I was a kid, for a few years, I played in The Boy Scout Band. Every year there was a big Boy Scout show at the Gardens, so as a member of the band, my friends and I got to spend several days there, wandering around the Gardens backstage until it was time to perform. Marc O'Hara on Facebook
It's really disappointing to see this happen to a great place. Especially since this is where I started hockey at. This old barn will always be in my heart! Noah Lane on Facebook
