The Kingdome

The King County Domed Stadium was opened March 27, 1976 and called The Kingdome.

I went to the Billy Graham Crusade in the brand new Kingdome May 1976 with a friend from school. At 14 years-old, I was active at my home church but when they said we could go to the floor of the Kingdome for an altar call I decided I wanted to to do that so I could tour more of this giant stadium. I also went to a few Boat Shows and to countless Seattle Mariner baseball games there.  I recall in Junior high they would give us free tickets to Mariner games for being on Honor Roll. In 1978, The Kingdome was featured in one of my favorite TV shows at the time "Emergency" - the episode was titled "Most Deadly Passage" and I'd LOVE to see it again but I can't seem to figure out if it's on DVD.

The roof had problems since the beginning according to Wikipedia. In 1994 heavy tiles from the ceiling collapsed on to a seating area. The Kingdome needed to close for repairs. It reopened a little less than four months later with a cost of $51 million and the loss of life of two construction workers. Many were talking about its replacement. In 1999, Safeco field opened next door and The Seattle Mariners no longer played in the Kingdome.

Thirteen years ago today on March 26, 2000 the Kingdome was imploded to make room for the new Seahawk Stadium / Qwest Field / Century Link Field. It was pretty remarkable! Check out these two videos:





Enjoy these Kingdome postcards from my collection - a Seattle icon that is no more.


"King County Domed Stadium, Seattle" CT-886 "Covers 9.1 acres - 720 feet outside diameter - 250 feet to top of Dome - will seat 60,000 for baseball, 65,000 for football and 80,000 for personality shows. View as seen during construction in 1975, scheduled for completion in 1976." Pub. by Smith-Western Co., 1533 Broadway, Tacoma, Washington. Color by Kyle W. Smith ICS-106543


"King County Domed Stadium, Seattle, U. S. A." CT-996 "Dedicated March 27, 1976. This view shows a few of the 55,000 people who attended this gala event. The closed circuit television screen at top right is 49 feet X 65 feet. The stadium covers 9.1 acres - 250 feet to top of the dome - 720 feet outside diameter - will seat 60,000 for baseball, 65,000 for Seahawks Football and 80,000 for personality shows." Photo by Kyle W. Smith 10P309536

Just a note to mention that the Seattle Mariners are installing a new "Big Screen" at Safeco Field during the current off season - the one in the Kingdome was 65 feet wide the new Safeco one will be 201.5 feet wide.


"Seattle, Washington" Photo by Jack Leffler/Sky Eye. "Seattle, Washington - The Kingdome Stadium is a dominant feature south of the city's central business district." W-411


Kingdome - Seattle CT-994 "King County Domes (sic) Stadium Seattle, Washington. Covers 9.1 acres - 720 feet outside diameter - 250 feet to top of Dome - will seat 60,000 for baseball, 65,000 for football and 80,000 for personality shows. Dedicated March 27, 1976. Billy Graham Crusade May 9, 1976. Home of the NFL Seattle Sea-hawks - American League Baseball Seattle Mariners."


Seattle, Washington. night lights gild the Kingdome, home of the NFL Seattle Seahawks. Photo Walter J. Brown. CT-3505


Kingdome Stadium - Seattle, WA CT-2245 "King County Domed Stadium Seattle, Washington. Covers 9.1 acres - 720 feet outside diameter - 250 feet to top of Dome - will seat 60,000 for baseball, 65,000 for football and 80,000 for personality shows. Dedicated March 27, 1976. Home of the NFL Seattle Seahawks - American League Baseball Seattle Mariners."


CT-1477 "King County Domed Stadium Seattle, Washington. "Opened in 1976, this facility is the home of the NFL SEAHAWKS, AL MARINERS, NBA SONICS and the NASL SOUNDERS. The stadium covers 9.1 acres - 720 feet outside diameter - 250 feet to top of Dome - will seat 60,000 for baseball, 65,000 for football and soccer, 40,000 for basketball and 80,000 for personality shows."


Washington Picturecard CT-1573 "Kingdome, Seattle, Washington - Springtime view from Kobi Park. Opened in 1976, this facility is the home of the NFL SEAHAWKS, AL MARINERS, NBA SONICS and the NASL SOUNDERS. The stadium covers 9.1 acres - 720 feet outside diameter - 250 feet to top of Dome - will seat 60,000 for baseball, 65,000 for football and 80,000 for personality shows."


"Along Seattle, Washington's busy waterfront is Seattle's multi-purpose stadium, the Kingdome, with a maximum indoor seating capacity of 80,000. The stadium houses major sporting and entertainment events. Mt. Rainier (14,411 ft.) is on the horizon 90 miles away." Photo: David S. Curran.