Dorton Arena

Dorton Arena
Paraboleum
J.S. Dorton Arena
Map
Former namesState Fair Arena (1952–1961)
LocationNorth Carolina State Fairgrounds
1025 Blue Ridge Road
Raleigh, North Carolina
OwnerState of North Carolina
OperatorState of North Carolina
Capacity5,110 – Arena Football and Hockey
7,610 – Basketball
SurfaceIce, Concrete, Hardwood
Construction
Opened1952
ArchitectMaciej Nowicki, William Henley Dietrick
Tenants
Carolina Cougars (ABA) (1969–1974)
Raleigh Bullfrogs (GBA) (1991–1992)
Raleigh IceCaps (ECHL) (1991–1998)
Raleigh Cougars (USBL) (1997–1999)
Raleigh Rebels (AIFL) (2005–2006)
Carolina Rollergirls (WFTDA) (2006–present)
Triangle Torch (AIF/SIF) (2016–2017)
J. S. Dorton Arena
Dorton Arena is located in North Carolina
Dorton Arena
Dorton Arena is located in the United States
Dorton Arena
LocationNorth Carolina State Fairgrounds, W. Hillsborough St., Raleigh, North Carolina
Coordinates35°47′37″N 78°42′36″W / 35.79361°N 78.71000°W / 35.79361; -78.71000
Built1953
ArchitectNowicki, Matthew, et al.; Muirhead, William, Construction
NRHP reference No.73001375 [1]
Added to NRHPApril 11, 1973

J. S. Dorton Arena is a 7,610-seat multi-purpose arena located in Raleigh, North Carolina, on the grounds of the North Carolina State Fair. It opened in 1952.

Architect Maciej Nowicki of the North Carolina State University Department of Architecture was killed in an airplane crash before the construction phase. Local architect William Henley Dietrick supervised the completion of the arena using Nowicki's innovative design. Said design features a steel cable supported saddle-shaped roof in tension, held up by parabolic concrete arches in compression. The arches cross about 20 feet above ground level and continue underground, where their ends are held together by more steel cables in tension. The outer walls of the arena support next to no weight at all.

Dorton Arena was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on April 11, 1973.[1] Originally named the "State Fair Arena", it was dedicated to Dr. J. S. Dorton, former North Carolina State Fair manager, in 1961.[2]

In the past, it has hosted many sporting events, concerts, political rallies and circuses.

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ Survey and Planning Unit Staff (August 1972). "J.S. Dorton Arena" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places - Nomination and Inventory. North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office. Retrieved 2015-05-01.