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The Taj Mahal of Sport: the Creation of the Houston Astrodome, 1957-1967

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The Taj Mahal of Sport: the Creation of the Houston Astrodome, 1957-1967 Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Retrospective Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 2004 The aT j Mahal of sport: the creation of the Houston Astrodome, 1957-1967 Jason Bruce Chrystal Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd Part of the Leisure Studies Commons, Recreation Business Commons, and the United States History Commons Recommended Citation Chrystal, Jason Bruce, "The aT j Mahal of sport: the creation of the Houston Astrodome, 1957-1967 " (2004). Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 767. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/767 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Retrospective Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Taj Mahal of sport: The creation of the Houston Astrodome, 1957-1967 by Jason Bruce Chrystal A dissertation submitted to the graduate faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Major: History of Technology and Science Program of Study Committee: Alan I Marcus, Major Professor Amy S. Bix George T. McJimsey Hamilton Cravens Richard N. Kottman Iowa State University Ames, Iowa 2004 Copyright© Jason Bruce Chrystal, 2004. All rights reserved. UMI Number: 3136300 Copyright 2004 by Chrystal, Jason Bruce All rights reserved. INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI UMI Microform 3136300 Copyright 2004 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 ii Graduate College Iowa State University This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation of Jason Bruce Chrystal has met the dissertation requirements of Iowa State University Signature was redacted for privacy. ajor Professor Signature was redacted for privacy. For the Major Program iii For Lora Leigh, iv TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER 2. THE NEXT BIG LEAGUE CITY 15 CHAPTER 3. FINDING THE "CRACKER JACK" LOCATION 46 CHAPTER 4. MORE MONEY, MORE BONDS 90 CHAPTER 5. DESIGNED TO BE THE BIGGEST AND THE BEST 128 CHAPTER 6. LAWYERS, GUNS, AND MONEY 155 CHAPTER 7. THIRD TIME THE CHARM 200 CHAPTER 8. BUILDING THE DOME 226 CHAPTER 9. DOMESDAY 266 CHAPTER 10. THE ASTRO-DOOMED STADIUM 297 CHAPTER 11. CONCLUSION 334 BIBLIOGRAPHY 343 1 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION This dissertation explores the creation of the Houston Astrodome, the first domed stadium built in the United States, from its earliest history of planning in the late 1950s to its construction and completion in the mid-1960s. It is during the time frame of 1957 to 1967,1 argue, that we can see an example of the change in Houston and American society from one of an era of optimism and prosperity to one of pessimism and scarcity. By examining the arguments of stadium supporters and opponents, the alterations in design, the selection of certain technologies, and the changing opinion of what the stadium was to various individuals, we can obtain a clearer picture not just of Houston or Texas, but also of the United States. Although the histories of baseball and football are important to the story, the Astrodome was conceived as more than just a sports stadium. In an era of ebullient optimism, Houston leaders championed a multiple purpose stadium that could house an almost infinite number of civic events. Even better to these stadium enthusiasts, a domed stadium would symbolize the vigor of Houston and obliterate the perceived stigma of the city as merely an oil town. As America emerged from World War H, it entered into a new era of confidence and optimism. Historian Carl N. Degler stated that the postwar years in America were an "era of greatest abundance."^ Never before in its history had the United States witnessed such abundance, growth and prosperity. As wartime demand stimulated the nation's industrial production, America emerged wealthier and prepared for postwar reconstruction. With the 1 Carl N. Degler, Abundance and Anxiety: America, J945-1960 (Wcstport, Connecticut: Praeger, 1997), 124- 148, quotes 147; David Q. Vaigt, Baseball: An Illustrated History (University Park: The Pennsylvania State 2 devastation of both Europe and Asia, America's gross national product ballooned 250 percent from 1945 to 1960. Individually, Americans witnessed the growth of their personal income too, from $3,083 to $5,657, and were "better off than at any time in the nation's history." Although returning soldiers threatened the miniscule unemployment rate, the G. I. Bill of Rights enticed many men into America's colleges and universities while helping subsidize their housing. With greater earning potential and more money, they could spend their wealth on consumer products like private homes, television sets, and automobiles. With more money in their pockets and more time on their hands, Americans in the Fifties could pursue more activities in a "leisure society." Historian W. J. Rorabaugh agreed with Degler's opinion of the postwar years and asserted that this "was a promising time," and Americans, in general, were "hopeful and optimistic." After perceiving that they won the war, Americans could welcome and relish the "peace abroad and prosperity at home," complete with "future national bounty that accommodated both private luxury and public expenditure."^ Similarly, Americans perceived that their science and technology won the war. America's victory "reaffirmed America's technological strength." Historian Thomas P. Hughes labeled this perception "technological enthusiasm." This faith in America's science and technology did not end with the war, but continued into the 1950s and early 1960s. Despite the apparent advances of the Soviet Union and the rise of the Cold War, American science, technology, and industry promised to tackle and defeat the spread of communism. The federal government extended contracts to private industry and universities that would University Press. 1987), 219-223; Gerald D. Nash, The American West Transformed: The Impact of the Second World War (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1985), 201-216. 2 W. J. Rorabaugh, Kennedy and the Promise of the Sixties (Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2002), ix; J. Ronald Oakley, God's Coimfry; America in f&g fï/Wes (New York: Dembner Books, 1986), 228- 229. Oakley also provides a brief account of leisure pursuits, 249-266. 3 prevent the spread of communism by creating "a worldwide era of plenty" and transform "the world in the United States' image." Essentially, the United State would "engineer a new world order" that it would also guided The "space race" between the Soviet Union and the United States demonstrated the America's optimism in its science and technology. After the Soviets launched /on 4 October 1957 (and 7/ a month later), the popular perception was that all of America became anxious, fearful, and depressed as their faith in American superiority was shaken. President John F. Kennedy's decision to send a man on the moon, announced to Congress on 25 May 1961, affirmed his faith that the US could accomplish the difficult task of a lunar landing, despite the financial costs. During his "second inaugural," Kennedy announced to the members of Congress, "I believe we possess all the resources and talents necessary" to take more active measures for the exploration of space, particularly a manned space flight to the moon and back. Kennedy explained that the work and financial cost would be great for the nation. But Kennedy also affirmed his faith and confidence that America would achieve space success and lead the entire world. Besides, the President would add later, the hard work and cost of sending a man to the moon would only benefit the nation in terms of increasing international prestige, advancing science and technology, strengthening the economy, and even increasing the standard of living. Other proponents used a similar argument to support the space program on its potential "spill-over" effect. This "spin-off" or technology transfer 3 Alan I Marcus and Howard Segal, Technology in America: A Brief History (Forth Worth: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1999), 253-260; Thomas P. Hughes, American Gewjw. A CenAffy qf/mwUion and Technological Enthusiasm (New York: Penguin Books, 1989), 1-12. Hughes, however, failed to delve deeper into this decline. One study takes Hughes to task for this inadequacy. See Lester Louis Poehner, Jr., The future's not what it used to he: The decline of technological enthusiasm in America, 1957-1970 (Ph.D. dissertation, Iowa State University, 2000). I disagree with Poehncr's assessment that this decline began in the late 1950s, but see it occurring during the mid 1960s. 4 would strengthen the economy, solve social ailments, and generate general progress. Dr. Hugh L. Dryden, the Deputy Administrator of NASA, expressed his confidence that science and technology would spill-over from the space program to the rest of society. "The influence of the technical progress," he told the members of the Senate's Appropriation Committee in 1961, "will be felt throughout or economy..." and "will be adaptable to a host of other uses." This almost inevitable "technological progress" would permeate throughout American society from new technological applications in industry to new goods for the average American/ During the war, Houston had played a vital role in the national defense, aided by the massive influx of federal money.
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