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Hollywood Legion Stadium, 1628 El Centro Avenue, was a popular boxing and wrestling arena owned and operated by the Hollywood American Legion Post 43. It started as an open-air boxing arena in 1921 and a roof was added later that year. The arena was torn down and rebuilt in 1938. Low attendance and competition from the Olympic Auditorium marked the end of the stadium. The last boxing and wrestling events were held there in September, 1959. The building became a bowling alley and later a gym. Today a plaque commemorates the site. Photograph caption dated March 24, 1960 reads "Famous Hollywood Legion Stadium, long the home of boxing, hit trail's end yesterday when ground was broken on its conversion to a bowling center. The man who fought the first main event in the arena, George Hansford, is shown holding air hammer at yesterday's ceremonies. Pictured, from left, are Dick Bonner, Hollywood Legion Post No. 43 Commander; Hansford; actress Coleen Gray and Valley Councilman Lemoine Blanchard."
Hansford, George Gray, Colleen,--1922-2015 Blanchard, Lemoine Hollywood Legion Stadium (Hollywood, Los Angeles, Calif.) American Legion.--Hollywood Post No. 43 (Los Angeles, Calif.) Boxers (Sports) Motion picture actors and actresses City council members Men Women Stadiums Bowling alleys--Design and construction Architectural drawings Jackhammers Ground breaking ceremonies Associations, institutions, etc Hollywood (Los Angeles, Calif.)
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