The Reliant Astrodome
The Astrodome is the former home of MLB's Houston Astros and the NFL's Houston Oilers.
Its last Astro game was on October 9, 1999.
The Astrodome, which was originally called Harris County Domed Stadium, first opened its doors in April 1965, and was known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." It was the first ballpark to have a roof over its playing field.
The Astrodome originally had real grass inside. Its first game, an exhibition pitting the New York Yankees against the Houston Astros, proved that the semitransparent panels in the roof made fly balls difficult to locate. The ceiling tiles were then painted. This, however, caused the grass to die. As a result, the installation of plastic grass known as Astroturf occurred.
Many fans do not realize that the playing field is 25 feet below street level.
It cost $35 million to build. A 1989 expansion cost $60 million.
The Astrodome hosted the 1968 and 1986 MLB All Star games.
WrestleMania X-Seven established a new all-time attendance record for the Astrodome, with 67,925 fans in attendance.
Nolan Ryan threw his fifth no-hitter in the Astrodome on September 26, 1981.
The Astrodome hosted the Repulican National Convention in 1992.