Hockey History

Hamilton's first and only home to an NHL franchise
Opened in 1913, the Barton Street Arena was home to hockey for over 60 years

Here’s some action in a game between Hamilton Police and Firefighters at the Forum in 1953. Note the lack of protection for the players and the spectators. Hamilton Public Library, Spectator Special Collections.

Forum seating around 1948. Note the roof support at right, which not only hindered viewing, it was also a threat to the players on the ice. Photo courtesy of the Hamilton Spectator

At the turn of the 20th Century, most hockey was played on open-air rinks, which left no creature comforts for either the players or fans.

During the years before World War I, enclosed arenas were built not only to house the games, but were used for other community events. During the winter hockey season, the rinks would be flooded and the artificial ice would be used.

While the National Hockey League was finding its way and establishing its six main teams in the 1920s, Hamilton was a part of the NHL with the Hamilton Tigers franchise in the mid 1920s.

And the short-lived team played in what was considered one of the finest facilities at the time, the Alerts' Rink, eventually to be known as the Barton Street Arena.

The city's first indoor ice palace was constructed in 1912, and officially opened January 8, 1913. About 1000 residents took to the ice for public skating.

A few nights later the host team won an 8-4 contest over the visiting Welland squad, and hockey in Hamilton was underway.

The original structure was the brainchild of Dr. Leeming Carter, and construction started in the spring of 1912 after several years of preparation. By the end of 1920, the Abso-Pure Ice Company, which was situated behind the arena on Bristol Street, was touting a "new arena" for fans and teams.

The Forum was used not only for hockey, but concerts, circuses, and the ever-popular wrestling. Here’s a shot of Whipper Billy Watson and Gene Kiniski giving the fans something to cheer about. Note the absence of ropes around the ring. Photo courtesy of the Hamilton Spectator

The arena was not new, it was just the 1912 building updated and expanded somewhat. The refurbished facility was reported to be second to none.

"Toronto's big Mutual Street Arena hasn't anything that the Barton Street building can't boast of," said an article in the Hamilton Herald. "And no longer will Queen Street fans be able to josh them about their 'barn'."

With new lighting and heating equipment, the updated building could house 4500 fans, with overflow areas holding up to 7000. After its opening in November of 1920, an NHL game was held in December, and seat prices ranged from 80 cents to $2.25.

The building was a hit with hockey people.

"Representatives of the National Hockey Association, the new Canadian Hockey Association, and of various hockey clubs in several portions of the province have pronounced it one of the finest buildings of its kind ever erected," commented the Herald.

While the arena was home to Hamilton's only NHL club, the Tigers, in the mid 1920s, franchise owner Percy Thompson, along with local businessman Andrew Ross, who had a hand in the original facility continued to operate the arena after the Tigers' short stay in Hamilton, who were gone to New York City after the 1925 season.

So while major league hockey went on to bigger (and obviously) better venues, and several factions promised a grand arena in the hopes of acquiring an NHL franchise, the Barton Street Arena continued to host minor hockey, along with other non-hockey events such as trade shows, conventions, and wrestling for the next several decades.

While the facility was praised in its early years, the arena became known as one of the worst places to watch a hockey game due to the support columns inside which severely restricted watching the game, both in person and for television broadcasts. The ice surface, which at one time was hailed as one of the largest at 80 by 200 feet, was just too small in later years.

When local media businessman Kenneth Soble bought the facility in 1953, he spend a lot of time and money trying to improve both the building's interior and exterior, and although he succeeded in several areas, the support columns still obstructed viewing. Soble said later that if he knew how much of a challenge he faced, and he had been provided with a commitment from the city for much-needed car parking, he would have torn down the then 40-year old building and erected a new one.

But the building, now known as the Forum, remained a focal point of Hamilton hockey and other events for the next several decades, finally demolished in the summer of 1976.

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