Madison Square Garden (or The Garden as we like to call it) is synonymous with New York City sports and entertainment. Most people can remember the first event they attended there. Did you know that this is the 4th version of Madison Square Garden? Today, I want to focus on the 3rd iteration.

*Photo: Circa 1880 NYPL Digital Archives*

The first Madison Square Garden was located in an old train depot that held 10,000 spectators on 26th Street and Madison Avenue. It was in use from 1879 to 1890.

*Photo: Circa 1900 NYPL Digital Archives*

The second edition, which was a grand architectural masterpiece designed by Stanford White, was the second tallest building in New York City at the time. In 1925 the New York Life Insurance Company, which held the mortgage on the Garden, decided to demolish it and build their headquarters. Just like the first MSG, the second was also unprofitable.

The third iteration of the Garden may be the least glamorous and often overlooked, but it is rich in historical significance. Built in 1925 by boxing promoter Tex Rickard and nicknamed “The House That Rex Built,” it was situated on 8th Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets. Its simple, boxy design—resembling a large auto shop—might explain why it doesn’t receive as much attention as its more famous counterparts.

It was known mainly for its boxing matches, but Tex Rickards was awarded an NHL franchise in 1926 that got dubbed… “Tex’s Rangers” which would quickly change names to the New York Rangers. The circus performed as often as three times a day during the era of the third Garden, frequently displacing the Rangers from their home during playoff season.

*This is not the first game played, but it's a great shot. - Photo: NYPL Digital Archives*

The venue hosted its first professional basketball game on December 6, 1925, featuring a matchup between the Celtics and the Washington Palace Five. The New York Knicks made their debut there in 1946.

As a cyclist I find it very cool that from 1925 to 1961, MSG was the home of the Six Days of New York, an annual track cycling event. At the time of its final edition, it was the longest-running series of its kind in the world, boasting an impressive 73 editions.

Did you know that In May 1962, Madison Square Garden hosted President John F. Kennedy's birthday celebration, where Marilyn Monroe famously sang "Happy Birthday, Mr. President"?

In 1960, the Pennsylvania Railroad announced the sale of their air rights to the Madison Square Garden Corporation, allowing for the construction of a new arena to replace the original Penn Station building (which I’ll discuss in more detail another time). The corporation had aimed to replace the arena as early as 1946, citing poor sight lines from the upper decks.

After its demolition in 1969, the site remained a parking lot until David Childs of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill designed and opened Worldwide Plaza, which still stands today. In fact, my good friend Maura owns a condo there!

So the next time you're walking up 8th Avenue and cross 49th and 50th Streets, take a moment to appreciate all the major events that took place there when it was the third iteration of Madison Square Garden!

Madison Square Garden III

The Chrysler Building