Also known as the Old Red Barn, Olympia Stadium was the largest rink in the United States when it opened in Detroit on October 22,1927. Robert Wimmer has compiled over 200 historic photographs and detailed captions for this new book, that follows the life of a sporting and entertainment landmark in the Motor City until its demolition in 1986. For over half a century, the Olympia Stadium hosted many of the top shows and stars coming through Detroit. The historic landmark filled its seats for the multitude of sporting events in Michigan, including championship boxing, wrestling, and lacrosse, and was also the home of the Detroit Redwings and the Pistons. Although there are many anonymous people pictured here who contributed to the history of the stadium, readers will recognize the more familiar faces and acts of Elvis Presley, the Beatles, the Roy Rogers Rodeo, Dick the Bruiser, and many others.
Combined with photographs of the neighborhood surrounding the stadium, this book is a collection of images and memories of the people who worked at the Olympia and attended the events held there. Robert Wimmer is one of the original rink rats who has spent many hours at the Old Red Barn, collecting hundreds of photographs. He is a retired schoolteacher, a photographer for the Red Wings as well as and multiple sports publications, and currently freelances sports features.