The Original Boston Garden

[jordb2k5]

I have a question for some people that were around during the era of the old Boston Garden.  Real quick I'm a lifelong fan I just live in Texas but I watch every game ever year.  I even saw the old garden when I was really young one summer.  Does anyone feel like if they could have a do-over on this that they would just try to renovate the arena?  If I remember I think I heard that MSG is going through an expensive remodel to keep it updated. 

We had so much history with that first arena and it is great that we won a title in the new arena maybe it's silly but I wish they still had the old place.  I'm just curious if it was in that bad of shape that it couldn't be salvaged or was their other reasons?  When will this lockout end....

[Donoghus]

I have a question for some people that were around during the era of the old Boston Garden.  Real quick I'm a lifelong fan I just live in Texas but I watch every game ever year.  I even saw the old garden when I was really young one summer.  Does anyone feel like if they could have a do-over on this that they would just try to renovate the arena?  If I remember I think I heard that MSG is going through an expensive remodel to keep it updated. 

We had so much history with that first arena and it is great that we won a title in the new arena maybe it's silly but I wish they still had the old place.  I'm just curious if it was in that bad of shape that it couldn't be salvaged or was their other reasons?  When will this lockout end....

That place was in pretty awful shape and lacked every modern amenity that most arenas in the 80s and early 90s had. 

My guess is the cost of renovation of the Boston Garden would have dwarfed what it cost to build the current place.  They would've almost had to start from scratch regarding the renovation. 

[Redz]

Not only was it old and falling apart, but it was awkwardly designed with a bazillion obstructed seats etc...It wouldhave been really tough to bring that place up to date with modern amenities etc...

Lots of great memories there, but it was definitely time for it to go.

[Donoghus]

Not only was it old and falling apart, but it was awkwardly designed with a bazillion obstructed seats etc...It wouldhave been really tough to bring that place up to date with modern amenities etc...

Lots of great memories there, but it was definitely time for it to go.

Yeah, the place wasn't even designed with basketball in mind.  It was really built for boxing as crazy as that sounds these days.   

[celts55]

Ah what the heck, I'm old. I loved the old garden and I would be very happy if the Celtics were still playing there. It was like they were playing in a gym. I loved that it didn't have A/C and the crappy obstructed view seats. So, you moved and stood somewhere to watch the game.
All I know is back than you didn't have all the suits down low, most of whom are only there because some company gave them the tickets. The only music was the organ and when the crown was on their feet thoughout an entire time out, it wasn't because the jumbotron told them to make noice. I loved the idea that Red wouldn't turn the heat on in the visitors locker room and the dead spots on the parquet floor. I miss the way the balcony would shake when the crowd was really rocking. Hell, I even miss the rats that used to run around on the ramps.
To be prefectly honest, I have never liked the new garden since the day they built it. I don't like how bright it is, I don't like the blairing music every time out, I don't like the people on the jumbotron, I don't like the dancers.
Come to think of it, I guess that's why I don't go anymore and watch the games on TV.
I guess my wife is right, I'm kind of curmudgeonly.

[thirstyboots18]

Ah what the heck, I'm old. I loved the old garden and I would be very happy if the Celtics were still playing there. It was like they were playing in a gym. I loved that it didn't have A/C and the crappy obstructed view seats. So, you moved and stood somewhere to watch the game.
All I know is back than you didn't have all the suits down low, most of whom are only there because some company gave them the tickets. The only music was the organ and when the crown was on their feet thoughout an entire time out, it wasn't because the jumbotron told them to make noice. I loved the idea that Red wouldn't turn the heat on in the visitors locker room and the dead spots on the parquet floor. I miss the way the balcony would shake when the crowd was really rocking. Hell, I even miss the rats that used to run around on the ramps.
To be prefectly honest, I have never liked the new garden since the day they built it. I don't like how bright it is, I don't like the blairing music every time out, I don't like the people on the jumbotron, I don't like the dancers.
Come to think of it, I guess that's why I don't go anymore and watch the games on TV.
I guess my wife is right, I'm kind of curmudgeonly.

I loved the old garden, too.  The pigeons in the rafters.  Getting obstructed seats and, if you were lucky, scouting some emties in the loge and sneaking down, or pulling out the binoculars so you can see "who is who".  But really the reason I have never been to the new Garden is because we moved to Florida 15 years ago (and I try not to be in New England in the winter, ha ha).  With high def tv it is almost like being there, but with the added benefit that your own kitchen is available.

[csfansince60s]

Ah what the heck, I'm old. I loved the old garden and I would be very happy if the Celtics were still playing there. It was like they were playing in a gym. I loved that it didn't have A/C and the crappy obstructed view seats. So, you moved and stood somewhere to watch the game.
All I know is back than you didn't have all the suits down low, most of whom are only there because some company gave them the tickets. The only music was the organ and when the crown was on their feet thoughout an entire time out, it wasn't because the jumbotron told them to make noice. I loved the idea that Red wouldn't turn the heat on in the visitors locker room and the dead spots on the parquet floor. I miss the way the balcony would shake when the crowd was really rocking. Hell, I even miss the rats that used to run around on the ramps.
To be prefectly honest, I have never liked the new garden since the day they built it. I don't like how bright it is, I don't like the blairing music every time out, I don't like the people on the jumbotron, I don't like the dancers.
Come to think of it, I guess that's why I don't go anymore and watch the games on TV.
I guess my wife is right, I'm kind of curmudgeonly.

I loved the old garden, too.  The pigeons in the rafters.  Getting obstructed seats and, if you were lucky, scouting some emties in the loge and sneaking down, or pulling out the binoculars so you can see "who is who".  But really the reason I have never been to the new Garden is because we moved to Florida 15 years ago (and I try not to be in New England in the winter, ha ha).  With high def tv it is almost like being there, but with the added benefit that your own kitchen is available.

I'm with you guys.

The intimacy of the old Gah-den was its greatest charm. When they built the new one they should have tried to somehow maintain that.

I had seasons from '79 to '90 in Sec 77, Row D seats 1 and 2. These seats were in the first balcony in the corner to the right of the Celts bench. While these were by no means close to the higher ends seats on or near the floor or the first balcony center, they were phenomenal seats for the price and far better and closer to the players and the floor than many premium seats are today.

From that first balcony overhang, you could look to the opposite side of the arena and see Red's seats clearly just to the right of the central entrance-way to the floor opposite the Celts bench. He often had dignitaries, basketball luminaries and mostly Celtics greats sharing his seats. No hideaway luxury boxes. You were so close that you felt being almost part of the game.

Some seats are so far away now, you almost need binoculars. The obstructed views in the old place were better than that.

I miss the old place with all its idiosyncrasies. That added to its charm.

[jambr380]

I loved the old garden and I have wonderful childhood memories there, but I don't know, maybe it's better to fondly look back on those memories than to still have the place around. The Fleet Center / TD Garden is hardly the best of the best when it comes to new arenas, but the environment is certainly more comfortable, even if it isn't as much of an experience.

[Celtics18]

I saw a couple of games at the old garden, but don't remember it well enough to miss it.  I just remember all the ****' huge columns in the way wherever we were ever able to afford seats. 

The new place has certainly been able to build itself up some memories, and the best atmosphere that I ever personally witnessed at a live Celtics game was when I got up to TD North (the name is really unfortunate) for a playoff game against the Hawks in '08. 

Save the funky, old gyms for college and high school.

[Redz]

Man, I thought I was a sentimental kinda guy, but jeez, really?  You guys would still rather see a game there?

I don't like the general circus atmosphere stimuli fest at the new place, but I've been in the cheap seats there, and been able to see the action just fine while sitting in fairly comfy seats. 

I have fantastic memories of the old Garden, but it was time for a new place. 

[WBrownTrophy]

There is no way the old Garden would ever have been a good idea to keep around from a business perspective.
- it would be one of the smallest capacity major sports arenas in the country
- don't forget the arena is not just for basketball
- many would argue that it was really the Bruins arena and the Celtics happened to play there too (I don't believe this, but many relate it to hockey, as Boston was a hockey town for so long)...and the lack of updates/AC caused terrible ice conditions for the Bruins
- There would also be power outages that disrupted games

The memories are great, but it had to go

[thirstyboots18]

The old Garden had reached it's time.  But it was fun catching either the Train, or the subway to the garden...fun while being being frustating.  Everyone complained, but at the same time, you felt part of something bigger...

Fenway Park is small compared to most ballparks, but it is beautiful, and will be missed if (when) it  is finally  replaced.  History is worth remembering even though bringing it back  might not be quite so much...

[Q_FBE]

I  miss the old Garden, and have been to the new North Station and The north side of downtown looks great without the SE expressway eyesore. So I carry all those memories of Cowens, Jo Jo, Havlicek, Bird, Parish, and Mchale and those games with the 76ers.

And Johnny Most calling out those Celtics games as only Johnny Most could, tell that to the miserable Detriot media.

[thirstyboots18]

I  miss the old Garden, and have been to the new North Station and The north side of downtown looks great without the SE expressway eyesore. So I carry all those memories of Cowens, Jo Jo, Havlicek, Bird, Parish, and Mchale and those games with the 76ers.

And Johnny Most calling out those Celtics games as only Johnny Most could, tell that to the miserable Detriot media.

It does seem strange to me that I miss Johnny Most most of all...more than the place,  more than the players.  It was his voice that brought the magic and excitement to me for all those years, and got me hooked on "his" Celtics, who could do no wrong.   

[Redz]

CSN had a nice replay of the `86 playoff game vs the Bulls where Jordan scored 63 and lost in double OT.  Interviews with Tommy, Mike and Ainge cutting in during the action.  Some quality Garden scenes there and I love the old TV fonts from that era.