Advertised as “the South’s largest, finest roller rink,” this multi-purpose facility served as a roller skating rink, ball room, sports arena and entertainment center from circa 1914 until 1968. It was at the time the largest and most popular indoor arena and entertainment center in town, providing decades of fun and popularity. Tony Sudekum, founder of the Crescent Amusement Company, owned the Hippodrome for most of its history. There were big-band dances in the late 1940s that included such famous acts as Benny Goodman, Xavier Cugat, Harry James and Sonny Dunham. Earlier, during the Depression years, there were walk-a-thons. Circa 1934, the Nashville Tennessean newspaper sponsored the city’s first Golden Gloves boxing tournament at the Hippodrome, a very popular event that continued for the next thirty years. During World War II, the Hippodrome served as a USO facility where many soldiers enjoyed the social events and refreshments.
