Photo Source: VikingsDigitalDiaries
It wasn't that long ago that the Pontiac Silverdome was home to the NFL's Detroit Lions; 14 years ago to be exact. The Lions began playing at Ford Field in downtown Detroit in September of 2002. The Lions had been playing in suburban Pontiac, MI since 1975 and the move to Ford Field in 2002 was motivated by a number of things. Firstly, Lions ownership had the desire to own their home stadium outright. They also wanted more club and luxury seating installed at their new home, something that the Silverdome did not adequately provide. There was also some encouragement from the city to bring commerce and crowds back to downtown Detroit.
The Silverdome remained open for four more years and closed in 2006. It reopened in 2010 under new ownership but would close three years later in 2013. It was then that the famous roof collapsed and the stadium fell into even further neglect. We have provided a compilation of eerie photos from around the web of the current state of the now abandoned Silverdome.
Photo Source: DetroitUrbex
The view from one of the old locker room tunnels leading onto the field. The Silverdome hosted events such as a mass led by the Pope, Elvis' final stadium concert, Wrestlemania, the Super Bowl, an NBA All-Star game and numerous NCAA basketball tournaments.
Photo Source: ClickOnDetroit
Toronto based Triple Investment Group had plans to attract a Major League Soccer team to Detroit and for the team to call the Silverdome their home. Those plans never came to fruition. Major League Soccer as it turned out preferred smaller, more intimate venues in central downtown areas.
Photo Source: ViralForest
One of the old luxury club areas on the stadium's upper level. Most of the stadium's contents including seats, signs, etc. were sold at auction.
Photo Source: UrbexPlayground
Remnants of the old white roofing of the Pontiac Silverdome. The roof collapsed in January of 2013 due to the stadium's air support being turned off along with the accumulation of snow.
Photo Source: DetroitUrbex
A view of one of the many flooded and neglected concourses of the Silverdome.
Photo Source: MLSSoccer
The dark and eerie visitors' locker room beneath the Silverdome.
Photo Source: MLSSoccer
The view from the field facing one of the end zones as bits and pieces of the roof lay scattered all over the stadium. A snowstorm collapsed the roof in January, 2013 but a windstorm weeks later is what tore the roof to shreds. The Silverdome is now open-aired with no roof in place. These photos are heartbreaking and are living proof of the throwaway culture we live in. The Detroit Tigers also ditched the old Tiger Stadium around the same time which has since been completely demolished. Next up on the city's agenda is a plan to bring the NBA's Detroit Pistons downtown and to share a brand new arena with the NHL's Detroit Red Wings. Both Joe Louis Arena and the Palace of Auburn Hills could soon meet similar demises as the Silverdome.
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