700 East Lakeshore Drive

The Portage Lakes are remembered as the first professional hockey team, which was a part of the International Hockey League. The original Amphidrome was built in 1902 to house the Portage Lakes’ games. The very first game held there was on December 29, 1902, where the Portage Lakes beat the University of Toronto with a final score of 13 to 2. The Amphidrome was constructed of wood and was heated by steam and lit by electricity. Three quarters of the building was used as the ice rink and the remaining quarter was split into two floors. The first floor contained the heater and electric motors and the second floor had a hall with a stage. At the west end of the building, a grand castle facade was constructed.

The Old Amphidrome burned down in 1927 and the New Amphidrome was constructed in its place that year. The stadium was constructed out of a steel frame and contained steam heat, electric lighting, and a concrete floor. The three quarters used as the ice rink remained the same and the remaining quarter was still split into two floors. However this time, the first floor was the lobby and the second was a dance hall. In 1943, Michigan Tech bought the New Amphidrome and named the Dee Stadium, after James Dee, who had built the Old Amphidrome.

Michigan Tech retained ownership of the Dee Stadium until 1974, when the City of Houghton began operating the building. In 1988, the City of Houghton officially purchased the Dee Stadium and has retained ownership since.

Source: Residential Assessment Record (unknown year) from the MTU Archives; Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historic Center State Site No. 690. 2006 marker; Faust, J. & Gehrcke, B. (2000) Building Histories and Descriptions. Report prepared for SS 422 History of American Architecture at Michigan Technological University; Image: University Archives and Historical Collections No. MTU_MS042-005-053-417_Amphidrome_1920