HOUSTON – The Astrodome, a beloved landmark in Houston, holds a special place in the hearts of Houstonians.
Since its debut on April 9, 1965, as the world’s first multi-purpose, domed sports stadium, it has hosted numerous baseball, football, and basketball games.
Peet BigHorse, a Houston native, fondly recalls watching the Astrodome being built from his rooftop as a child.
“When I was a little kid, we used to go sit on the roof to watch fireworks on the 4th of July and on New Year’s. We would sit on top of the house a lot. We realized when they were building the Astrodome, we could see it being built from our rooftop,” Peet explained.
Peet said his family would go on their rooftop often, having picnics and enjoying seeing the Astrodome be built.
“It was fun,” Peet said. “We could also go to the end of our street, and there was a big field, and we could see across and see the Astrodome, even though we were three miles away, it was so big we could see it.”
Peet visited his first football and baseball games at the Astrodome. He also said, growing up, several Astros and Oiler players lived on his treat so he would visit their homes to go trick or treating and other special events.
After the Astrodome was condemned in 2009, Peet and his wife, Georgiana, were among the first in line when the decision was made to sell Astrodome memorabilia in 2013.
“There was a whole bunch of people standing in line and we just walked through the Astrodome and they had memorabilia, and some baseball players, and of course, Orbit,” Georgiana said.
The couple said they couldn’t resist buying some of the iconic seats, which now proudly adorn their renovated backyard.
“Fun to have them,” Georgiana said. “People ask about them all the time, so it’s fun to have them.”
The orange Astrodome seats have become a conversation starter for the BigHorse family and have even made an appearance on the first episode of KPRC 2′s “Take a Seat” initiative.
This show focuses on the future of Houston and aims to engage in meaningful conversations.
This week’s focus will be on what’s next for the Astrodome since Houstonians are eager to know what will happen to this historic venue.
“We really want what’s best for everybody. I mean, all of Harris County, you know, the Rodeo, the Texans, all the events,” Peet said. “We just want what’s best for everyone. You know, everyone has their ideas of what’s best, but it’s really hard to say. We just don’t want to just sit there.”
What do you think should happen to the Astrodome? Drop a comment and let us know.