9,487
edits
Changes
no edit summary
[[Image:MunicipalAuditorium1974.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The Municipal Auditorium in 1974]]
'''Bayfront Auditorium''' (known as the '''Pensacola Municipal Auditorium''' until [[1988]]) was a building that sat for fifty years at the foot of [[Palafox Street]], overlooking [[Pensacola Bay]]. It was demolished in [[2005]].
Planning for the auditorium was begun in the early 1950s. The development faced early opposition from the [[Saenger Theatre]]'s owners and others who questioned "the right of the city to levy amusement taxes which would tax the theatres for the construction of a competitive business."<ref>"Saenger Continues Fight On Pensacola Auditorium." ''Boxoffice'', July 14, 1951.</ref>
The Municipal Auditorium was built for $820,000 and dedicated on [[February 8]], [[1955]]. The [[Pensacola High School]] band played at the dedication ceremony and was the first group to perform there. The [[Wikipedia:Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra|Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra]] was the first major concert a month later, to a crowd of about 2,000.<ref name="landmark">"Landmark brought many greats." ''Pensacola News Journal'', October 18, 1999.</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Demolished structures]]
[[Category:Music venues]]