War Memorial Stadium, Stadium in Buffalo, US
War Memorial Stadium, also known as "The Rockpile", was a sports stadium in Buffalo, New York, used mainly for football, baseball, and soccer. The brick structure featured large stands and a natural grass field, set in a busy part of the city with open views around it.
The stadium opened in 1937 as part of a government construction program, first called Roesch Memorial Stadium, then Grover Cleveland Stadium, and later Civic Stadium. It was renovated several times over the decades but had fallen into disrepair by its final event in 1989, after which it was demolished.
The nickname "The Rockpile" came from the rough look of the old brick structure, and it stuck with fans for decades. The stadium drew crowds for college teams like Canisius and Buffalo, as well as professional football and baseball games.
Today the site holds a newer sports pavilion named after Johnnie B. Wiley, and parts of the old entrances are still visible. The flagpole from center field was relocated to a nearby field and can be seen during a visit to the area.
During early auto races held on the oval track, drivers had to leave the raceway to change tires because the course was too tight for pit stops. This made the stadium one of the few sports venues in the country to host both NASCAR-style racing and team sports.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
