The Voice of Christian Youth Rally at Olympia in 1948

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

Olympia ushers in 1953

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

A 1940 UAW rally at Olympia

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

A 1940 UAW rally at Olympia

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

A trade expo at Olympia

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

Tennis at Olympia in 1931

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

Skating at Olympia in 1935

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

Skating at Olympia in 1931

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

Skating at Olympia in the 1930s

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

The Olympia scoreboard over the ice in the 1950s

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

A rally for President Franklin D. Roosevelt at Olympia in 1944

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

Kid vs. Kid: Roger "Kid" Bernard beats Leo "Kid" Roy in 1930 at Olympia

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

A rodeo in 1938 at Olympia

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

A religious rally at Olympia

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

A pageant at Olympia in 1939

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

A detail of the Olympia's signage and one of its medallions

Photo from the Detroit Free Press archives

The Olympia in 1985, a year before it was demolished and about five years after it closed

Photo from the Detroit News archives

Olympia in 1980, after the Wings had moved out

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

Olympia in 1979, its final season

Photo from the Detroit News archives

Olympia in 1963

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

Olympia's marquee in 1962

Photo from the Detroit News archives

The Olympia

Photo from the Detroit News archives

Olympia's marquee in 1962

Photo from the Detroit News archives

Olympia in 1957

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

A crew prepares the ice at Olympia with the Red Wings famous winged wheel in 1956.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

Olympia in 1946

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

Olympia under construction

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

Olympia under construction

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

The Olympia in the late 1920s or early '30s

Photo from the Detroit Free Press archives

Future President Richard Nixon at Olympia in 1961

Photo from the Detroit Free Press archives

Olympia gets a new floor in 1941.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

Joe Louis pummels Natie Brown at Olympia in 1935.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

Bob Pastor and Joe Louis spar in 1939 at Olympia.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

A 1940 event at the Olympia featuring a Native American theme.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

President Dwight D. Eisenhower at Olympia in 1952

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

President Herbert Hoover gives a speech at Olympia in 1932.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

A hockey game at the Olympia in 1937

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

Figure skating at the Olympia in 1935

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

An event for Frank Murphy, governor of Michigan from 1937-39, at Olympia

Photo from the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library

The Olympia in the late 1920s or early '30s

Photo from the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library

The Olympia in the late 1920s or early '30s

Photo from the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library

Elton John rocks the Olympia

Photo from the Detroit Free Press archives

The Olympia rises on the city's northwest side

Photo from the Detroit Free Press archives

Detroiters flock to Olympia

Photo from the Detroit Free Press archives

Olympia getting set up for a political event in the 1970s

Photo from the Detroit Free Press archives

The Olympia in 1986, shortly before it was demolished

Photo from the Detroit Free Press archives

A hockey game at Olympia

Photo from the Detroit Free Press archives

The side marquee of Olympia

Photo from the Detroit Free Press archives

A crowd lines up outside Olympia

Photo from the Detroit Free Press archives

A crowd lines up for a religious event at the Olympia

Photo from the Detroit Free Press archives

Much like Tiger Stadium, Olympia had seats with obstructed views of the action.

Photo from the Detroit Free Press archives

A full house at the Olympia for a non-sporting event

Photo from the Detroit Free Press archives

Cleaning the ice in 1949

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

The Olympia hosting boxing

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

The Olympia hosting a black Muslim rally in 1962

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

The Olympia, hosting basketball

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

Joe Louis sends Abe Simon to the mat in 1941 at the Olympia.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

A political event in September 1931

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

The view from the nosebleeds

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

The Olympia hosted much more than just sporting events.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University

The Beatles perform at Olympia in 1966

Photo from the Detroit Free Press archives

The cornerstone of Olympia in the stadium's final days

Photo by Robert "Red" Whimmer