Texas is home to its fair share of abandoned buildings and ghost towns but none are quite as creepy as this abandoned stadium that can be found right in the middle of a major city. Keep reading to learn more.
The legendary Houston Astrodome was built in 1965 and is one of the most recognizable structures in the country.
Today, the Astrodome is considered a historic landmark. It was the world's first multi-purpose, domed sports stadium, has been home to several sports teams including the Houston Astros, and has even hosted the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo until 2002.
The stadium is also associated with several other "firsts" like the first animated scoreboard and the installation of artificial grass, now known as AstroTurf.
Unfortunately, the Astrodome is no longer the thriving stadium it once was. In 2002, NRG Stadium opened next to the Astrodome and took away its last major tenant, the rodeo. For years, the stadium remained relatively empty. In 2005, it was used to house displaced New Orleans residents during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Today, the Astrodome is a desolate shell of what it once was. After being declared non-compliant with the fire code in 2008, the stadium has remained eerily empty and decaying ever since.
Parts of the building were eventually demolished in 2013 and plans to revitalize the stadium have since been scrapped. No new plans have emerged in recent years.
For the time being, this once-legendary sports stadium will continue to serve as a reminder of the countless memories created at its peak.
To learn more about the Houston Astrodome and its history, check out this video uploaded to YouTube.