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Candlestick Park Name Origin

Introduction

Candlestick Park was a sports stadium located in San Francisco, California. It was the home of the San Francisco Giants baseball team and the San Francisco 49ers football team. The stadium was built in 1960 and was in use until 2014 when it was demolished. The name of the stadium has an interesting origin story that dates back to the 19th century. This article explores the history of Candlestick Park and how it got its name.

Early History of the Site

The site where Candlestick Park was built has a long history. It was originally a marshland that was used by the Ohlone Native Americans for hunting and fishing. In the 19th century, the area was used for cattle grazing. The land was eventually purchased by a man named Charles Harney who built a racetrack on the site in 1868. The racetrack was called Bay View Park and it was a popular destination for horse racing enthusiasts.

The Candlestick Point

In the early 20th century, the area around the racetrack was developed into a residential neighborhood. The racetrack was eventually closed down and the land was used for other purposes. In 1935, the city of San Francisco purchased the land and turned it into a park. The park was named Candlestick Point after the rock formation that jutted out into the bay. The rock formation was said to resemble a candlestick, hence the name.

Construction of Candlestick Park

In the 1950s, the city of San Francisco began looking for a site to build a new stadium for the San Francisco Giants baseball team. The site at Candlestick Point was chosen because of its proximity to downtown San Francisco and its scenic location. Construction of the stadium began in 1958 and was completed in 1960. The stadium was designed by architect John Bolles and was built at a cost of $15 million.

The Name Candlestick Park

The name Candlestick Park was chosen for the new stadium because of its location at Candlestick Point. The name was also a nod to the history of the site and the rock formation that gave the park its name. The name Candlestick Park was officially announced in 1959, a year before the stadium opened.

Events at Candlestick Park

Over the years, Candlestick Park hosted many memorable events. The San Francisco Giants played their home games at the stadium from 1960 to 1999. The San Francisco 49ers played their home games at the stadium from 1971 to 2013. The stadium also hosted concerts by many famous musicians, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Bruce Springsteen. In addition, Candlestick Park was the site of many historic sporting events, including the 1989 World Series and Super Bowl XVI.

Demolition of Candlestick Park

In 2014, Candlestick Park was demolished to make way for a new development. The stadium had fallen into disrepair and was no longer suitable for use. The demolition of the stadium marked the end of an era in San Francisco sports history. Today, the site where Candlestick Park once stood is home to a new development called Candlestick Point.

Conclusion

Candlestick Park was a beloved sports stadium in San Francisco that hosted many memorable events over the years. The name of the stadium has an interesting origin story that dates back to the 19th century. The site where the stadium was built was originally a marshland that was used by the Ohlone Native Americans for hunting and fishing. The area was eventually developed into a residential neighborhood and a park was created. The park was named Candlestick Point after the rock formation that jutted out into the bay. The name Candlestick Park was chosen for the new stadium because of its location at Candlestick Point and its nod to the history of the site. Although the stadium is no longer standing, its legacy lives on in the memories of those who attended events there.