Astrodome, Houston

Houston's Astrodome, once hailed as the "Eighth Wonder of the World," is an iconic sports venue with a storied past. Inaugurated in 1965, it was the world's first multi-purpose, domed sports stadium, setting a precedent for future constructions of its kind. The Astrodome was the home of the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball and the Houston Oilers of the National Football League, among other teams.

The Astrodome, with its 18-story height and a seating capacity that once reached over 60,000, was an engineering marvel of its time. It featured a 642-foot diameter dome and was the first stadium to use artificial turf, which became known as AstroTurf in its honor. This innovative venue hosted a variety of events, including baseball and football games, rodeos, concerts, and even the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973.

Despite its groundbreaking design and cultural significance, the Astrodome has faced challenges in recent years. It has not hosted a professional sports team since the Astros moved to Minute Maid Park in 2000, and the structure has been largely vacant since 2009. Efforts to repurpose the Astrodome have been ongoing, with proposals including an indoor park, a convention center, and other mixed-use developments.