The Pershing Center (originally known as Pershing Auditorium ) was a 4,526-seat multi-purpose arena in Lincoln, Nebraska . As of August 10, 2023, the facility was undergoing demolition.
20-554: On February 12, 1900, Lincoln's first municipal auditorium, though owned by Lancaster County and operated by the local chapter of the American Legion , opened. The building was burnt to the ground in an accident on April 15, 1928. By 1931, the city of Lincoln was planning to build a new auditorium and name it after General John J. Pershing , based on votes from students that would ultimately form and attend Lincoln Northeast High School . In 1939, city of Lincoln voters approved
40-496: A StormReady county by the National Weather Service . As of the 2020 United States Census , there were 322,608 people in the county. The population density was 381 people per square mile (147 people/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 79.7% White , 4.5% Black or African American , 1.0% Native American , 4.7% Asian American , 0.1% Pacific Islander , and 3.3% from two or more races. 8.1% of
60-761: A roller derby match August 23, 2014, between the No Coast Derby Girls and the Kansas City Roller Warriors ; it was won by the Kansas City Roller Warriors. An RfP was sent out by the City of Lincoln in 2014 looking for reuse plans for the Pershing Center, but none of the proposals were acceptable due to cost. Demolition loomed in the building's future if an alternate use was not found. The contents of
80-569: A $ 750,000 bond to build a new auditorium. A second bond in 1950, at cost of $ 1.5 million, was approved, but an additional $ 75,000 bond was rejected in 1952. Plans for Pershing were approved in 1955 and the building opened two years later. Pershing's exterior was highlighted by a large ceramic tile mural , designed by artists Leonard Thiessen and Bill J. Hammon . The mural depicts 38 figures playing sports, dancing, and performing in theater and circus events. Measuring 38-by-140 foot (5320 sq. ft.; 494.2 m) and consisting of 763,000 1-sq.-inch pieces, it
100-454: A household in the county was $ 41,850, and the median income for a family was $ 53,676. Males had a median income of $ 34,720 versus $ 25,614 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 21,265. About 5.50% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line , including 9.90% of those under age 18 and 6.10% of those age 65 or over. Lancaster County is divided into the following census divisions called precincts, defined by
120-429: A new, larger arena for Lincoln due to mid-sized arenas no longer able to meet the demands of most tours. According to Pershing General Manager Tom Lorenz "the music and entertainment industry has pulled back on midlevel tours, reducing the number of shows likely to come to Pershing. Normally, Pershing has six to eight concerts annually, but this year will have three or four". A subsidy to cover a budget shortfall of $ 150,000
140-598: The 2020 United States Census , the population was 322,608, making it the second-most populous county in Nebraska. Its county seat is Lincoln , the state capital. The county was created in 1859. Lancaster County is part of the Lincoln, NE Metropolitan Statistical Area . In the Nebraska license plate system , Lancaster County was represented by the prefix 2 (it had the second-largest number of vehicles registered in
160-461: The Pershing Center were auctioned off in January–February 2015. By 2018, the auditorium's future was still unclear. It remained standing and was used only as a storage facility for Pinnacle Bank Arena. Many proposals were floated by private groups and government agencies, but none that the city government (who did not at the time plan to demolish the building) found acceptable. In June 2020, it
180-536: The boundaries of the original townships , except for the City of Lincoln. Lancaster County has historically been somewhat conservative for an urban county. In the last 30 national elections, Lancaster County selected the Republican Party candidate 78% of the time. However, it has become more competitive in recent years, largely due to the influence of Lincoln and the University of Nebraska. Since 1988,
200-452: The death of their singer Jim Morrison at Pershing on November 12, 1971. The Grateful Dead 's performance, on February 26, 1973, was recorded and makes up half of their live album, entitled Dick's Picks Volume 28 . The exterior and marquee of the arena are also featured in the 1981 film, This is Elvis , as it hosted one of Elvis Presley 's final concerts in 1977. Phish played the arena in 1995. In 2008–2009, discussions began to build
220-502: The margin in the county has been 10 points or less all but once. In 2008, Barack Obama won a narrow majority in Lancaster County, becoming the first Democrat to carry the county since 1964, and only the second since 1936. The county gave a narrow plurality to Hillary Clinton in 2016, winning the county by just 310 votes and a 0.23% margin. As of January 2024, Republicans maintain a relative advantage in party registration in
SECTION 10
#1732791398773240-623: The mural remains undetermined but it was taken down and preserved by the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation in October 2022, with the intent to re-install it at an undetermined location. The mural is currently planned to be reinstalled at the Wyuka Cemetery grounds. Lancaster County, Nebraska Lancaster County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nebraska . As of
260-578: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. As of the 2000 United States Census , there were 250,291 people, 99,187 households, and 60,702 families in the county. The population density was 298 people per square mile (115 people/km ). There were 104,217 housing units at an average density of 124 per square mile (48/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 90.07% White , 2.82% Black or African American , 0.64% Native American , 2.86% Asian American , 0.06% Pacific Islander , 1.69% from other races , and 1.87% from two or more races. 3.37% of
280-450: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 39.1% were of German , 7.9% English and 7.8% Irish ancestry. There were 99,187 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.80% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.80% were non-families. 29.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.30% had someone living alone who
300-530: The state when the license plate system was established in 1922). In 2002, the state discontinued the 1922 system in Lancaster, Douglas and Sarpy counties. According to the US Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 846 square miles (2,190 km ), of which 838 square miles (2,170 km ) is land and 8.8 square miles (23 km ) (1.0%) is water. In 2004, Lancaster County was named
320-440: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.00. The county population contained 23.50% under the age of 18, 15.40% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 20.30% from 45 to 64, and 10.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.50 males. The median income for
340-464: Was also a host site for the NSAA boys and girls state basketball, as well as the NSAA girls volleyball championships. It has hosted the national roller-skating championships 28 times, beginning in 1962 though the final 2014 meet, called Last Lap at Pershing. Pershing has held many events in the past, including concerts and WWE / TNA house show wrestling events. The Doors played their first concert since
360-461: Was announced that the Pershing Center would be demolished, and would be replaced with an apartment complex and a new library. Demolition on the building finally began in August 2023. Members of the community also voiced their desire to save the large, iconic mural on the auditorium's exterior. Estimates placed preservation and re-installation of the mural elsewhere at $ 1.2 million. The ultimate fate of
380-548: Was passed by the Lincoln City Council because the situation was so dire, only "10 months into the fiscal year." The larger arena in Lincoln's Haymarket District was ultimately built between 2011 and 2013, opening as Pinnacle Bank Arena opened in August 2013. The final major event, a concert by Goo Goo Dolls , was held at the Pershing Center August 6, 2014. The last usage of the building was
400-861: Was the largest ceramic tile mural in the United States at the time of its construction. The arena was home to the Lincoln Capitols NIFL indoor football team, the Lincoln Thunder ABA basketball team, and the No Coast Derby Girls Women's Flat Track Derby Association league. In 2013, it was home to the Lincoln Haymakers of the Champions Professional Indoor Football League . Pershing
#772227