It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since Pittsburghers watched the implosion of Three Rivers Stadium.
It was on Feb. 11, 2001 — a quarter-century ago — that the home of the Steelers and Pirates was brought down in a thick cloud of dust on the city’s North Shore.
It opened on July 16, 1970, at a cost of $55 million. Three Rivers was built as a multi-purpose stadium to replace Forbes Field in Oakland.
It was leveled to make way for parking and commercial property next to what was then Heinz Field (now Acrisure Stadium) for the Steelers, while the Pirates moved over to PNC Park.
Three Rivers was the scene of the iconic Immaculate Reception on Dec. 23, 1972 — dubbed by the NFL as the greatest play in its history.
It hosted two World Series — in 1971 (including the series’ first night game) and 1979 — and was where Pirates fans watched Roberto Clemente’s 3,000th and final hit.
It also hosted two All Star Games — in 1974 and 1994.
The musical acts that performed there include Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, The Rolling Stones, The Who and Pink Floyd.
Its round footprint (with its artificial turf) included a glass-enclosed restaurant and a Hammond organ with the soon-to-be legendary Vince Lascheid at the keyboard.
