Olympic Stadium - Hoquiam, Washington - Illuminated School Sports Fields on Waymarking.com

Built as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project in 1938, Olympic Stadium remains in use today as a multi-purpose sports field. It has featured lights since 1939 and serves as the home field for the Hoquiam High School Grizzlies. The structure is an old-growth fir heavy-timber frame with concrete restroom and concession facilities. In addition to the main field, it includes two smaller Little League ballfields that have their own smaller grandstands. Originally built to hold 10,000 people, more recent reconfiguration efforts make the capacity up to 7,500 people.

The property was originally purchased by the City of Hoquiam in 1929. In 1938, construction of the grandstand was began as a Works Progress Administration project at a cost of $123,664. The stadium opened on Thanksgiving day for the big Hoquiam vs. Aberdeen high school football rivalry game. The stadium remains in use today for local high school sports and Little League baseball events. According to the National Historic Register nomination form it is thought to be the largest and best-preserved wooden grandstand in the United States. The facility was entered in the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.

A recent news article describes the rivalry between Hoquiam and Aberdeen high schools, one of the oldest rivalries in the state of Washington:

HOQUIAM, WA – One of the oldest rivalries in Washington will continue on Saturday at 5 p.m. (EST) when the Hoquiam Grizzlies face off against the Aberdeen Bobcats at Hoquiam’s Olympic Stadium. More than 7,000 fans will be in attendance for the game that’s part of the 2013 Great American Rivalry Series presented by the U.S. Marine Corps and Hibbett Sports.

The rivalry between Hoquiam and Aberdeen began back in 1906. Aberdeen leads the all-time series 67-35-5 despite losing the last two matchups, including a 49-6 blowout loss last season to claim the Myrtle Street Trophy (the street separates the two towns). Both teams are coming off season-opening losses with the Grizzlies falling to Centralia (36-22) and the Bobcats losing to Montesano (31-27).

Coach Rick Moore’s Grizzlies finished 10-1 last season with an average margin of victory over 46 points. They graduated their entire offensive starting lineup, but still return experienced players in senior quarterback Brenner Carlstrom, senior backs Devin Kelly andTahcoy Ibabao and junior backs Tyler White and Michael Harris. Coach Terry Dion’s Bobcats, who finished 3-6 last season, are led by senior quarterback Veek Cheema and backs Joel Dublanko, Deon Schlesser, Carter Harris, Austin Floch and Drew Stocker. -Ihigh.com Great American Rivalry Series, Sept. 9, 2013

Note: Click a photo to enlarge

Olympic Stadium Entrance

Olympic Stadium West Side (note the stadium lights)

Field Web Site: [Web Link] Division Ball Played Here: 1A

Visit Instructions:
At least one photograph that shows the stadium taken either during the day or night. A photo taken during the game at night is highly prized.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   03/25/2023 giacaches visited it