email: roadarch@outlook.com

Texas Mid-Century Modern Domes (page 2)

(hit "refresh" to get the most recent version of this page; click on photos for larger images)

Austin Aqua-Dome
Austin, TX		 Arena Theatre
Houston, TX
The Austin Aqua-Dome fish store occupies a monolithic dome which was built in 1986. The building originally housed a fish and bird store known as The Reef. [map]

The Arena Theatre was built in 1965 and features a round, revolving stage. It was originally known as the Houston Music Theatre. [map]

Astrodome
Houston, TX		 Burke Baker Planetarium
Houston, TX
The Astrodome was built from 1962-1965. It was originally known as the Harris County Domed Stadium. The Houston Astros baseball team played here from 1965-1999. The stadium also hosted the Houston Oilers football team, other sports teams and events, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. In 2005, the Astrodome was used as a shelter for New Orleans residents affected by Hurricane Katrina. Parts of the building were demolished in 2013. In 2014, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2018, plans were announced to raise the floor inside and turn the space below it into an underground parking garage. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. [map]

The Burke Baker Planetarium was built in 1964. It has been in continuous operation since then. [map]

John H. Glenn Middle School
San Angelo, TX
The John H. Glenn Middle School was built in the 1970s. The school has one main round, domed building and two smaller round buildings. [map]

Coppell Middle School West
Coppell, TX
I believe this dome at Coppell Middle School West was built around 1965. It houses the school's auditorium. Renovation work was going on when these photos were taken in 2017. The dome is still there. [map]

Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Port Arthur, TX
Thomas Jefferson Middle School was built in 1959. [map]

KMID-TV station
Midland, TX
The KMID-TV station was built in the late 1950s. These photos are from 2012. In 2015, the building was purchased by Weidner Apartment Homes. The tower is now painted blue. [map]

Brownwood Coliseum
Brownwood, TX
The Brownwood Coliseum was built in 1963. The dome was built first. It was then raised up and the walls beneath it constructed. The walls feature reliefs of cattle, bison, and horses. The building is used by Howard Payne University for basketball and volleyball. It is also used for meetings and other events. [map]

St. Joseph Academy
Brownsville, TX
These St. Joseph Academy buildings were designed by Caudill Rowlett Scott and built in 1960. The first three photos above show the Gymnasium; the last photo in the second row shows the Chapel. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]