Hidden Georgia Tech: The West Stands
By Victor Rogers aug. 31, 2015
Across the Georgia Tech campus, hidden spaces and forgotten places await rediscovery. Some are relics of an earlier time, difficult to find and explore. Others are very much in view, but often overlooked. Hidden Georgia Tech is a photo essay series highlighting places on campus that largely go unnoticed, but are hidden in plain sight.
WEST STANDS OF BOBBY DODD STADIUM
Grant Field has a storied history that includes heart-stopping football games as well as legendary rock concerts. Since the beginning, Grant Field has been a work in progress, and the stands have never been completely torn down and rebuilt.
Instead, the stands have been added to and remodeled in stages over time. In fact, the original West Stands are still underneath the current stands.
West Stands of Bobby Dodd Stadium
Photos by Rob Felt
In 1913, John W. Grant funded the permanent stands. The construction included blasting at ‘the Flats,’ which was very exciting for everyone within earshot. (Image: 1914 Georgia Tech year book.)
The first concrete stands on the west side opened in 1915, and the stadium gradually grew around what was there.
When plans were made in the late 1960s to renovate the stands, it was deemed easier to just build over the existing lower levels on the west side.
Keeping the concrete stands – and building over them – was less disruptive than removing them.
Sections of the old stands were carved out to make room for large columns to support the new stands.
The seat numbers are still visible on the original West Stands.
The seat numbers are still visible on the original West Stands.
Today the space underneath the stands is used for storing game-day supplies, such as cushioned seatbacks.
Today the space underneath the stands is used for storing game-day supplies.
Today the space underneath the stands is used for storing game-day supplies, such as cushioned seatbacks.
A relic of time and records gone by lies hidden underneath.
The renovated West Stands are larger than the original stands, which ended at the brick wall.
The renovated West Stands are larger than the original stands, which ended at the brick wall.
A panoramic photo shows the support beams and the relatively small size of the old stands compared to the new stands that were built on top.
Do you know a hidden place on campus that should be featured?
Email us at editor@comm.gatech.edu
Writer: Victor
Rogers
Photographer: Rob Felt
Digital Designer: Melanie Goux
