Houghton’s Amphidrome and the Portage Lakes Hockey Club
Houghton, Michigan, holds a unique place in hockey history. On December 29, 1902, the first organized professional hockey game was played at the Amphidrome, marking the beginning of a new era for the sport. This iconic game pitted the Portage Lakes Hockey Club against the University of Toronto Hockey Club. The Portage Lakes triumphed with a commanding 13–2 victory in front of over 5,000 enthusiastic spectators.
The Amphidrome: A Historic Venue
Built in 1902, the Amphidrome was not just a rink but a birthplace of hockey’s professional roots. The Portage Lakes Hockey Club made history by being the first team to pay all its players, earning the title of the world’s first fully professional hockey team. This innovation solidified Houghton’s status as the “Birthplace of Professional Hockey.”
The Formation of the International Hockey League
In 1904, the Portage Lakes joined the International Hockey League (IHL), the first fully professional ice hockey league. Organized by visionary James R. Dee and Dr. J.L. “Doc” Gibson, the IHL comprised five teams from Houghton, Calumet, Pittsburgh, Sault Ste. Marie (Michigan), and Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario).
As the captain of the Portage Lakes, “Doc” Gibson was not only a prolific scorer but also a driving force behind the league’s formation. His contributions earned him a place in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 1973.
From the Amphidrome to Dee Stadium
Though the Amphidrome was tragically destroyed by fire in 1927, it rose from the ashes the following year. Rebuilt on the same site, the structure was renamed Dee Stadium when purchased by the Michigan College of Mining and Technology. Dee Stadium remains a symbol of hockey history and is recognized as the seventh oldest indoor ice rink in the world.
Houghton’s Enduring Legacy
The game played on December 29, 1902, at the Amphidrome was much more than just a match; it was the spark that ignited professional hockey. From its humble beginnings in Houghton, the sport grew into the beloved global phenomenon it is today. Visitors to Dee Stadium can still sense the echoes of this rich legacy, celebrating a time when the Portage Lakes Hockey Club brought professional hockey to life.
Historical Marker
Industry and Invention (1875-1915) – Registered in 2005 and erected in 2006 – ID #S690C
Located at 700 E. Lakeshore Drive, Houghton – Lat: 47.12259800 / Long: -88.56566700
Birth of Professional Hockey
In 1903-04 the Portage Lake Hockey Club became the first hockey team to pay all of its players. In March 1904 the club won the U.S. Championship and beat the Montreal Wanderers in the Houghton Amphidrome for what was billed as the World’s Championship. Later that year local entrepreneur James Dee and Houghton dentist John “Doc” Gibson, a former hockey player originally from Ontario, organized the first professional hockey league. The International Hockey League (IHL) began play in December 1904 and comprised teams from Houghton; Calumet; Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario; and Pittsburgh. The league folded after three seasons, but it marked the start of professional hockey.
Amphidrome
The Amphidrome stood on this site from 1902 until 1927, when it burned. The first hockey game was played in the arena on December 29, 1902, when Portage Lake beat the University of Toronto, 13-2. The Amphidrome was home to the Portage Lakes, a team in the International Hockey League, ice hockey’s first professional league. The building also hosted the agricultural society’s annual Copper Country Fair and numerous other community events. The Houghton Warehouse Company, headed by James R. Dee, built and owned the arena. Dee, who had helped organize the International Hockey League in 1904, led the effort to rebuild the Amphidrome. This building opened in 1927 on the site of the original one and hosted professional ice hockey games until 1907. It was renamed Dee Stadium in 1943.
Learn more about the rich history of the Western Upper Peninsula.
