This once-vibrant venue was the home of one of the NBA's founding teams, the Sheboygan Red Skins.
This once-vibrant venue was the home of one of the NBA's founding teams, the Sheboygan Red Skins.
CNN
The Municipal Auditorium and Armory, built in 1941 before opening a year later, held 3,800 fans -- making it the smallest arena in the NBA's opening season.
The Municipal Auditorium and Armory, built in 1941 before opening a year later, held 3,800 fans -- making it the smallest arena in the NBA's opening season.
CNN
The Red Skins helped put Sheboygan -- a city of 42,000 people -- on the map and bring the community together.
The Red Skins helped put Sheboygan -- a city of 42,000 people -- on the map and bring the community together.
CNN
Sheboygan was one of the National Basketball League's top teams until a merger with the Basketball Association of America created the NBA in 1949. The Red Skins lasted just one season in the new competition.
Sheboygan was one of the National Basketball League's top teams until a merger with the Basketball Association of America created the NBA in 1949. The Red Skins lasted just one season in the new competition.
CNN
The venue is likely to be demolished next year. Sheboygan was the smallest team in the NBA, playing in front of the smallest crowds. After being thrown out, it lasted only two years as an independent team before folding.
The venue is likely to be demolished next year. Sheboygan was the smallest team in the NBA, playing in front of the smallest crowds. After being thrown out, it lasted only two years as an independent team before folding.
CNN
The same hoops are still hanging at either end of the Armory's court, which staged school games until 2006. It shut in 2010 and the heating was turned off in 2014, saving the city $30,000 a year on energy bills.
The same hoops are still hanging at either end of the Armory's court, which staged school games until 2006. It shut in 2010 and the heating was turned off in 2014, saving the city $30,000 a year on energy bills.
CNN
Scraps of old paper from those times can still be found in the Armory today. CNN's Don Riddell discovered this piece of brown card, folded into the shape of a paper airplane, listing the team lineups from a basketball game on February 1, 1952.
Scraps of old paper from those times can still be found in the Armory today. CNN's Don Riddell discovered this piece of brown card, folded into the shape of a paper airplane, listing the team lineups from a basketball game on February 1, 1952.
CNN
Sheboygan made stars out of the likes of John Posewitz and his brother Joe, and Kenny Suesens -- who was coach for the sole NBA campaign.
Sheboygan made stars out of the likes of John Posewitz and his brother Joe, and Kenny Suesens -- who was coach for the sole NBA campaign.
CNN
"This place reeks of memories. I remember a lot of noise. Sheboygan fans were on both sides of the room, packed to the walls," says John Posewitz Jnr., who was five when the Armory opened.
"This place reeks of memories. I remember a lot of noise. Sheboygan fans were on both sides of the room, packed to the walls," says John Posewitz Jnr., who was five when the Armory opened.
CNN
In its sole NBA season, Sheboygan lost to Indianapolis Olympians in the Western Division semifinal playoffs.
In its sole NBA season, Sheboygan lost to Indianapolis Olympians in the Western Division semifinal playoffs.
CNN
Sixty-five years after the team's collapse, with all but one of the players having passed away, the city of Sheboygan remains proud of its place in NBA history.
Sixty-five years after the team's collapse, with all but one of the players having passed away, the city of Sheboygan remains proud of its place in NBA history.
CNN