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In 1942, American industrialist Henry J. Kaiser met with noted architect Richard Buckminster “Bucky” Fuller (1895-1983), and the two discussed utilizing geodesic structures for commercial use. Although the dome concept was not new, the duo popularized its American use in the mid-twentieth century. After World War II ended, the surplus of aluminum meant the metal could be used as a low-cost building material. Prefabrication of the pieces allowed quick construction, even for large projects. Kaiser’s first dome in Waikiki, Hawaii, in January 1957 took a single day to construct.
In the late 1950s after an economic boom, Borger and Hutchinson County officials realized a need for a community event center. After a $425,000 bond election failed, Mayor Lawrence David Patton (1902-1982) and Chamber of Commerce Manager David William Moore (1920-1992) proposed building a Kaiser dome. A petition containing 707 signatures was submitted to the Hutchinson County commissioners court and the court called for a $125,000 bond election. The vote passed 538 to 378, and construction began soon after.
Borger’s aluminum dome, standing five stories tall and seating around 2,000 people, opened in November 1957. The dome’s first event was the Magic Plains Oil Exposition that same weekend. For several decades after, the dome held community events such as the Hutchinson County Livestock Show and Sale, Borger Fish Frys, Hutchinson County Oil Patch Extravaganza, boy scout expositions, girl scout celebrations, Borger ISD exhibit fairs, car shows and craft shows. Ownership later transferred from Hutchinson County to the city of Borger. (2023) |
