Astrodome Tagged With Historical Marker

HOUSTON, TX — Houston's Eighth Wonder of the World now has a new designation: Historic.

Houston's most iconic structure was honored with an historical marker, which was dedicated during a special ceremony hosted by the Harris County Historical Commission on Tuesday.

The Astrodome, which is already on the National Register of Historic Places and is a State Antiquities Landmark, is now a recorded Texas Landmark.

The Astrodome opened in 1965, and became home to the former Houston Colt .45s, who became the Houston Astros.

Three years later, the NFL's Houston Oilers would also call the dome their home turf.

The Astrodome remained the home of the Oilers until 1996, and the Astros until 1999, and has been nearly vacant ever since.

The dome was closed to the public in 2009, and after voters rejected a $217 million bond for renovations in 2012., It seemed destined for a date with the wrecking ball.

However, the dome got a new lease on life in February when the Harris County Commissioners Court unanimously voted to renovate the Astrodome at a cost of $105 million.

A few months later the county hosted a Domecoming party to let fans take a final walk thru before work begins later this year.

RELATED STORIES:

• Domecoming: Fans Get One Last Tour Of Astrodome Before Makeover
• Harris County To Host 'Domecoming' Party For Famed Astrodome
• Houston Astrodome To Get $105 Million Makeover

Image: General interior view of the halftime show during an NFL game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Oilers on December 16, 1984, at the AstroDome in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Trevor Jones/Getty Images)

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