Abandoned - Houston Astrodome 

People forget how important the Astrodome was. Elvis performed there. Muhammad Ali fought there. Selena gave her best concert there. It’s a place soaked in history and to see it so neglected is truly one of the biggest heartaches of any true houstonian.

The fact this video isnt titled "Abandomed" disappoints me, it is great regardless.

I'm a Houstonian and the Dome is seriously embedded into our love of this city. It's sentimental more than anything else and I would love it if they utilized however they see fit. As long as they keep some of the bones

I grew up in Houston, this is a historic landmark. Just as Astroworld was, until it’s demise in 2006. It’s funny to look back, the memories will always be in our hearts. I no longer live in Houston, but I can still hear the passing cars from the XLR8, the Texas tornado. The smell of the funnel cakes and hamburgers. The feeling of being a child again, if even for a brief moment.

Living in Houston all my life , this dome is sacred. From the astros , to The legendary Selena nothing can replace it. My mom said that being inside it during Selena’s concert was otherworldly , We always admire it as we walk by it like we can’t believe all that happened inside.

Selena Quintanilla Perez performed there 3 years in a row to sold out crowds. She actually always dreamed of performing there. So it helps a little to know that some of her dreams came true. The fact that she never saw her dream of the English language album realized before her death breaks my heart so a least she got to Rock the Astrodome. Ya know.. 🌹

As a native Houstonian (and NOT a sports fan), I can tell you, that was a special place.

As a Miami Dolphins fan, I totally understand the Houston fans. My heart broke the day they tore down the Orange Bowl. I lived just a few blocks from the stadium and I have never felt the excitement ever again.

I’ve been past it. It’s a great piece of architecture. A great stadium with a lot of history. My dad actually played baseball in high school there. Keep up with the great stuff Jake. Love your stuff.

Was an Oiler season ticket holder when I proposed marriage on the big screen. The team and the wife both left!😅

i grew up asking my mom about the Astrodome all the time, since i wasn't alive when it was functioning aside from Katrina. i love hearing about the stories she tells about the NBA games she'd go to, it sounded so lively and exciting and i wish i could've seen it. thanks for making this video, even now in Houston the Astrodome is such an important piece of history, it had such an infuelnce that i often see people bond over it. amongst all the new buildings, i can't help but stare at it in awe, there's something special about the Astrodome that no other arena in the city has, and its not even in use.

Being from Houston and still living here its a sad to see where the Astrodome is at today. I remember going to Astroworld as a kid and it sucks that they tore it down all those years ago.

As a native Houstonian, It’s nice to still have something historic left in tact, even if it’s abandoned for now. Houston does not care at all about preserving history. Older houses and buildings are demolished without hesitation.

it's crazy to know that SELENA performed at this stadium

What a lot of people don't understand about the astrodome, is that it is synonymous with the city of Houston. It's more than just memories. It was a grand design that represents the spirit of the city. It is a symbol, although a decaying one, of our grand dreams. It's a wonderful place and should be kept standing. If I had the money, I would restore it, and hope to make something of it again. Those who saw events there know of it's awesome power. It's more than just a structure. It's a symbol of awe and wonder.

Thank you SO much for this video!! The Astrodome holds such very special memories for me as a kid. I've been to NRG stadium and been on the ramps going up, outside, looking over at the Astrodome - back in 2014. I literally got tears in my eyes. Like the end of this video said - WHY didn't they just invest in fixing it it up, updating etc?!! I truly hope it is repurposed into something that makes all of us who have such love for it proud. ❤️

I miss when they’d name stadiums after the team like this instead of sponsor companies like suntrust and Citi Field

10:38 "The Astrodome was set to return in 2020" *_Then 2020 HAPPENED_*

I really hope that the Astrodome gets life put back into it. I’ve never been there or in Texas in general but I only know it because my Idol Selena peformed there. Whether it’s in the near or far future, let’s hope it reopens to the public again.

I had relatives that lived in Houston and was a very small boy when we once visited there when the Astrodome was brand new. Went on a tour. I can remember how proud they were of their state of the art stadium back then. Sad now.

I hope they do something with it. Many years ago, when I was in high school our band marched inside the dome. It was awsome.

I miss the Astrodome, and Astroworld! I ran the bases of the Astrodome as a kid back in the 90s.

I feel so sad watching this. Yes, we have a strong love for the stadium. I have so many emotional ties and memories to the Astrodome. I can’t imagine it being demolished. Losing Astroworld was hard enough. 😥😥😥

I saw Nolan Ryan play in that dome, went to the Rodeo every year, had a season pass to AstroWorld & WaterWorld every year. So many memories made ❤

Being a Houston native, I really loved and agreed with his final comments. The city has a long history of not utilizing the money in a smart way.

When i hear or see the Houston Astrodome, Selena comes to mind! Her last televised concert and breaking record crowed attendance! May she rest in peace!

I really miss the Astrodome, it’s a shame they didn’t try to update throughout its lifetime so that there wouldn’t be such enormous repair costs. I’ve seen many Astros games there, monster truck shows, and concerts. It was a really cool stadium.

My favorite memory was the 1981 Texxas Jam with REO Speedwagon, Heart, Foghat and The Rockets.

I spent weeks in Houston after Hurricane Katrina as a volunteer with the Red Cross. Everyday bright and early we would be at the Astrodome and hundreds of busses would come and thousands of victims most with nothing but the clothes on their back would line up outside in the blazing TX heat. We spent entire days and nights just handing out water and food to the ppl in line, reuniting families and loved ones, giving medical treatment,checking people in, handing out supplies, preparing meals, setting up cots like mini shelters for them etc. I distinctly remember one day where I simply stopped for a moment and just took it all in. Cots as far as the eye could see,organized chaos going on all around me and armed National Guard troops stationed everywhere.It’s all so very surreal to think back on now. After one of the worst natural disasters in US history that facility was a literal lifesaver for countless people and that’s how I will always remember it. For just a sports stadium it has had quite a diverse and incredible history.

Hey Bright Sun thanks for making a abandoned of Houston Astrodome

One of the most incredible moments in my lifetime was the first time I saw the field at the Astrodome. To see the stadium was unreal…to see the field was heavenly.

When I was in high school we would play our championship football games at "The Dome" as we called it for short. I was in our schools drum and bugle corps so I got to perform on the field. It is still one of my fondest memories over 40 years later.

“We forgot the A/C.” “Do we really need it?” “It’s a sport arena in South Texas....” “I...well.... oh crap!”

It was space themed because of NASA being in Houston. Not Sci-fi

You taught me more about the Astrodome than I knew being a Houstonian for 40 years. Good job 👏🏿

I love that most of these comments talk about Selena, much love to you guys all ❣

I remember the Astrodome for three events: 1992 RNC, Selena’s last concert in 1995, and WrestleMania X-Seven in 2001.

The real shame here is the loss of Astroworld, which in its heyday was a first class theme park. Modeled after Disneyland, Astroworld was a beautifully landscaped family park with great rides, shows and eateries. Had the city worked with Six Flags, it could have updated and expanded its facilities, including adding a water park. Furthermore, the architecturally significant Astrodome should have been have never been replaced by the generic NRG. Instead, the iconic stadium should have been refurbished and its unique historical value preserved. Investments in the Astrodome and Astroworld could have been complimented by adding hotels, shopping districts and a convention center. The entire complex could have been connected via monorails and sky rides, making the facility easy to navigate and ensuring guests spend their money within its confines. This development would have created one of the country's premiere entertainment destinations, generating millions in revenue and thousands of jobs. Because no leaders had any vision, we are now stuck with the boring NRG, and not much else. Without other unique attractions in the immediate area, there is no reason for visitors to stay and spend. Houston really lost out on this one.

So much history in this building..Selena...The bad news bears...part of my childhood

I remember watching the Astros play in the AstroDome. I love it. Hearing the crowd and the game, eventhough they lost most of their games in the earlier years. I remember going to AstroWorld too (the original park). It was so much fun! It's hard to believe neither are available now. Such an awful shame.

I knew this place was doomed the moment Stone Cold shook Vince McMahon's hand at Wrestlemania 17

always look at it when I’m at Texans games and remember all the good times

I have watched your channel for years but just found this video. As a Houstonian I am both excited to watch and know I’m setting myself up for pure heartache here.

Saw my first big league game in 1970 at the Dome on Hat Day. Mom and Dad carried me there as a 8 year old. Old Colt 45 stadium was still there at the time. Gene Elston and Lowell Passe on the radio call. I will never forget these memories...The Cadets...wow I sure recall that. Thanks for posting this.

Is there anything more "texas" than building a stadium next to a stadium?

Thanks bright sun films I live in Houston I've passed by this building before it's really locked up and secure the city takes care of it it's not really abandoned but it's a piece of history

I’m from a small Texas town called Schulenburg which is an hour from Houston. In the 90s our high school football team went to state on a couple occasions and we played those games in the Astrodome. I still have photos from that time somewhere. I always used to go to Astroworld across the way regularly. Such good times and wonderful memories!

Simply put, Houston has gone to shit. No longer the friendly, charming city of the past. Too many transients. It’s now a melting pot of the west and east coast.

It is so sad such a brilliant stadium left abandoned

I'm from Houston, TX, and 44 and this was Definitely a stroll down memory lane. I Was Disgusted to find out that Astroworld was Demolished, which was a part of my Best memories from childhood. I've been to the Astrodome a few times too. Saw Nolan Ryan pitch. Thanks.

Born and raised in Houston, memories of going to the Dome to see the Houston Rodeo, motocross races, the Astros and the Oilers. Saw Evel Knievel make a jump there. Anyone's that's been to Houston from May to October will know why they wanted an air-conditioned venue.

My family moved from Houston in 1998 and my dad still talks about the things he went to see at the Astrodome to this day.

This stadium is so iconic. Selena performed there 3 times and breaking attendance records each time she did. Sucks that the city of Houston won't make an effort to renovate it to its former glory.

They built another stadium... right... next to it. Who’s smart idea was that??? Wow!

They turned our old baseball field Bush Stadium in Indianapolis into Apartments. The field still stands, and the newer Victory Field is more downtown. Its real clever. They could do that with this!

I went on a tour in the summer of 1972; it was awesome!! Such a shame it now sits abandoned.

Tore my knee up in that stadium when my high school played there back in 2000. Worst turf ever.

I'm from Houston & I've been inside the Astrodome for it's 50th Anniversary.

I just stumbled into this channel, where have I been?! It's awesome! Great videos. Hopefully the Astrodome can be brought back to it's former glory, sad to see things like this happen.

Man I can watch these videos over and over and never get old

Rip astrodome..Rip Selena💔

I was in the Astro dome less than a year ago, and it’s now a storage facility. I was able to walk to the center of it and imagine a rock concert and it was still pretty mesmerizing.

I very vaguely remember going to the astrodome as a small child for an Astros game, and later on for the Houston rodeo before NRG stadium was built. Glad I was able to experience the place even though I don’t remember it much at all

So nice to see someone outside of Houston actually do thorough research on the Astrodome. I don't think any Houstonian knew half the information in this video. Very well put together.

When you get an NFL expansion franchise but don't utilize a pre-existing stadium without a home team, and instead, build a $350mil stadium *STONKS*

Ugh I miss Astroworld. It breaks my heart every time I see where it use to be.

I have still have the certificate that was given to me when I attended the last game at Colt Stadium in 1964. It's got a cheesy b&w aerial photo of the Astrodome with "Goodbye Colt Stadium, Hello Astrodome!" in caps. Colt Stadium was hastily built in 1961 for the Colt's 1962 debut. The Colts were one of two new NL expansion teams that year. The other team was the NY Mets. The Sportswriters predicted the Colts would wind up in dead last (10th) place that first year. They actually edged out the Mets and the Cubs and finished in 8th place.

Great vid! Thumbs up! I remember driving by while it was being built in '65. It didn't see so massive from our vantage point. But once it got built and I started attending events in the Dome, I could see how massive it was. I saw one Astros game there (wasn't into baseball but went as a favor to my cousin), numerous Oilers games (LOVED MY BLUE!), a handful of concerts, several rodeos and, in 1992, the Republican National Convention. My heart holds very dear memories of the Dome. I'd prefer not to see it torn down. My idea for its usage would be to house animals in need. Like a HUGE SPCA facility with other features besides what SPCA already does, such as permanently housing some animals.

I liked the video but was sad that as a 12 year old i witnessed the finest wrestlemania ever(2001) in this very stadium with my dad and my best friend(sadly passed on 3rd december 2018)i would ive anything to feel that again

Astroworld was NEVER called "Six Flags Houston", it was known as "Six Flags Astroworld" while under the management of Six Flags.

Cool story. I've always been fascinated at that building. I didn't know it was still there.

Hi! I'm on maternity leave so have had time to just BINGE all your videos and and super shocked when I found out you made closed for storm because I watched that THE SECOND it came out! I'm from Houston, a super coaster junkie. Crazy, with Astroworld closing in 2005... it is still just a massive vacant lot only being used 3 weeks out of the year as parking for the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Depressing.

Really wish I got to see this place and Astroworld in it's heyday. Keep up the good work!

Roman Coliseum:: still cool after 2000 years. Modern arenas: "dated" after a few decades.

As a Texan, though I may not be from Houston. I thank you for covering such an iconic piece of Texas history. Keep up the good work!

Its nice you tell these stories and film it too.

I MISS ASTRO WORLD

I love how he cant even stop his laughter at the fact they didnt use the astrodome and instead built a 350 million dollar stadium next to it

Selena 💜💜💜 Wish I could have seen her perform there.

My first time at the Astrodome was a pre-season game between the Bears (with Gale Sayers) and the Oilers. Saw lots of Astro's games and Oiler's games over the decades. Most memorable was a weekend series at the end of a season in the 70's when Cincinnati's Big Red Machine came and played a series that would decide the division. Astros won the first two games but lost on Sunday (with the obligatory controversial call at home plate). Still haven't been to a game at Reliant/NRG, though I did use to play flyball with my dogs at Reliant/NRG center in the same parking lot. It's unlikely now because I have moved across the country. I hope the Astrodome finds a new purpose going forward.

This should totally be a historic structure for Selena’s Final concert alone. The whole world knows this place just because of her/ the movie. I grew up in Houston and went to the rodeo every year just for her. Great memories.

Six Flags ran a lot of local theme parks into the ground.

My dad sent me a postcard from here once and I’ve always been curious about the theme park and the dome so thank you The Reliant (NRG) stadium looks nice and it has a lot going for it and the design is decent but it doesn’t hold a candle to the Astrodome design

I miss it, Astrodome, Astroworld. Waterworld...all of it. Memories for me that I just wish I could relive with my kids today. Very special place

My city! H-Town!🤘 It's so sad to see it just sitting there... Thanks for the love!

My dad worked there helping build the Astrodome.

Saw a few Oiler games there , many Astros games. Also, several concerts The Who in 1982, Paul McCartney in '94. So many Memories!

Just watched this video. As a Native Houstonian of 43 years, Thank You!!

Jake: Astroworld Me: starts to here the beat of sicko mode

The XFL Houston team should move their instead of playing at a college stadium

Went there as a 12 yo kid in 1967. We took a guided tour and then saw the Dodgers play. Sandy Koufax pitched. Also went to Astro World. What wonderful memories.

That was awesome. So much history at the astrodome.

I love the Astrodome! We saw many great events while living in Houston Long live the Dome!

Always thought this was so sad, just letting it sit... Attended a Astros game there in 1974 and I still remember how amazing it was, first walking in there at 14 years old.

I’m from Minnesota, but went to college in Texas. My roommate was from Houston & grew up right by the Astrodome. I believe in the 5th ward area. I remember going home with him on a break from college & driving right by the Astrodome, I was in amazement at how cool it looked! Wish I could’ve went inside it…

Good video. The astrodome is a very iconic structure in america. It was pretty revolutionary in many ways. If i had to note something you missed it would be mentioning the Astrodome was offten affectionately referred to as the 8th wonder of the world.

Its crazy how Bright Sun Films doesn't have 1 million subscribers after making 47 episodes of abandoned.

I saw Selena perform here in 1995! Hard to believe the dome is abandoned now!!! By the way, her last name is pronounced "KEEN-tuh-NEE-uh".

Thank you for doing this one . I’m a huge Selena fan and was curious to know more about the Astrodome🌹💜

11:45 - Fascinating "Historic Aerials"-type sequence here!