Domecoming: A Look at the Past and Present of the Astrodome

By Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld, Staff writer | April 10, 2018

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Astrodome Conservancy chair Phoebe Tudor all smiles on the field. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Less than two hours after the Domecoming event was announced, 25,000 passes were reserved by the general public. The sold-out event on April 9, the 53rd anniversary of the inaugural event at the Astrodome, was a success. Lines were wrapped around the Dome well in advance and hours after the event began. Guests took advantage of the opportunity to reminisce and enjoy a last look into the Astrodome before renovations begin later this year.

Hall of Famer Elvin Bethea standing nostalgically by his retired jersey. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Some former Oilers players and former Astros players enjoyed sentimental time back on the field. Fans arrived dressed in vintage (as well as current) Astros and Oilers gear.

The Domecoming celebration included an opportunity to hear about the renovations from Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and Astrodome Conservancy chair Phoebe Tudor.

“The Astrodome is an important landmark to Harris County and Texas and is part of our unique culture,” said Phoebe Tudor. “Our mission is to preserve its legacy and creatively engage Houstonians at the Astrodome once again.”

Local artist Gonzo created art depicting the Astrodome for the occasion. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said, "The Astrodome Conservancy is going to help us ensure that the Astrodome is no longer just an unused county building housing only memories and equipment."

See below for photos from the Domecoming event. Share your Astrodome memories with us - join the conversation on our Facebook post or comment below.

Astrodome Conservancy chair Phoebe Tudor with Welcome Wilson Sr., also on the Astrodome Conservancy Board, and Welcome Wilson Jr.
(Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
(From left) Fans Michael Lombardino, Maricela Arrendondo, Andrew Kogut (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
SCORE! Buzz editor Joni Hoffman was thrilled to meet former Houston Oilers quarterback Dante Pastorini. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
(From left) Former Houston Oilers players Carel Stith, defensive tackle and Garland Boyette, linebacker. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
A replica of the Astrodome in 1965. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
(From left) Ericka Bagwell, Phoebe Tudor and Donae Chramosta. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Barbara Hauser, an original Spacette, wearing her uniform, being interviewed by KTRK reporter Pooja Lodhia. Barbara was at the Astrodome Opening Day 53 years ago. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Barbara Hauser, an original Spacette, reminiscing with her husband Harris. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Houston Oilers retired jerseys: Hall of Famer Elvin Bethea, #65 and Dan Pastorini, #7. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
(From left) Hall of Famer Elvin Bethea, Buzz editor Joni Hoffman and former Oilers player Harold Bailey. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Former Houston Astros bat boys and longtime fans Alan Guttman and Bruce Elfant. Bruce, Travis County Tax Assessor Collector and Voter Registrar, drove in from Austin to attend Domecoming. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
(From left) Sylvia Cardenas, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Joe Siff, Randy McKinney. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Fans were all smiles inside the dome. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Suzie Daum (middle), with dad Lawrence Finger (on left) and husband Steve Daum (on right) were in line for hours but said it was worth the wait for sentimental reasons. Suzie's mom, Nancy Finger, was a huge sports fan and the family were season ticket holders for both the Astros and the Oilers. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Buzz editor Joni Hoffman with former Buzz photographer and friend Carol Andrews at Domecoming. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Lines were wrapped around the building for hours before, during and after Domecoming. No one seemed to mind the wait. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Buzz editor Joni Hoffman kicking back in the original Astrodome seats. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
A look at the crowd inside the Domecoming event. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
A couple takes a selfie with the dome in the background. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Fans proudly admired the Houston Astros World Series trophy. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Buzz editor Joni Hoffman with the players' bench signed by Earl Campbell and Dante Pastorini in 1991. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Many felt nostalgia for those iconic Astrodome seats. These rows are the only ones left. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
A fan takes a selfie with the Commissioner's Trophy in the background. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Mayor Sylvester Turner all smiles with Buzz editor Joni Hoffman. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
(From left) Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and Joe Siff. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Marybeth and Tom Flaherty (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Susan Zimmerman Rosen in front of the Astrodome reminiscing about when she used to work at AstroWorld. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Suzie Daum and Joni Hoffman toasted with Dome Faux’m from 8th Wonder Brewery. They reminisced about the last time they were in the Dome together for the 1978 Houston Oilers pep rally. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Tickets for Domecoming were free, but sold out within two hours. Lines were wrapped around the building. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
A look at the fans waiting for the Domecoming event. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
A 1966 postcard displaying a crowd leaving the Astrodome. On the back, it reads: “A capacity crowd leaving Houston’s fabulous Astrodome. The world’s first domed Stadium. Hence the nickname, the 8th wonder of the world."

Phoebe Tudor, Welcome Wilson, Sr., Welcome Wilson, Jr.

Astrodome Conservancy chair Phoebe Tudor with Welcome Wilson Sr., also on the Astrodome Conservancy Board, and Welcome Wilson Jr.
(Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

(From left) Fans Michael Lombardino, Maricela Arrendondo, Andrew Kogut (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

SCORE! Buzz editor Joni Hoffman was thrilled to meet former Houston Oilers quarterback Dante Pastorini. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

(From left) Former Houston Oilers players Carel Stith, defensive tackle and Garland Boyette, linebacker. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

A replica of the Astrodome in 1965. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Ericka Bagwell, Phoebe Tudor, Donae Chramosta

(From left) Ericka Bagwell, Phoebe Tudor and Donae Chramosta. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Barbara Hauser, an original Spacette, wearing her uniform, being interviewed by KTRK reporter Pooja Lodhia. Barbara was at the Astrodome Opening Day 53 years ago. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Barbara Hauser, an original Spacette, reminiscing with her husband Harris. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Houston Oilers retired jerseys: Hall of Famer Elvin Bethea, #65 and Dan Pastorini, #7. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Elvin Bethea, Joni Hoffman, Harold Bailey

(From left) Hall of Famer Elvin Bethea, Buzz editor Joni Hoffman and former Oilers player Harold Bailey. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Former Houston Astros bat boys and longtime fans Alan Guttman and Bruce Elfant. Bruce, Travis County Tax Assessor Collector and Voter Registrar, drove in from Austin to attend Domecoming. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Sylvia Cardenas, Ed Emmett, Joe Siff, Randy McKinney

(From left) Sylvia Cardenas, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Joe Siff, Randy McKinney. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Fans were all smiles inside the dome. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Suzie Daum (middle), with dad Lawrence Finger (on left) and husband Steve Daum (on right) were in line for hours but said it was worth the wait for sentimental reasons. Suzie's mom, Nancy Finger, was a huge sports fan and the family were season ticket holders for both the Astros and the Oilers. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Buzz editor Joni Hoffman with former Buzz photographer and friend Carol Andrews at Domecoming. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Lines were wrapped around the building for hours before, during and after Domecoming. No one seemed to mind the wait. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Buzz editor Joni Hoffman kicking back in the original Astrodome seats. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

A look at the crowd inside the Domecoming event. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

A couple takes a selfie with the dome in the background. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Fans proudly admired the Houston Astros World Series trophy. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Buzz editor Joni Hoffman with the players' bench signed by Earl Campbell and Dante Pastorini in 1991. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Many felt nostalgia for those iconic Astrodome seats. These rows are the only ones left. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

A fan takes a selfie with the Commissioner's Trophy in the background. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Mayor Sylvester Turner all smiles with Buzz editor Joni Hoffman. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

(From left) Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and Joe Siff. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Marybeth and Tom Flaherty (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Susan Zimmerman Rosen in front of the Astrodome reminiscing about when she used to work at AstroWorld. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Suzie Daum and Joni Hoffman toasted with Dome Faux’m from 8th Wonder Brewery. They reminisced about the last time they were in the Dome together for the 1978 Houston Oilers pep rally. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Tickets for Domecoming were free, but sold out within two hours. Lines were wrapped around the building. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

A look at the fans waiting for the Domecoming event. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

A 1966 postcard displaying a crowd leaving the Astrodome. On the back, it reads: “A capacity crowd leaving Houston’s fabulous Astrodome. The world’s first domed Stadium. Hence the nickname, the 8th wonder of the world."

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