(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Thirty years after the old Chicago Stadium closed and was replaced by the United Center, rare copies of the stadium's original architectural drawings have been found.
After being found in a file cabinet at an estate sale in the south suburbs, the architectural drawings went to Sammy Berk.
He owns New World Cartographic in Bridgeport, which specializes in old maps and drawings.
"They're the only known example of these plans. As far as we know, these are the only surviving paper documents of the original plans of the Chicago Stadium," Berk said.

In addition to the Bulls and Blackhawks, Berk said Chicago Stadium hosted lots of events including concerts, political conventions and the 1932 NFL championship game.
"It was the first indoor football game ever played between the Chicago Bears and the Portsmouth Spartans, which later became the Detroit Lions. The NFL championship game on 80 yards inside the Chicago Stadium," Berk said.
Berk said it didn't take long to find a new owner for the drawings.

They were bought by the Blackhawks for an undisclosed price.
The drawings will be on display at Berk's shop by appointment only for a limited time. You can find a link to more information about the drawings and how to view them on the New World Cartographic website.
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