Candlestick Park

Why was Candlestick Park built on such a cold, windy site?

According to the book “The Giants of San Francisco,” in 1958, the Giants’ first year in San Francisco, they played their home games in Seals Stadium, which had a capacity of only 18,500. Residents of San Francisco voted in favor of a $5-million bond to help finance a new stadium near downtown. Residents and politicians, in a series of public meetings, couldn’t decide on a location. A local builder, Charles C. Harney, owned most of Candlestick Point--located next to San Francisco Bay, and offered it as the site of the new stadium.

Local citizens were aware of the fog, cold and stiff winds in the area, but Harney convinced many concerned that Bay View Hill would form a natural windbreak. To assuage the fears of the remaining doubters, Harney offered to build heaters throughout the stadium. His proposal was accepted and construction on Candlestick Park was finished in time for the 1960 season. The heaters, however, were never installed.

The original fears of residents proved correct. The wind, fog and cold swept through the stadium most nights. Attorney Melvin Belli, who had bought six season tickets, sued the city to gets his money ($1,597) back, stating: “Even with long underwear and an Alaskan parka, I couldn’t keep warm in Box J, Section 4.”

After a two-day trial, a jury voted, 11 to 1, in favor of Belli.