Madison Square Garden (1879)

Madison Square Garden (1879) refers to the second iteration of the entertainment venue of that name, located in New York City. It stood on the east side of Madison Square, at the intersection of Madison Avenue and 26th Street, from 1879 to 1890. This second Garden was converted from the former New York and Harlem Railroad depot, which had been previously occupied by P.T. Barnum's "Great Roman Hippodrome."

Unlike the original, open-air Madison Square Garden, this version was covered by a large roof. While primarily used for entertainment and sporting events, it was considered less grand and more utilitarian than later incarnations. It hosted numerous events, including boxing matches, concerts, circuses, and political rallies.

The 1879 Madison Square Garden was eventually demolished to make way for a new, more elaborate Madison Square Garden designed by Stanford White, which opened in 1890. Therefore, while the name "Madison Square Garden" has been associated with several iconic venues, this specific instance refers to the building that occupied the site for approximately eleven years in the late 19th century. It is often distinguished from other "Madison Square Gardens" by the year of its opening to avoid confusion. Its existence played a significant role in establishing the Madison Square area as a hub for entertainment and leisure activities in New York City.