Photos: 20 years ago, Three Rivers Stadium came crashing down

It took just 19 seconds for a colossal Pittsburgh sports landmark to collapse.

It was a cold Sunday, Feb. 11 — 20 years ago — that a demolition crew reduced Three Rivers Stadium to a heap of rubble and twisted steel.

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The rubble of Three Rivers Stadium towers over passersby Sunday, Feb. 11, 2001 on the North Side.

The home of the Steelers and Pirates had been rendered obsolete by the pair of stadiums now flanking the aging concrete cylinder.

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Three Rivers Stadium is imploded as the first rounds of dynamite go off.

Crowds of spectators gathered to witness the end of an era.

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Throngs of people gather at Point State Park to get a view of the implosion.

The dual-sport structure had been the epicenter of Pittsburgh sports for 30 years since opening on July 16, 1970.

Courtesy of Pittsburgh Steelers Collection

At the groundbreaking for Three Rivers Stadium, April 1968, Steelers owner Art Rooney kicks a football, while Dan Rooney holds.

Franco Harris’s “Immaculate Reception” happened there on Dec. 23, 1972.

We had some immaculate times at Three Rivers Stadium.#SteelersHistory #ImmaculateReception pic.twitter.com/F5xEbYOd3j

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 12, 2018

The Steelers called Three Rivers Stadium home when they won four of their six Super Bowls.

Roberto Clemente tallied his 3,000th hit within it’s walls on Sept. 30, 1972.

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Pirates organist Vince Lascheid at Three Rivers Stadium on July 5, 1999.

The first World Series night game was played at the stadium on Oct. 13, 1971.

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Former Pirates manager Chuck tanner acknowledges the crowd before the final game at Three Rivers Stadium. Past skippers including Jim Leyland, Chuck Tanner and Bill Virdon joined manager Gene Lamont to deliver the Pirates lineup.

It hosted the World Series in 1971 and 1979 and the All-Star Game in 1974 and 1994.

Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review

Pirates outfielder John Vander Wal warms up in front of the Kiss It Goodbye sign showing zero games remaining during the final game at Three Rivers Stadium.

The Steelers moved a few yards away to their new home at Heinz Field, while the Pirates took a short walk upriver to PNC Park.

Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

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Home plate is rocketed from Three Rivers Stadium to PNC Park after the final game.

Many of the sports fans who gathered along the Allegheny River that morning in 2001 had witnessed greatness in the stadium, and they now came to say farewell.

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Three Rivers Stadium implosion as seen from Point State Park.

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Three Rivers Stadium implosion as seen from Point State Park.

The charges detonated in rapid sequence, and the walls tumbled.

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The implosion of Three Rivers Stadium with the Fort Duquesne Bridge over the Allegheny River.

Nothing happens in Pittsburgh without fireworks.

Steven Adams | Tribune-Review

The implosion of Three Rivers Stadium with the Fort Duquesne Bridge over the Allegheny River.

When the dust settled, the remains were visible.

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Once the dust cloud dissipated, the crumbled remains become visible.

But not everything was hauled away for disposal.

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Joe B. Fleisner (left) and Jared Castine stack seats removed from the stands at Three Rivers Stadium on Jan. 3, 2000, in preparation for the auction of the contents.

Thousands of souvenirs had already made their way into the hands of fans.

Steven Adams | Tribune-Review

Mary Ann Wellener, with the help of her son Paul, places a pair of seats from Three Rivers Stadium on the grave of her husband Paul Wellener III, in Mount Lebanon Cemetery where they hope to have them permanently mounted, Jan. 6, 2001. Mary Ann and her husband were Steelers season ticket holders for 42 years until Paul, 61, passed away that year. The family paid about $800 for the seats at auction.

And Three Rivers Stadium would live on.