http://hockey.ballparks.com/NHL/NewYorkRangers/1stoldindex.htm "Madison Square Garden I"] on Ballpark.com The site was vacant until 1874 when it was leased to P. T. Barnum who converted it into an open oval arena 270 feet long, with seats and benches in banks, which he named the Great Roman Hippodrome where he presented circuses and other performances.