In early 1932, plans for a large concrete stadium with a capacity of 25,000 persons was presented to the Mid-South Fair Association with the promise that if it were built, efforts would be made to land "big-time events of the tennis world".
On July 17, 1932, the Memphis Park Commission gave tentative approval for a 25,000-seat stadium to be created at the Fairgrounds.
Funding for this Depression-era project was achieved when, on December 16, 1933, a 3-acre (12,000 m2) athletic field was approved by state and federal Civil Works Authority and construction was completed in 1934.
By August 1934, the scope of the project had been increased to include a cinder running track and lighting consisting of six 80' towers each holding eight 1000-watt lamps, enabling night football to be played.
The decision was made to remove the wooden bleachers on the south side of the field, replace them with concrete 46 rows high and increase capacity to 15,000.
City engineer Will Fowler was placed in charge of the project and stated at the time that he envisioned further expansion by creating a bowl which would seat 30,000.
Funds were acquired from the WPA for this new lighted field which Mayor Watkins Overton said would help take pressure off Crump Stadium by giving events with smaller attendance a new venue.
1939 saw more expansion and renovation as the north side wooden bleachers were demolished and concrete stands were erected.
In 1940 a 600-seat section was added in the southwest corner along with a new separate entrance and toilet facilities for blacks, allowing those citizens access to the stadium for the first time.
In November 1962, the City Commission approved spending of $1.4 million to increase capacity to over 45,000 and a contract was awarded.
The outer brick wall, original gates and entrances were retained and the name remains "Crump Stadium."