- National Guard Armory (former) Addition - Duluth MNDuluth's National Guard Armory, built in 1915, received a significant expansion through the Works Progress Administration on the eve of World War II. Minnesota's WPA administrator, Sidney L. Stolte, announced the plans to "increase the size of the building, provide new meeting rooms, and extend the stage easterly" in the fall of 1940. Architect Philip C. Bettenberg drew up the plans. Bettenberg had already designed armories throughout Minnesota, including those in Minneapolis and Brainerd. A rift between the city and state regarding what type of curtain (steel or asbestos) should be used for the stage delayed the project. Construction was further postponed...