Armories Sites

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted substantial improvement work at the historic Commonwealth Armory. The facility was demolished in 2002. The details—including description, Official Project Numbers, total costs, and sponsors—of more than a dozen W.P.A. projects undertaken at the armory can be found in the DoD Heritage Assessment cited below.

From Missouri Armories: "This armory was built as a WPA project and incorporates many aspects of the WPA modern style inside and out, but the stylistic features are somewhat extreme and could not be considered typical of the are deco style. This is illustrated in the two pillars flanking the main entrance and the lack of geometric interpretation." Occupied 1939-ca. 2000.

The Works Progress Administration built the Company F, 140th Infantry Armory in Poplar Bluff MO. From "Missouri Armories": "By July 1940, forty-two men were employed on the armory project, building 6000 large blocks for the outside walls on the front lawn of the building site." Currently owned by the Poplar Bluff school district and used as a maintenance building.

Also known as the 174th Regiment Armory, the Connecticut Street Armory was 'overhauled' by federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) labor.

This WPA armory was constructed in 1939. It now houses J.R.'s Archery.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted multiple improvement and development projects at the former Cranston Street Armory in Providence, Rhode Island. Projects included: "paint and varnish armory," "install wall board, finish interior, and paint mess hall," "construct garage and repair shop," "improve armory," "construct parking ground and motor park," "various repairs to armor," and "repair sidewalks and roof, and paint."

The Works Progress Administration built the National Guard Armory in Darlington IN in 1938. Presently, (November 2021) it serves as a community center.

"When the Great Depression hit in the 1930s, Franklin Delano Roosevelt used landscape and park projects to provide relief and hope for America. The second great period of park building occurred during this ten year period when the CWA and WPA work teams focused much of their attention on our "City Park" building the Rose Garden, bathhouse, wading pool, bandstand, and the stone armory, now known as Fort Decatur Recreation Center." (decaturparks.com)

The WPA conducted extensive work at former Delaware Ordnance Depot, located on the west side of Route 130 about halfway between Penns Grove and Pedricktown. Many buildings and much of the infrastructure from the time is still extant. WPA projects at the old Ordnance Depot included: "Improve buildings and grounds by constructing magazines and rail facilities, barracks, dispensary, offers and non‐commissioned officers quarters, roads, sidewalks and utilities, landscaping; and performing appurtenant and incidental tasks." Official Project Number: 713‐2‐19 Total project cost: $900,000.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Delaware Ordnance Depot, and War Department "A non‐construction project to improve and rehabilitate buildings, public utility systems, water supply and gypsy...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the Dixie Bibb Graves Armory in Montgomery in 1935. The structure was named after Dixie Graves, the first female senator to represent Alabama, and wife of Governor Bibb Graves. A WPA grant for the armory was secured through the lobbying of Governor Bibb Graves, Mayor Bill Gunter, and Alabama Senator Hugo Black. Today the structure serves as the Armory Learning Arts Center. The armory was designed in “Streamline Modern Style” and followed a plan produced by architect Earl G. Lutz, which served as a basic plan prototype for all thirty-six armories built in Alabama.

A former armory quartering the Durham National Guard, what is now the central civic center in downtown Durham, North Carolina  was constructed between 1935 and 1937 by the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) It was converted to a civic center circa 1954.

"In 1936, Edmond was allotted $45,000 to build a National Guard Armory. The WPA built this sandstone building, designed by Colonel Bryan Nolan, on the southeast corner of Stephenson Park."

The Works Progress Administration built an armory in Elba, Coffee County circa 1937. The exact location and condition of the structure is unknown to the Living New Deal.

The WPA was responsible for the demolition of Elmwood Music Hall in Buffalo, NY in September 1938. The building, which previously served as an armory, was located at the northeast corner of Elmwood Avenue and Virginia Street. "The building was declared unsafe and condemned in February, 1938. Edward and Mary Seaton Kleinhans had already left a bequest in 1934 expressly for the construction of a new music hall. Music performances were held at the Buffalo Consistory (Cansisius High School) for the next two years while the Kleinhans Music Hall was being constructed on Pennsylvania Street."

Emporia, Virginia's historic National Guard armory building was constructed with federal funds and labor. The building, presently owned by Greensville County, also served as a school gymnasium. It has housed operations for the local chapter of the Boys & Girls Club of America since the late 1990s. Local sources state that the armory was constructed in 1936 by the Army Corps of Engineers and was "built to last." According to a National Register of Historic Places registration form: "The Emporia Armory ... is located at the northernmost edge of the historic district. ... This building is 11 bays wide and is two...

"The Enid Armory, located at 600 E. Elm Avenue is a two-story red brick building, constructed as a WPA project in 1936. At the time, it was the third largest armory in Oklahoma. It is the only armory built using red brick. This building has been used to train soldiers for World War II and Korea. It was targeted by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission in 2005, as one of the 58 armories to be closed within the next five years. Currently, a new Armed Forces Reserve Center is being built at Vance Air Force Base in Enid. This Center...

"Built in 1935 and finished in 1937, this building continues to house a unit of the Oklahoma National Guard... Construction began in November of 1935 on the Armory. The building was constructed of quaried of native sandstone. The architecture created a feel of a fortress. Relief stone work created the Seal of the United States over the doorway. Major Bryan W. Nolen of the Oklahoma National Guard, was the architect of the Eufaula Armory and the standardized plans for all the armories throughout the the state created under the WPA. Nolen created standard plans for one-unit, two-unit and four-unit armories for the...

National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: "The Fifth Regiment was the first armory built by the State for the National Guard. ... The original structure cost $450,000 to build and had a barrel vault roof over the drill hall floor, which was apparently finished with sheet metal. After a series of damaging fires, the roof and interior of the entire building were completely destroyed by an uncontrollable blaze in 1933. Wyatt and Nolting were recalled to the site to rebuild all but the exterior shell of the first floor and balcony. Operating under tight budget constraints ($1.4 million was...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) completed construction of the former National Guard Armory in Falls City, Nebraska. "edicated on December 11, 1936. It was converted in 1972 to a City Hall and is currently the Falls City fire station."

The Works Progress Administration built an armory in Florence, circa 1937. The armory was called Fort Willingham. The armory was demolished in 1981.  A historical marker at the site reads, "The United States flag that flies at the base of this hill stands as a sentry over the site that was the home of Fort Willingham Armory from 1937-1979. The Armory was named after Dr. Henry J. Willingham, president of Florence State Normal School, and later, Florence State Teachers College for 25 years. In addition to its military functions, the Armory also served as the focal point for community sporting events and...

"The Flushing Armory is a historic National Guard armory building located in the Flushing section of the New York City borough of Queens. It is a brick and stone castle-like structure built in 1905–1906, designed to be reminiscent of medieval military structures in Europe. ... Throughout the armory's history it has been used for the National Guard, as a homeless shelter, and a gymnastics center. It is currently used by the New York City Police Department's Queens North Task Force." The WPA provided resources to conduct repairs at the Flushing Armory (14th Infantry Armory) in Flushing during the 1930s.

Originally constructed as an armory, what is now the Fort Decatur Recreation Center was constructed in 1938 with federal funds. The building "was designed by Carolyn Cortner Smith, Alabama’s first licensed female architect." Living New Deal believes the Works Progress Administration (WPA) provided support for construction of the armory.

"Fort Homer W. Hesterly is a historic building at 522 North Howard Avenue in the West Tampa section of Tampa, Florida. An art deco style building. It took ten years to find an occupant for the building, once a premiere venue. It is now home to the Tampa Jewish Community Center & Federation. Performers have included Elvis Presley, U.S. President John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., Tom Jones, The Animals, James Brown, Buddy Holly, Andy Griffith, Pink Floyd and the Doors. Many graduations and weddings have been held at the Fort. The National Guard used the armory until 2005. The...

The Works Progress Administration built an armory in Mobile, circa 1937. The structure still serves as the Alabama National Guard Armory.

The WPA provided resources to conduct repairs at the Franklin Avenue Armory in the Bronx during the 1930s. The armory was then home to the 105th Field Artillery (Second Battery). The National Guard utilized the building until 1988, at which point it was sold to the City of New York. WPA Official Project No. 65-97-378.

The Works Progress Administration built the Fremont Armory in Fremont OH in 1936. Originally a National Guard Armory. Presently (January 2022) Armory Vintage Market.

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) built the George J. Perry Memorial Armory in St. Marys KS between 1941 and 1943. In the early 1940s, plans for a new armory in St. Mary estimated costs at $55,000, most of which would be covered by the WPA. Ground was broken in April 1941, and that first summer construction employed 65 men. With the advent of World War II, however, work slowed and costs rose. By the time work was actually completed in 1943, the WPA had disbanded and there were only nine "silver-and gray-haired men" left on the project. Dedication ceremonies were held...

"The first building built under the "Civil Works Administration" was the Naval Armory. Constructed on the site of the temporary gym that burned in 1931, the Armory Building was a "no-frills" building. The building was to serve the Atlanta Naval Reserve, the Georgia Tech Naval ROTC unit, and the Communication Reserve of the U. S. Navy. By February of 1934, the foundations were almost completed and all of the labor for this project was being supplied by the Civilian Works Administration." The building was demolished in 1980 to make way for the Edge Athletic Center building.

The historic Brattleboro Memorial Armory in Brattleboro, Vermont, also known as the Gibson-Aiken Center, was improved by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). WPA Project No. 65‐12‐942

The Prescott National Guard Armory was built from 1936 to 1939 by the relief workers of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Today, it is called the Grace Sparkes Activity Center and the Prescott Parks and Recreation offices are located on the lower floor. The former armory is a large building constructed of reinforced concrete that was meant to provide a large interior hall for drills.  The exterior is sheathed with cut native stone. Sandstone lintels are used over windows set deeply into the walls. The front entrance features a medieval style gate over the double doors and different color and pattern of stone...

The historic Grant Street Armory in Mount Holly, New Jersey was the recipient of WPA efforts: "Replace sewer connection at Armory building on Grant Street" work. The armory was located behind the historic prison. WPA Official Project Number: 65‐22‐1352

The Works Progress Administration built an armory in Greenville circa 1938. The structure is currently used as the Butler County Extension Office. The front has been altered to add a portico, but the structure of the original armory and fenestration remain visible. Newspaper items indicate the construction was completed "first of the year" in 1937 although it was still under construction April 1937. The supervisor of construction was Marion Riley.

The Guntersville Armory was constructed in 1936 under President Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration. The project was a collaboration between the WPA and the Public Works Administration. The armory was constructed to house Company E of the 167th Infantry of the Alabama National Guard. Our local congressman, Joe Starnes, a member of the Armed Services Committee, was very influential in a national armory construction program. His perseverance led to the construction of numerous armories across the country as well as our own. After its completion in 1936, the armory was used for drills, training, and classroom instruction. President Roosevelt called the Guard to...

KY.gov: "The first armory in Harlan was constructed ... by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). ... The building is located in Sunshine, across a bridge and next to the railroad tracks outside downtown Harlan. The building is a two-story poured concrete building with attached drill hall. The front of the armory has been painted green, and a handicapped-accessible ramp was added to the front of the building in 1996. The walls are 12 inch thick and steel-reinforced, and the facade has elements of the Art Deco style around the entrance, with its linear lines and vertical, stepped ornamentation. The building still...

The Works Progress Administration built the historic former Inland Naval Armory, also known as the Heslar Naval Armory. According to historian Glory-June Greiff, " the stunning WPA-built Naval Armory, the work of architect Ben H. Bacon, has graced the bank of the non-navigable White River since before its dedication in October 1938.  At the time of that first publication, the glorious Art Moderne building still somewhat served its original function and was gloriously intact outside and in, including the over-the-top nautical decor of the Officers’ Mess.  The interior was originally fitted with a simulated navigation bridge and many other accoutrements of a naval...

"The Hominy Armory is a single story building measuring 257 feet x 141 feet. It was constructed between 1935 and 1937 by the Works Progress Administration. It originally housed the Hominy National Guard."   (wikipedia) As of 1994 it was still in use as a National Guard Armory, but it now houses the town's police and fire departments.

The Hyattsville Armory is a historic National Guard armory built in 1918 and located in Hyattsville, Maryland. "The building is patterned after a medieval English castle and built of native stone, with rectangular turrets flanking the arched limestone entranceway." (wikipedia) A “Microfilmed Index to WPA Projects" in the National Archives describes the WPA as improving and repairing the Armory in 1935. (Note: It is not entirely clear whether the index refers to completed or only to planned projects, but all listed projects had received presidential approval, the last administrative step before a project proceeded.)

The old Wailuku Armory was constructed with New Deal funding, according to local sources. Further details and confirmation of this is needed. The Iao Intermediate School took over the building in 2003 after extensive renovations.  The three-story building now houses 11 classrooms, administrative offices, a library and dining center, all enclosed and air-conditioned. (Honolulu Advertiser)

"Though designed and partially constructed in 1931, the minimalistic Art Deco structure was substantially enlarged under the Works Progress Administration. This construction included the central, vaulted cavalry drill hall and the administrative offices housed in the two-story front section. It was built for nearly $60,000, and when completed, was the largest armory in the state. Later additions were built in 1956, and the National Guard occupied the structure until it was sold to the State of Idaho in the mid-1970s and later purchased by the City of Boise." https://www.preservationidaho.org

"The Rockford Armory is one unit of a program to house adequately the National Guard of the State of Illinois. Up to 1938, 15 armories had been constructed in the State and at a present three more are under construction in the Chicago area. The building at Rockford has over-all dimensions of 246 by 183 feet, and it has a total floor area of 69,840 square feet. The drill hall, 180 by 120 feet, has a balcony seating 1,000. It also is provided with a stage, 26 by 57 feet, and around the drill hall are clubrooms, general...