National Guard Armory – Stillwater

Current Usage:

Description:

The Stillwater armory is a one-story, flat and barrel roofed, navtive stone building built using the architectual plans of Bryan Nolen which was used for most of the armories in Oklahoma. Construction started in October 1935, pulsed in Novemeber on 1935 due to arguments on the WPA funds, and began again in December 1935. With a large drill hall, offices and underground firing range the building could not only be used for Guard activities but as a civic center for the community. The Stillwater armory was one of the last of the 51 initial armories to be dedicated due to a lower unemployment rate and thus it was necessary to advance the project with fewer men the was the case in most cities. The WPA Appropriation for the this project as $30,871 and employed approximately 50 workers during the construction.[2] These dedication ceremonies include a military parade, a dedication ceremony and normally a dance afterwards on the drill floor. William S. Key the director of Oklahoma Works Progress Administration was at most of these dedications and was considered a very important man to speak at these dedications. Stillwaters dedication was on June 4, 1937

Sources:

1. Oklahoma Landmarks Inventory Nomination
2. Allen, Willis F. Payne County News (Stillwater, Okla.), Vol. 45, No. 39, Ed. 1 Friday, May 28, 1937, newspaper, May 28, 1937; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1587889/m1/9/: accessed June 30, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; .

Supported Documents:

1. Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality Survey
2. Oklahoma Landmarks Inventory Nomination 1.
3. Oklahoma Landmarks Inventory Nomination 2.

Photos: