Address: 218 South Little Street, Cushing, OklahomaCounty: Payne
Started:1935Completed:May 17, 1937
Agencies:WPANRHP:May 20, 1994

Current Usage:

Abandoned

Description:

Construction of the Gushing Armory began in the fall of 1935, within a few months of the creation of the WPA. It was one of three armories to be built in Payne County. Work halted briefly in November while state and federal administrators wrangled over allocation of funds. Once resumed, work continued throughout 1936. During construction, approximately forty men were regularly employed. At times, as many as seventy-five were on the payroll. In January 1937 the Cushing Guard unit was re-designated Company A, 120th Medical Regiment. The change was noted in the construction of the armory as stone plaques engraved “Co A” and “120” were set either side of a caduceus in the stonework over the drill hall stage. The building was completed and dedicated on May 17, 1937, in a ceremony that drew a crowd of 1,500. State WPA administrator General W. S. Key paid tribute to the cooperation of towns such as Cushing with the WPA in the armory building program. Adjutant General Charles F. Barrett noted that, “with these armories the guardsmen have new homes that they can be proud of. They will give us better trained men for now we have better places for our work.”
The completed Cushing Armory was an addition to the community and one in which the town took pride. The building was constructed of the same white sandstone as Payne County’s first armory in nearby Yale, Oklahoma. The Cushing Armory was approximately 140′ x 125.’ It consisted of an administrative section containing offices, classrooms, store rooms, lockers, garages, and an arms vault. Cushing Guardsmen particularly appreciated the secure, fire-proof storage space they previously lacked. The drill hall, 112′ x 83,’ served as a commodious community center with its stage at the north end. The stage concealed a basement gun range where Guardsmen practiced small arms and rifle fire.

At the time of its dedication, the Gushing Armory became the headquarters of the sixty men and two officers of Company A, 120th Regiment.[1]

Sources:

  1. National Register of Historic Places
  2. Landmark Hunter
  3. https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1588737/m1/24/zoom/?q=Yale armory&resolution=8&lat=4651.008645483514&lon=2351.8679294917697

Supported Documents:

  1. National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
  2. Oklahoma Landmarks Inventory Database
  3. Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality Survey

Photos:

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