Idaho National Guard Armory
The Idaho National Guard Armory in Boise, Idaho, is an unreinforced, poured concrete building designed by Tourtellotte & Hummel and constructed in three phases beginning with a 1-story section in 1931. The building includes a drill hall large enough for equestrian events and a 2-story office area completed in 1956. The facade is minimally decorated and features Art Deco elements, including a cornice of stepped concrete bands, projecting pilasters, and zigzag patterning.[2]
Idaho National Guard Armory | |
Idaho National Guard Armory in 2019 | |
Location | 801 Reserve St., Boise, Idaho |
---|---|
Coordinates | 43°36′51″N 116°11′02″W |
Area | less than one acre |
Built | 1931 |
Built by | Jordan, J.O. |
Architect | Tourtelotte and Hummel |
Architectural style | Art Deco |
MPS | Tourtellotte and Hummel Architecture TR |
NRHP reference No. | 99000253[1] |
Added to NRHP | February 26, 1999 |
History
The armory replaced a wood frame building at S 10th and W Borah St, acquired by the National Guard in 1921 in response to the National Defense Act of 1920.[3] The former building was at the site of what is now Jack's Urban Meeting Place (JUMP).[4]
In 1931 the first section of the armory was constructed by local contractor J.O. Jordan at 801 Reserve St in an area of Boise known as Krall's Third Addition.[5] The building housed Troop E, 116th Cavalry, the 116th Engineers, and Battery B of the 148th Field Artillery. The building measured 62 feet by 182 feet, a large enough space for horses, trucks, tractors, and other equipment.[6] In 1936 the second section of the armory was constructed, measuring 180 feet by 180 feet, large enough space to accommodate 1200 spectators.[7][3] The facilities were improved in 1940.[8] In 1956 the third and final component of the armory was constructed by K.H. Matthews. The section included 2-story wings for office space on either side of the main entry constructed in 1936.[9]
By 1971 the building was no longer in use as a National Guard facility, and it was renovated and occupied by the Idaho Department of Public Assistance.[10] The City of Boise later acquired the site, and it was sold to J & M Land, LLC, in 2012. The building has remained vacant since 2012.[11]
See also
References
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
- Heidi Ingram (June 11, 1997). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Idaho National Guard Armory". National Park Service. Retrieved January 23, 2019. With accompanying pictures
- "Crews Break Ground Today for Armory". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. October 27, 1931. p. 1.
- "JUMP". Jack's Urban Meeting Place. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
- "Council to Pay Cost of Fixing Seventh Street". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. November 3, 1931. p. 7.
- "Work Underway on First Unit of New Armory". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. October 29, 1931. p. 3.
- "Guard Armory Nearly Ready". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. November 1, 1936. p. 6.
- "Armory Project Approved". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. June 19, 1940. p. 6.
- "Matthews Firm Is Low Bidder for ING Armory". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. April 25, 1956. p. 5.
- "Gem Office on Welfare Will Move". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. May 28, 1971. p. 40.
- "Its grounds are 'fantastic' for affordable housing. But Boise armory is stuck in limbo". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. September 23, 2018.
External links
- Media related to Idaho National Guard Armory at Wikimedia Commons
- Reserve Street Armory, Armory Advisory Group
- Idaho National Guard
Further reading
Svingen, Orlan J., The History of the Idaho National Guard (Idaho National Guard, 1995)