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Summary
La Crosse Armory
2219 South Avenue, La Crosse, La Crosse County
Date of Construction: 1902
Architect: C.F. Struck
The La Crosse Armory is a two-story brick Romanesque Revival style building that was designed by local architect C.F. Struck and constructed in 1902 as the stables for the John Gund Brewing Company. In 1921, the John Gund Brewing Company leased the stable building to the Wisconsin Army National Guard which used it as an armory and occupied the building until 1960.
The armory itself is comprised of red brick laid in a variation on English Garden Wall Bond, with five rows of stretchers to one row of headers. The primary façade features stepped parapet walls at the corners and the central bay, a feature repeated on the other sides of the building. Large segmentally arched window openings dominate the first story of the primary façade; the remaining window openings are rectangular with segmental, radiating, arched brick tops. Other decorative details include brick corbeling along the roofline, a limestone water table, limestone keystones, brick and limestone voussoirs, and limestone dripstones, window sills, lintels, and belt courses.
The La Crosse Armory is significant for its 40 year history with the Wisconsin Army National Guard and reflects the era after World War I when the role of the National Guard became increasingly important in national defense. The National Guard was established as an equivalent to a state militia, ensuring a cadre of regular and trained citizen-soldiers who were available and could be mobilized quickly in national emergencies. The Wisconsin Army National Guard moved into the building in 1921, when nationally, National Guard armories were being established in urban areas. National Guard units stationed at the La Crosse Armory served in World War 1 (prior to occupying the Armory), World War II, the Korean War and other conflicts. The Armory was also a gathering place for the community hosting both military and non-military activities including balls, National Defense programs, shooting contests, food and clothing drives, holiday parcel post, and other recreational activities. The National Guard remained until 1960 when they moved to a purpose-built Armory in Onalaska, Wisconsin. The current plans are for the building to be rehabilitated for housing.
Property Details
Resources Within The Property
Designations
State & National Registers of Historic Places
The State Register and National Register recognize buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects that are significant in national, state, or local history. The State Historic Preservation Office in conjunction with the National Park Service maintains the list for Wisconsin and makes the data available to the public for research and education.
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