Cranston Street Armory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Cranston Street Armory
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The Cranston Street Armory in 2012
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| Location | Providence, Rhode Island |
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| Built | 1907 |
| Architect | William R. Walker & Son |
| Part of | Broadway-Armory Historic District (ID74000047) |
| Added to NRHP | 1974 |
The Cranston Street Armory is a very old and important building in Providence, Rhode Island. It was built in 1907 and cost a lot of money back then. For many years, until 1996, the Rhode Island National Guard used it. This is a group of trained soldiers who help in emergencies.
Since then, parts of the building have been used for making movies. Some offices inside are also used by the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal. This is the main fire safety office for the state. In 1997, a group called the National Trust for Historic Preservation said the Armory was one of "America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places." This means it was a very important building that needed help to be saved. Its special yellow bricks, castle-like towers, and fancy stone designs make it a famous building in the neighborhood.
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History of the Cranston Street Armory
The Cranston Street Armory was designed by a company called William R. Walker & Son. Michael J. Houlihan was the builder. The building has a strong steel frame. It has a huge open main hall and two tall towers. The entire building is very large, with lots of space inside. The main hall alone is as wide as two football fields!
After World War I, many different military groups used the Armory. These included the 243rd Coast Artillery and the 103rd Field Artillery Brigade. Later, the 43rd and 118th units also used it.
The Armory has also been a movie set! Parts of the films Outside Providence (1999) and Underdog (2007) were filmed here. The large open areas were perfect for special effects using a bluescreen. You might have seen this used to put actors in different backgrounds.
For several years, the Armory was also a popular place for sports. The Rhode Island Interscholastic League held indoor track and field events there. This included state championships and the Brown Invitational track meet.
Challenges and Changes for the Armory
In 1981, the main hall of the Armory had to be closed. There were problems with the building's structure, meaning it wasn't safe for large public events. The National Guard, who owned the building, didn't have enough money to fix it. The building was old and needed a lot of repairs.
Around 1990, the military groups that used the Armory moved to other locations. The Field Artillery units went to another armory in Providence. The Military Police units moved to an armory in Warwick.
In 1996, the State of Rhode Island took over the building. The National Guard moved out the next year. For a short time, the Armory was used as a sound stage for movies. This happened after the state offered tax breaks to encourage filming in Rhode Island.
In 2004, there was a plan to get money to fix up the Armory. People voted on it, but the plan did not pass. In recent years, the building has still been used for some events. These include car shows, special parties, and home shows. Today, the office of the state fire marshal is in a small part of the building. The main hall is mostly used for storage.
The building still needs a lot of work. In 2014, Governor Chafee said the state would reduce its renovation plans. A state Senator then suggested adding more money to the state budget for repairs.
In January 2015, the mayor of Providence, Jorge Elorza, held his special inauguration party in the building. A few weeks later, the Providence Preservation Society named the Armory one of the "Most Endangered Properties" for that year. It has been on this list many times.
The Broadway–Armory Historic District
The Cranston Street Armory is so famous that it gave its name to the area around it. This part of Providence's West End is often called the "Broadway–Armory Historic District." Many businesses in the area are also named after this building. Most of the buildings in this district were built between 1840 and 1920.
Dexter Training Ground: A Historic Park
The Armory stands at the southern end of a park called Dexter Training Ground. This land was given to the City of Providence by a man named Ebenezer Knight Dexter. He wanted it to be used for military training. The Training Ground was used as a camp and drill field during the Civil War. An important group, the 14th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery Regiment, trained here. This was the first Black military company from Rhode Island to serve in the Civil War.
In July 1917, American soldiers, sometimes called doughboys, camped at Dexter Training Ground. They were getting ready to go to Europe for World War I.
Today, Dexter Training Ground is a busy neighborhood park. It has a playground and is a popular spot for people walking their dogs or just enjoying a stroll. A statue of Ebenezer Knight Dexter stands at the northern end of the park.
In July 2020, Mayor Jorge Elorza held a ceremony in Dexter Training Ground. He signed an order to start a "truth-telling and reparations process" in Providence.
Images for kids
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The Cranston Street Armory in 2012
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Soldiers getting ready at Dexter Training Ground in 1917.
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Armory Park, also known as Dexter Training Ground.
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Statue of Ebenezer Knight Dexter.
