Eighth Regiment Armory (Chicago) facts for kids
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Eighth Regiment Armory
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 Location in Chicago metropolitan area
Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3533 South Giles Avenue, Chicago, Illinois |
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| Built | 1914 |
| Architect | J.B. Dibelka |
| MPS | Black Metropolis TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 86001096 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 30, 1986 |
The Eighth Regiment Armory is a really important building located in the Black Metropolis-Bronzeville District of Chicago, Illinois. It was the very first armory (a place where soldiers train and store weapons) in the United States built especially for an African-American military group. This group was known as the "Fighting 8th" and they were incredibly brave.
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A Special Building for Brave Soldiers
The Eighth Regiment Armory was built in 1914. It was a home base for the "Fighting 8th" regiment. This group later became part of the Illinois National Guard. During World War I, they even joined the main US Infantry to fight for their country.
Honoring Their Service
The "Fighting 8th" regiment was very important. A special statue called the Victory Monument is nearby in Chicago. It honors the amazing service of these soldiers during World War I.
From Armory to School
After many years, the armory closed in the early 1960s. For a while, it was used as a public gym called the South Central Gymnasium. But in 1999, something exciting happened! The building went through a big renovation. It was reopened as a public high school military academy. This transformation was so well done that it was recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Today, the building is home to the Chicago Military Academy. It continues to be a place where young people learn and grow, just like the soldiers who trained there long ago.
A Landmark in History
The Eighth Regiment Armory is recognized as a very important historical site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 30, 1986. Later, on September 9, 1998, it was named a Chicago Landmark. It's one of nine special landmark buildings in the Black Metropolis-Bronzeville District.
