Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fort Homer W. Hesterly National Guard Armory
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Tampa, Florida |
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| NRHP reference No. | 13000852 |
| Added to NRHP | October 23, 2013 |
The Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory is a really old building in West Tampa, Florida. It's located on North Howard Avenue. This building was first built for the U.S. military. It housed groups like the Florida National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve. These groups are part of our country's defense.
The armory was built in the 1930s. This was during a time called the New Deal. The New Deal was a plan by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to help people find jobs. The armory was officially opened right after the Pearl Harbor attack. This was a very important event in history. The National Guard used this armory until 2005.
After many years, the armory became too old for military use. So, officials decided to replace it. They announced plans for a new, bigger facility in 2001. This new place would be in Pinellas Park. It would replace three older buildings, including Fort Hesterly. The new building cost a lot of money to build. It opened in February 2005. It was named the C.W. "Bill" Young Armed Forces Reserve Center.
Because of its long history, the armory was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013. This means it's an important historical site.
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A Place for Fun and Games
Even while it was a military building, the armory was also a popular spot for entertainment. Many concerts and sports events happened here.
Famous Performers and Speakers
In 1955, the famous singer Elvis Presley performed at the armory. This was part of a big music tour. A photo from his performance here is even on the cover of his first album!
Lots of other famous people also performed here. These included Tom Jones, The Animals, James Brown, and Buddy Holly. Bands like the Allman Brothers, Pink Floyd, the Doors, and The Ramones also played concerts.
Important leaders also visited the armory. President John F. Kennedy gave a speech here in 1963. This was just a few days before he passed away. The civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. also spoke at the armory.
Sports and Other Events
The armory was also a place for sports. The South Florida Bulls men's basketball team played some of their home games here in the 1970s.
It was also a big place for professional wrestling. Many exciting matches were held here. Famous wrestlers like Dusty Rhodes and Jack Brisco competed.
Besides big events, the Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory also hosted many graduations and weddings. It was a true community hub.
What's There Now
The armory building has a special Art Deco style. After the military left, it took ten years to find a new use for it. People had many ideas for the old armory. Some thought it could be a film studio or a sports complex. Others suggested a hotel or homes.
In 2016, the building got a huge makeover. It cost $30 million to renovate! Now, it is the Bryan Glazer Family Jewish Community Center. This was made possible by a big donation from Bryan Glazer. Today, it is home to the Tampa Jewish Community Center & Federation. It continues to serve the community in a new way.
