St. Peter Armory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Peter Armory
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The St. Peter Armory from the northwest
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 419 S. Minnesota Avenue, St. Peter, Minnesota |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1912–13 |
| Built by | Ole Fredricksen |
| Architect | James F. Denson |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 96001558 |
| Designated | January 9, 1997 |
The St. Peter Armory is an old building in St. Peter, Minnesota. It was built a long time ago, between 1912 and 1913. This armory is special because it's one of the oldest ones still standing in Minnesota. It was also the first armory in the state that the government actually owned.
The building has a cool design called Gothic Revival. It looks a bit like old castles but is simpler. This design shows how buildings for the National Guard started to change. They went from looking like strong forts to having a more welcoming style. The St. Peter Armory was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. It's important for its architecture, military history, and its role in the community.
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Why the Armory Was Built
The St. Peter Armory was built because of a law called the Militia Act of 1903. This law helped organize the National Guard and made it more like the regular army. It also provided money to train soldiers and build armories.
A few years later, in 1911, Minnesota decided to build more armories. They planned to build three new armories each year. The state government set aside $15,000 for each new building. Cities like St. Peter helped pay for the construction too. Before this, most armories were paid for by cities or through donations.
Armory Design and Style
Many armories built before World War I looked like old castles. This style, called Medieval Revival, was popular for armories since the 1880s. It made the buildings look strong and fortress-like.
However, in the early 1900s, architects started to change their ideas. They wanted armories to look less like forts and more like regular community buildings. The St. Peter Armory is a great example of this change. It has some of the old castle-like features but also newer, simpler elements. James F. Denson designed the armory, and Ole Fredricksen built it.
How the Armory Was Used
The first military group to use the St. Peter Armory was Company K of the Second Infantry Regiment. This unit was part of the Minnesota National Guard. They served during the Border War in 1916–1917 and later in World War I.
After the World Wars
After World War I, the Minnesota National Guard changed its organization. The St. Peter Armory became home to Company D of the 205th Infantry Regiment. Between the two World Wars, the National Guard in Minnesota was called to help more than thirty times. During World War II, the St. Peter unit went to the Aleutian Islands.
After World War II, the National Guard changed again. The St. Peter unit became a Service Battery of the First Battalion. They were called to duty during the Korean War.
A Community Hub
The armory was not just for military training. It was also a very important place for the community. Military clubs and the local American Legion group met there. For about 65 years, the armory was one of the main places in St. Peter for social events and fun activities.
Many different events happened at the armory. There were trade shows, big meetings, and sports events. People also went there for dances, roller skating parties, and educational classes.
Outgrowing the Building
Over time, the local National Guard unit became too big for the St. Peter Armory. After World War II, the average size of Guard units grew a lot. Also, the military started using much larger equipment. Because of this, the Guard eventually replaced most of its older, smaller armories like the one in St. Peter.
The National Guard used the St. Peter Armory until about 1983. That's when a new, bigger armory was finished on the north side of the city. After the Guard moved out, the old armory became an office for a company that made sports equipment. The St. Peter Armory was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
