December 12, 2011 in City

Then & Now: Armory building

National Guard space also held concerts, dances
 
Tags:Armory Buildingphotosthen and now
Photo archive photoBuy this photo

1957: Reconstruction of the 161st Infantry Regiment armory had been completed. Exterior changes included a tan stucco finish, aluminum windows and steel rolling doors.
(Full-size photo)(All photos)

The cavernous state armory building at 202 W. Second Ave. in downtown Spokane, built in 1909, once housed the Washington National Guard. Historian Carolyn Hage Nunemaker writes that it was also the venue for concerts, dances and sporting events before the Spokane Coliseum was built in 1954. Spokane opera singer Patrice Munsel gave a benefit concert there for the Red Cross in 1943, just after she signed a contract with the Metropolitan Opera Company. The building hasn’t been used as an armory since 1977.

On the Web: Find more historic photos with present-day comparisons at spokesman.com/then-and-now.

– Jesse Tinsley

Recent stories in City
Two comments on this story so far. Add yours!

  • WillyPeter on December 12 at 5:45 a.m.

    This grand old building was a popular place for teen-age boys in the 50’s and 60’s. Any week-end day,when the “basketball court” was not being used for military activities, pick-up teams could remove street shoes and play one-another…..all day long. The doors were always open.

    I have good memories of playing with, and against, guys from LC, NC, G-prep….who mostly lived within walking distance of the Armory. Walking a couple of miles was pretty much routine then………:-) And we used the bus a lot (even for dating!).

  • BigE on December 12 at 11:17 a.m.

    I like your comment WP, days gone by. My Mom say’s the 50’s were the best, I was lucky emough to grow up in the 60’s & 70’s, I miss Grandpa.

You must be logged in to post comments.
Please create a profile or log in here.