Willimantic Armory

United States historic place

Willimantic Armory

U.S. National Register of Historic Places

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Location| Pleasant St., Windham, Connecticut
Coordinates| 41°42′35″N 72°12′54″W﻿ / ﻿41.70972°N 72.21500°W﻿ / 41.70972; -72.21500
Area| 2.3 acres (0.93 ha)
Built| 1912
Built by| F. D. Kent
Architect| Whiton & McMahon
Architectural style| Tudor Revival, Romanesque
NRHP reference No.| 85002310[1]
Added to NRHP| September 12, 1985

Willimantic Armory is a historic armory building located on Pleasant Street in Windham, Connecticut. It served as a facility for the Connecticut National Guard from 1913 until 1980, when the building was sold to developers who converted the building into apartments.[2]

## History

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In 1909, city officials from Willimantic petitioned the Connecticut General Assembly for funding to construct a modern armory. Despite opposition from a few senators concerned about the expansion of military infrastructure, the bill passed, allocating $50,000 for the construction of a single-company armory. A 300-by-160-foot lot was purchased from Samuel Chesbro for $6,500, and the architectural firm Whiton & McMahon was awarded the design contract. The builder, F. D. Kent, received $32,405 for construction.[2]

The armory originally housed Company B of the 169th Infantry until the 1960s, when it was reassigned to the 248th Engineer Company. The facility remained the home of the 248th until the late 1970s, when a new armory was constructed in Norwich, Connecticut, and the unit was relocated.[2]

Following its closure, the Willimantic Armory was sold to developers who converted the building into apartments, preserving the exterior while renovating the interior, eliminating most traces of the original design.[2]

The armory was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.[1]

## Characteristics

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The Willimantic Armory consisted of two distinct elements, both of red-brick construction. The head house was a two-story, flat-roofed structure surmounted by a high parapet and a blocky tower. The drill shed was a 1+1⁄2-story gable-roofed structure in the rear of the head house.[2]

## See also

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* National Register of Historic Places listings in Windham County, Connecticut

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
2. ^ a b c d e Geoffrey L. Rossano & Mary M. Donohue, Built to Serve: Connecticut's National Guard Armories 1865-1940

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U.S. National Register of Historic Places in Connecticut

Lists by county|

* Fairfield
* Hartford
* Litchfield
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* New Haven
* New London
* Tolland
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Lists by city or town|

* Bridgeport
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Other lists|

* Bridges
* National Historic Landmarks

* Keeper of the Register
* History of the National Register of Historic Places
* Property types
* Historic district
* Contributing property

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Willimantic, Connecticut

Schools and universities|

* Natchaug School
* Eastern Connecticut State University

Landmarks and places|

* Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum
* Main Street
* Windham Town Hall
* Willimantic Freight House
* Jillson Mills
* Windham Textile Museum
* Jillson House
* Jillson Square
* Willimantic Footbridge
* Willimantic Armory
* Willimantic Elks Club
* Prospect Hill

Geography|

* Shetucket River
* Willimantic River
* Hop River
* Natchaug River
* Mansfield Hollow Lake
* Fenton River

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