Stop 2 Springfield Experience Walk

The Springfield Armory was built in 1895
for the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia.
The building was designed by architects
Robert Wait and Amos Cutter from
Boston, who were responsible for many
county courthouses and state buildings in
Eastern Massachusetts in the late
Nineteenth Century. It was significantly
renovated in 1914-1915 and a new, larger
drill shed was added.

While the Armory's principal use was for
the training of soldiers, it also held
community events such as fairs, youth
activities and concerts. After the
Massachusetts National Guard vacated
the building in the 1970's it became
home to the South End Community
Center, an important fixture in the
neighborhood that offered activities such
as basketball and boxing, karate training,
classrooms, and youth development
programs.

Theodor Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Suess, was born
across the street. The castle-like facade is
thought to have been an inspiration for
many of the buildings in his books.

A tornado in 2011 caused severe
damage and the drill shed was torn
down. The truss over the plaza behind the
building evokes the former drill shed
structure.

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Show me all markers in:  Springfield, MA  |  Hampden County  |  01105  |  Massachusetts  |  United States of America

YWCA
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Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Building
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