Oklahoma's National Register of Historic Places

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ID Number SG100004739
Historic Name OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY
Description of Significance THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY IS ELIGIBLE FOR LISTING IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES UNDER CRITERION A AT THE STATE LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE FOR MILITARY AND ECONOMICS AND UNDER CRITERION C AT THE STATE LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE FOR ARCHITECTURE. COMMONLY UNDERSTOOD AS A FEDERAL NEW DEAL PROJECT, THE ARMORY IS IN FACT A SYMBOL OF GOVERNOR ERNEST WHITWORTH MARLAND’S “LITTLE NEW DEAL” AND WAS FINANCED SOLELY BY STATE FUNDS. ADJUTANT GENERAL CHARLES FRANKLIN BARRETT AND MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM SHAFFER KEY, TWO LEADING FIGURES IN THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD, HAD LONG ARGUED FOR THE NECESSITY OF ARMORIES IN OKLAHOMA. THE CRISIS OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION TRANSFORMED THEIR ARGUMENTS INTO ACTION AS STATE LEADERS RECOGNIZED THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF ARMORIES COULD PROVIDE ECONOMIC RELIEF AND OPPORTUNITY FOR OKLAHOMANS. UPON ITS COMPLETION IN 1938, THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY IN OKLAHOMA CITY PROVIDED A VALUABLE TRAINING SITE FOR MEMBERS OF THE FORTY-FIFTH INFANTRY DIVISION AND SERVED AS A PUBLIC MEETING SPACE FOR OKLAHOMA CITY RESIDENTS AND OKLAHOMANS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. LISTED 2 DECEMBER 2019.
Current Name SAME
Address 200 NORTHEAST 23RD STREET
City OKLAHOMA CITY
County OKLAHOMA
Lot 1-3, 10-12
Block 7
Current Section
Township
Range
Type BUILDING
Historic Function DEFENSE: ARMS STORAGE
Current Function VACANT/ NOT IN USE
Area Significance 1 MILITARY; ECONOMICS
Area Significance 2 ARCHITECTURE
Date Prepared MAY 2019
Year Built 1938
Original Site YES
Architect/Builder ARCHITECT: BRYAN W. NOLEN; BUILDER: CHARLES A. DUNNING CONSTRUCTION
Architectural Style EARLY MODERN MOVEMENT: STREAMLINE MODERNE
Roof Material MEMBRANE
Wall Material BRICK
Window Material STEEL
Door Material ALUMINUM
Decorative Details
Condition GOOD-EXCELLENT
Comments LISTED IN NATIONAL REGISTER 12/02/2019
Restricted