The basement rooms provide toilet facilities, a lounge, a handball court, a game room, and a rifle range. There are two floors and a basement in the front section, joined at the back by a large gymnasium and dressing rooms. ![]() It is of monolithic concrete re-inforced with more than 31 tons of steel and its construction is fireproof with the exception of the gymnasium proper which has a wooden floor and a wooden roof. The building is 144 ½ feet long and 141 feet wide across the front. The new structure fills a long felt three-fold need: An armory for adequately housing the city's national guard unit: a gymnasium spacious enough to accommodate large classes and with rooms suitable for teaching vocal and instrumental music: and a community center for social service to the people of the city and its rural neighbors. According to a description published in the April 30 Capital Times, Ralph Immell John Callahan, state superintendent of public instruction, and Guy Sundt, assistant athletic director at the University of Wisconsin, were among the speakers. The Stoughton Armory was officially dedicated on May 1, 1942, in a ceremony attended by 2,000 people. Muth said that Wisconsin's WPA machinery is being geared for "full steam ahead" on all national defense projects. The expansion of work was ordered by Hunter on all WPA construction projects certified by the war and navy departments, it was announced here today by Mark Muth, state WPA administrator. Hunter, WPA commissioner in Washington, D.C. In March of 1941, the Madison Capital Times reported,Īnnual pay increases totaling $12,578 for 83 WPA workers at the Madison municiplal airport and $10,345 for 55 workers at the Stoughton armory - a total payroll increase of $22,923 in Dane county - will result from an immediate expansion of the two projects, authorized today by Howard O. The building will cover a space 129 by 157 feet. Under a Work Projects Administration project, two eight-hour shifts will be employed, in order that the work may be completed as soon as possible. ![]() Work began today leveling the grounds of the old Vea property now owned by the school district, in preparation for erecting Stoughton's new combined school gymnasium-armory community building at a cost of about $150,000. According to the Wisconsin State Journal, The architectural firm was Law, Law, and Potter out of Madison. Construction of the new armory began on January 13, 1941. With war looming, plans evolved and war-related projects were given high priority. The mayor also stated that it may be put through as a WPA project, and that the city will have at least a year in which to complete it. For this, the city will receive a rental $100 a month and will pay for heating, lighting, and water. ![]() It will have a rifle range, two small offices, a vault, and locker room. A new fireproof building of either stone or brick, 37½ x 70, with a cement floor, will be erected near the old Stoughton armory. Mayer Siggelkow explained the plans for new quarters for the Stoughton National Guards, which have received the approval of Adjt. In the NovemMadison Wisconsin State Journal, plans for new quarters to house Stoughton National Guard troops were announced. HistoryĪrchitect's rendering of the Stoughton Armory Southeast corner of the building in 2022 Northeast corner of the building in 2022 Today, it continues to serve as the middle school gym and the host building for many school and community events. Located on the community's "Central Campus," it was a popular site for public dances, lectures, concerts and sporting events. The Stoughton Armory has hosted Stoughton city and school events for more than 80 years. Funding for the labor to build the armory was provided by the Work Projects Administration (WPA). When construction of the building was completed three years later, it included a rifle range, high school band studios, and a gymnasium with a seating capacity of 1,500. ![]() Originally conceived as a home for Stoughton National Guard troops in 1938, the vision grew. Originally, the building was referred to as the "new Stoughton armory" or simply, the "new armory." Later, particularly after the war, it was more commonly called the "Community Building." Recently, it has come to be known as the "Community Gym Building." Constructed in 1941, this poured-concrete art-deco structure is likely one of the strongest buildings in all of Stoughton.
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