Architect James H. Gow NRHP Reference # 78000860 Added to NRHP 18 December 1978 | Built 1913 Architectural style Castle Opened 1913 | |
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Similar Calvary Episcopal Church, Downtown Golden, Rocky Mountains, Geneva Glen Camp, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb | ||
One of the most unusual landmarks of its region, the Colorado National Guard Armory, known commonly by locals simply as the Armory, was built in 1913 by the Colorado National Guard as an armory, quarters, mess hall and auditorium for the Guard's Company A of Engineers. When it was completed in 1914, the Company was housed in this building's second and third floors while the first-story garden level was available for rental to the public. The Armory's original uses included: Golden's Post Office (northeast first-level storefront); photo shop (northwest first-level storefront); barracks, mess hall, weapons storage and drill hall (second level); auditorium (third level); and map room (tower). In subsequent years the building served in part or whole as a hotel, offices, industrial bank, and student housing. During the influenza epidemic of 1918 the building became an emergency hospital for ill patients used by the Red Cross, and in 1933 it became the local headquarters of the Civil Works Administration, the federal depression era agency which created several area improvements. Today the Armory serves as Colorado School of Mines student housing with offices and shops.
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Cobblestone Castle
The Armory was designed by prominent area architect James H. Gow, originally in a design that was meant to be made of brick. However, cost-cutting measures led the Guard to switch the building to a free and plentiful local resource, cobblestone, which would make the building more distinctive and famous. 3,300 wagonloads weighing 6,600 tons were hauled by Lawrence W. Billis from Clear Creek to this site, and as it rose some locals predicted it would collapse. However, it has remained standing for over 90 years to this day.