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CA NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY BUILDING
The Salinas National Guard Armory was built at 100 Howard Street, between Salinas Street and Lincoln Avenue. Construction of the Armory began in 1932 to replace the extant Armory located at the corner of Alisal and Salinas Streets. The first Armory had insufficient space to house personnel and the armored vehicles and tanks required by the 40th National Guard Tank Company, requiring the construction of a larger facility and the move to the current Howard Street location. The 1932 ground breaking ceremonies were attended by Governor James “Sunny Jim” Rolph, Jr. of California.
The National Guard and the Armory
The Salinas National Guard unit, established in 1895, was headquartered in a brick armory built at the corner of Salinas and Alisal Streets. This armory, dedicated in 1896, housed supplies, ammunition, and weapons. The unit played a significant role in maintaining order after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, with members deployed to Golden Gate Park to provide aid and security.
In World War I, the unit was deployed to France. The successful use of tanks in the war led to the establishment of the 40th Tank Company in Salinas, equipped with French-Renault tanks. The company was involved in various events, including the longshoreman's strike and the Folsom Prison Riots, demonstrating the National Guard's role in maintaining civil order.
Due to the company's growth, a new armory was built on Howard Street in 1933. This armory, funded by the city, state, and federal government, was one of the first state-owned armories in California. The new facility was designed to accommodate the growing needs of the National Guard, with space for training, storage, and administrative functions.
A Hub of Community Activity
The Salinas Armory quickly became a central hub for community activities and events. Its spacious assembly hall and stage hosted a variety of gatherings, including dances, concerts, sporting events, and community meetings. Musicians such as Fats Domino, Little Richard, The Platters, and Ike and Tina Turner graced the armory's stage, providing entertainment for the community.
"Oh, it was big time," recalls Ted Ponton, a longtime Salinas resident, reminiscing about the pro wrestling matches, prize fights, and even the Ice Follies that took place at the armory in the 1940s and 50s. "They hosted pro wrestling matches. All fake, but they filled the place," he said. "Then prize fights. That was toward the end of the 1940s and into the '50s."
Anita Gonzales, another resident, fondly remembers attending teen dances at the armory in the late 1950s and early 60s. "It was more a dance party than a concert," she says. "We'd be out on the floor. We'd be dancing fools." These dances were not only social events but also reflected the cultural trends of the time, with girls sporting petticoats, white buckskin shoes, angora socks, and ponytails, while boys styled their hair with pomade.
The Armory's Architecture and Future
The Salinas armory, with its unique Art Deco design, stands as a historical landmark. It features a two-story assembly hall, flanked by single-story wings, and a full-width balcony.
Mark Norris, chairman of the Salinas Historic Resources Board, emphasizes the armory's community value, stating, "It was home to the soldiers who (fought in World War II) in Bataan, and it served as a collection point for the Japanese internment camps. This is a very significant building in Salinas history." The armory's architecture reflects the design philosophies of the era, showcasing the importance and pride of the National Guard's presence in the community.
In 2012, the Salinas Police Activities League (PAL) leased the building to use the armory as its headquarters. PAL, a nonprofit organization, aims to keep children off the streets and provide them with opportunities through sports, education, and cultural programs. John Fair, project manager for the armory's renovation, envisions a bright future for the building: "Absolutely, this building has a future. We're working to bring it back to useable space."
The armory's transformation into PAL's headquarters represents a new chapter in its history, continuing its legacy as a center for community engagement and support.
Salinas City purchased the land using city funds of $40,000 and $10,000 in cash from the community, then gifted the four lots of land to the state. The federal government and the state provided the balance of funds to construct the building. A total of $250,000.
The Howard Street Armory was one of four Works Progress Administration (WPA) construction projects undertaken by the National Guard. The first architect drawing was the sole work of Mervyn Fitch Campbell who was associated with Campbell & Koepp. Campbell
did all of the preliminary work on the plans up to the point were they were turned over to the state architect for approval. Campbell was highly complimented on his work. The Armory is an Art Deco style building that is unique for pre-World War II armories.
Its' steel framed reinforced concrete structure is supported by massive steel trusses. These add visual interest from the center area of the Armory. The two-story ceremonial section features a wooden gymnasium floor (with special shock absorbing mechanisms for marching ease), a stage, and a balcony with eight rows of wooden theatre style seating. Wings on either side of the center area were constructed for offices, restrooms, ammunition storage vault, a tank garage (sally port) was also constructed at the rear of the Armory.
With the onset of World War II, Salinas became a military hub in part due to the proximity of the 2,000 acre Camp Ord (named for Union Army Major General Edward Otho Cresap Ord) and its importance as troop training grounds for Pacific campaigns. The Armory served as a meeting place and was home to the largest 36-inch air raid siren in California. The siren first tested on July 13, 1942 exerted a centrifugal force of 70,000 pounds creating 750 sound vibrations per second. The community rallied around the war effort. The members of the Salinas Women's Club organized bandage rolling efforts at the Armory to support the soldiers in the troop hospitals and in the field, just as they had done in World War I at the former Armory building.
Of the 107 sent to the Philippines, only 47 survived. Salinas was recognized for the highest per capita enlistment record of a city its size in America. Bataan Park was built to memorialize their sacrifices with the placement of a tank and plaque that are now on display at the International Order of Odd Fellows Garden of Memories Cemetery in Salinas. In April of 1946, Company C, 194th Tank Battalion was deactivated in the Philippines, due to the significant loss of life in Bataan.
In 1942, the National Guard Armory served as the processing center for the assignment of Japanese Americans to the Salinas Assembly Center at the Salinas Race Track and Rodeo Grounds. Ultimately, detainees were transported to other west coast camps, many being sent to the Poston Relocation Center. When Poston was closed on November 28th, 1945 many surviving detainees returned home to cities where their land and personal properties often times had been taken from them. Despite this tragic event for Salinas residents, many detainees returned home to Salinas to make major community contributions, especially to local agriculture and flower growing.
John Ernst Steinbeck gathered writing material for East of Eden at the Art Moderne Salinas Californian newspaper building, he played basketball and attended his senior prom at the nearby Troop C Armory building, “where men over fifty . . . snapped orders at one another and wrangled eternally about who should be officers.”
By 1947, the National Guard underwent a reorganization process to the Army National Guard, allowing for the Salinas Armory to retain its function as the Company of the 1st Battalion 149th Armored Unit.
During the 195Os through the 80s, the Armory served a dual purpose as a military facility and a community civic center for entertainment and local functions. Dinner dances, cabaret events, weddings, holiday receptions, bands and shows all took place at the Armory. Famous entertainers such as the Platters and James Brown performed to crowds from the Armory's stage. There were no other venues for community entertainment at this time which made the Armory's role as an entertainment venue important to Salinas residents. In the 1990s, most of the military functions had been transferred to other facilities, including Fort Ord and the Armory remained vacant for an extended period. In July of 2005, Salinas acquired the property with the stipulation that it was to be used as a site for a proposed new police department headquarters. In the interim, a dance and gymnastic company leased the property from the City until a boiler failure in November of 2005, rendered the property unusable.
Public discussion was undertaken as to whether the Armory would be demolished for a new police facility or whether an adaptive reuse of the Armory would be undertaken. On June 24, 2010, Assembly Bill 815 (Caballero) was passed that would enable the Armory to be used as a public building, which expanded the opportunities for use beyond just a police facility. The Salinas Police Activities League (SPAL), in conjunction with the City, undertook a significant project to rehabilitate the building for use as a youth center. Upon completion of the project, SPAL was provided a home for its free programs and a historic resource was preserved through the duration of the SPAL lease with the City of Salinas.
SPAL was founded in 1991 by former Police Chief Dan Nelson. SPAL is a non-profit organization that provides recreational, cultural, social and educational activities for the youth of the City of Salinas. The SPAL program organizes many different annual programs coordinated by police officers and staffed by community volunteers.
SPAL is past 30 years old, serving each year more than 5,000-7,500 children between the ages of 7-18 years old. As the programs constantly expand to meet the changing needs and interest of our City’s youth, SPAL’s goal remains constant to assist young people in developing meaningful and productive lives. SPAL has been notified that their lease with the City may not be renewed. The Armory is currently on a list of city-owned historic properties that are included in the Lincoln Avenue Corridor Development Project that is intended to provide opportunities for development activities which are intended to revitalize the core of downtown and to increase housing in this area.
The National Guard Building is eligible for listing in the California Register of Historic Resources under Criterion One and Three.
Historic Status:
The Armory is important in historic context due to its military history, its ethnic and cultural significance, its architectural style, and its alignment with the historic buildings of Oldtown Salinas.
The 1989 Salinas Historic Evaluation Survey and the subsequent Garavaglia Architecture Inc. 2007 Historic Resource Evaluation of the Armory property has determined that the Armory currently is listed in the California Register of Historic Places.
It is eligible for the National Registry of Historic Places due to its association with World War II, the association with the Armory's role in the Japanese American Internment, and its unique architectural style as a 20th-century state-owned Salinas Armory in the Art Deco style.
The Salinas National Guard Armory was built at 100 Howard Street, between Salinas Street and Lincoln Avenue. Construction of the Armory began in 1932 to replace the extant Armory located at the corner of Alisal and Salinas Streets. The first Armory had insufficient space to house personnel and the armored vehicles and tanks required by the 40th National Guard Tank Company, requiring the construction of a larger facility and the move to the current Howard Street location. The 1932 ground breaking ceremonies were attended by Governor James “Sunny Jim” Rolph, Jr. of California.
The National Guard and the Armory
The Salinas National Guard unit, established in 1895, was headquartered in a brick armory built at the corner of Salinas and Alisal Streets. This armory, dedicated in 1896, housed supplies, ammunition, and weapons. The unit played a significant role in maintaining order after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, with members deployed to Golden Gate Park to provide aid and security.
In World War I, the unit was deployed to France. The successful use of tanks in the war led to the establishment of the 40th Tank Company in Salinas, equipped with French-Renault tanks. The company was involved in various events, including the longshoreman's strike and the Folsom Prison Riots, demonstrating the National Guard's role in maintaining civil order.
Due to the company's growth, a new armory was built on Howard Street in 1933. This armory, funded by the city, state, and federal government, was one of the first state-owned armories in California. The new facility was designed to accommodate the growing needs of the National Guard, with space for training, storage, and administrative functions.
A Hub of Community Activity
The Salinas Armory quickly became a central hub for community activities and events. Its spacious assembly hall and stage hosted a variety of gatherings, including dances, concerts, sporting events, and community meetings. Musicians such as Fats Domino, Little Richard, The Platters, and Ike and Tina Turner graced the armory's stage, providing entertainment for the community.
"Oh, it was big time," recalls Ted Ponton, a longtime Salinas resident, reminiscing about the pro wrestling matches, prize fights, and even the Ice Follies that took place at the armory in the 1940s and 50s. "They hosted pro wrestling matches. All fake, but they filled the place," he said. "Then prize fights. That was toward the end of the 1940s and into the '50s."
Anita Gonzales, another resident, fondly remembers attending teen dances at the armory in the late 1950s and early 60s. "It was more a dance party than a concert," she says. "We'd be out on the floor. We'd be dancing fools." These dances were not only social events but also reflected the cultural trends of the time, with girls sporting petticoats, white buckskin shoes, angora socks, and ponytails, while boys styled their hair with pomade.
The Armory's Architecture and Future
The Salinas armory, with its unique Art Deco design, stands as a historical landmark. It features a two-story assembly hall, flanked by single-story wings, and a full-width balcony.
Mark Norris, chairman of the Salinas Historic Resources Board, emphasizes the armory's community value, stating, "It was home to the soldiers who (fought in World War II) in Bataan, and it served as a collection point for the Japanese internment camps. This is a very significant building in Salinas history." The armory's architecture reflects the design philosophies of the era, showcasing the importance and pride of the National Guard's presence in the community.
In 2012, the Salinas Police Activities League (PAL) leased the building to use the armory as its headquarters. PAL, a nonprofit organization, aims to keep children off the streets and provide them with opportunities through sports, education, and cultural programs. John Fair, project manager for the armory's renovation, envisions a bright future for the building: "Absolutely, this building has a future. We're working to bring it back to useable space."
The armory's transformation into PAL's headquarters represents a new chapter in its history, continuing its legacy as a center for community engagement and support.
Salinas City purchased the land using city funds of $40,000 and $10,000 in cash from the community, then gifted the four lots of land to the state. The federal government and the state provided the balance of funds to construct the building. A total of $250,000.
The Howard Street Armory was one of four Works Progress Administration (WPA) construction projects undertaken by the National Guard. The first architect drawing was the sole work of Mervyn Fitch Campbell who was associated with Campbell & Koepp. Campbell
did all of the preliminary work on the plans up to the point were they were turned over to the state architect for approval. Campbell was highly complimented on his work. The Armory is an Art Deco style building that is unique for pre-World War II armories.
Its' steel framed reinforced concrete structure is supported by massive steel trusses. These add visual interest from the center area of the Armory. The two-story ceremonial section features a wooden gymnasium floor (with special shock absorbing mechanisms for marching ease), a stage, and a balcony with eight rows of wooden theatre style seating. Wings on either side of the center area were constructed for offices, restrooms, ammunition storage vault, a tank garage (sally port) was also constructed at the rear of the Armory.
With the onset of World War II, Salinas became a military hub in part due to the proximity of the 2,000 acre Camp Ord (named for Union Army Major General Edward Otho Cresap Ord) and its importance as troop training grounds for Pacific campaigns. The Armory served as a meeting place and was home to the largest 36-inch air raid siren in California. The siren first tested on July 13, 1942 exerted a centrifugal force of 70,000 pounds creating 750 sound vibrations per second. The community rallied around the war effort. The members of the Salinas Women's Club organized bandage rolling efforts at the Armory to support the soldiers in the troop hospitals and in the field, just as they had done in World War I at the former Armory building.
Of the 107 sent to the Philippines, only 47 survived. Salinas was recognized for the highest per capita enlistment record of a city its size in America. Bataan Park was built to memorialize their sacrifices with the placement of a tank and plaque that are now on display at the International Order of Odd Fellows Garden of Memories Cemetery in Salinas. In April of 1946, Company C, 194th Tank Battalion was deactivated in the Philippines, due to the significant loss of life in Bataan.
In 1942, the National Guard Armory served as the processing center for the assignment of Japanese Americans to the Salinas Assembly Center at the Salinas Race Track and Rodeo Grounds. Ultimately, detainees were transported to other west coast camps, many being sent to the Poston Relocation Center. When Poston was closed on November 28th, 1945 many surviving detainees returned home to cities where their land and personal properties often times had been taken from them. Despite this tragic event for Salinas residents, many detainees returned home to Salinas to make major community contributions, especially to local agriculture and flower growing.
John Ernst Steinbeck gathered writing material for East of Eden at the Art Moderne Salinas Californian newspaper building, he played basketball and attended his senior prom at the nearby Troop C Armory building, “where men over fifty . . . snapped orders at one another and wrangled eternally about who should be officers.”
By 1947, the National Guard underwent a reorganization process to the Army National Guard, allowing for the Salinas Armory to retain its function as the Company of the 1st Battalion 149th Armored Unit.
During the 195Os through the 80s, the Armory served a dual purpose as a military facility and a community civic center for entertainment and local functions. Dinner dances, cabaret events, weddings, holiday receptions, bands and shows all took place at the Armory. Famous entertainers such as the Platters and James Brown performed to crowds from the Armory's stage. There were no other venues for community entertainment at this time which made the Armory's role as an entertainment venue important to Salinas residents. In the 1990s, most of the military functions had been transferred to other facilities, including Fort Ord and the Armory remained vacant for an extended period. In July of 2005, Salinas acquired the property with the stipulation that it was to be used as a site for a proposed new police department headquarters. In the interim, a dance and gymnastic company leased the property from the City until a boiler failure in November of 2005, rendered the property unusable.
Public discussion was undertaken as to whether the Armory would be demolished for a new police facility or whether an adaptive reuse of the Armory would be undertaken. On June 24, 2010, Assembly Bill 815 (Caballero) was passed that would enable the Armory to be used as a public building, which expanded the opportunities for use beyond just a police facility. The Salinas Police Activities League (SPAL), in conjunction with the City, undertook a significant project to rehabilitate the building for use as a youth center. Upon completion of the project, SPAL was provided a home for its free programs and a historic resource was preserved through the duration of the SPAL lease with the City of Salinas.
SPAL was founded in 1991 by former Police Chief Dan Nelson. SPAL is a non-profit organization that provides recreational, cultural, social and educational activities for the youth of the City of Salinas. The SPAL program organizes many different annual programs coordinated by police officers and staffed by community volunteers.
SPAL is past 30 years old, serving each year more than 5,000-7,500 children between the ages of 7-18 years old. As the programs constantly expand to meet the changing needs and interest of our City’s youth, SPAL’s goal remains constant to assist young people in developing meaningful and productive lives. SPAL has been notified that their lease with the City may not be renewed. The Armory is currently on a list of city-owned historic properties that are included in the Lincoln Avenue Corridor Development Project that is intended to provide opportunities for development activities which are intended to revitalize the core of downtown and to increase housing in this area.
The National Guard Building is eligible for listing in the California Register of Historic Resources under Criterion One and Three.
Historic Status:
The Armory is important in historic context due to its military history, its ethnic and cultural significance, its architectural style, and its alignment with the historic buildings of Oldtown Salinas.
The 1989 Salinas Historic Evaluation Survey and the subsequent Garavaglia Architecture Inc. 2007 Historic Resource Evaluation of the Armory property has determined that the Armory currently is listed in the California Register of Historic Places.
It is eligible for the National Registry of Historic Places due to its association with World War II, the association with the Armory's role in the Japanese American Internment, and its unique architectural style as a 20th-century state-owned Salinas Armory in the Art Deco style.
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