Historic California Posts, Camps, Stations and Airfields
Salinas Howard Street Armory
(Salinas Alisal Street Armory)
Extract, Final Inventory and Evaluation of National Register of Historic Places Eligibility of California Army National Guard Armories, Sacramento District US Army Corps of Engineers (2002)
History
The Salinas Armory: A Historical Overview
In 1867, developers Alanson Riker and William Jackson partnered with cattle rancher Eugene Sherwood to establish the town of Salinas. Sherwood, foreseeing the importance of agricultural transportation, offered the Southern Pacific Railroad free land, leading to the opening of a depot in 1872. That same year, Salinas became the county seat of Monterey County and was incorporated two years later.
The agricultural landscape of Salinas Valley evolved from hides and tallow to grains, sugar beets, and beans. After World War I, lettuce, artichokes, and broccoli became major crops, bringing prosperity to the region.
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.
World War II and a Dark Chapter
During World War II, the 40th Tank Company became Company C, 194th Tank Battalion, and was deployed to the Philippines, where it fought until the Japanese occupation in 1942. The armory also served as a processing center for Japanese-Americans during the internment period, a somber reminder of the injustices inflicted upon this community during the war.
After the war, the Salinas National Guard was reorganized in 1947. Since then, local units have participated in various deployments, including flood relief, riot control, and earthquake assistance, underscoring their commitment to serving and protecting the community.
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) signed a 10-year lease 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 Howard Street Armory
(Salinas Alisal Street Armory)
Extract, Final Inventory and Evaluation of National Register of Historic Places Eligibility of California Army National Guard Armories, Sacramento District US Army Corps of Engineers (2002)
History
The Salinas Armory: A Historical Overview
In 1867, developers Alanson Riker and William Jackson partnered with cattle rancher Eugene Sherwood to establish the town of Salinas. Sherwood, foreseeing the importance of agricultural transportation, offered the Southern Pacific Railroad free land, leading to the opening of a depot in 1872. That same year, Salinas became the county seat of Monterey County and was incorporated two years later.
The agricultural landscape of Salinas Valley evolved from hides and tallow to grains, sugar beets, and beans. After World War I, lettuce, artichokes, and broccoli became major crops, bringing prosperity to the region.
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.
World War II and a Dark Chapter
During World War II, the 40th Tank Company became Company C, 194th Tank Battalion, and was deployed to the Philippines, where it fought until the Japanese occupation in 1942. The armory also served as a processing center for Japanese-Americans during the internment period, a somber reminder of the injustices inflicted upon this community during the war.
After the war, the Salinas National Guard was reorganized in 1947. Since then, local units have participated in various deployments, including flood relief, riot control, and earthquake assistance, underscoring their commitment to serving and protecting the community.
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) signed a 10-year lease 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.