Beckley in Raleigh County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

First Armory (1923 - 1961)

1. First Armory (1923 - 1961) Marker

Inscription. Constructed in late 1903, privately owned and state rented, it housed Beckley's two National Guard units. The facility proved increasingly inadequate. Units relocated to the new Eisenhower Drive armory-field house in October 1941. The first armory was purchased by Raleigh General Hospital and demolished in February 1963.

Erected 2023 by Raleigh County Historical Society; City of Beckley.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Notable Buildings • Science & Medicine. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1963.

Location. 37° 46.3′ N, 81° 11.373′ W. Marker is in Beckley, West Virginia, in Raleigh County. It is on Park Avenue just west of Granville Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 215 Park Avenue, Beckley WV 25801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s New River Gorge.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jon McBride (here, next to this marker); King’s Daughters / Raleigh General Hospital (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chris Sarandon (about 800 feet away); Sudden Death from the Skies (approx. ¼ mile away); Spanish Influenza Hospital (approx. ¼ mile away); We Will Never Forget. (approx. 0.3 miles away); Alfred Beckley (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of First State Police Headquarters (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all

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markers in Beckley.

Jon McBride / First Armory Dual Plaques image. Click for full size.

October 25, 2023

2. Jon McBride / First Armory Dual Plaques

Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2023, by Merle T. Cole of Daniels, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 302 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 18, 2023, by Merle T. Cole of Daniels, West Virginia. 2. submitted on October 26, 2023, by Merle T. Cole of Daniels, West Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

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