Moorhead in Clay County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
National Guard and Armory
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2024
1. National Guard and Armory Marker
For over 100 years, local men and women have served their country and community through service in the Minnesota National Guard. Members have been called to federal service in combat and support roles during World War 2, the Korean Conflict, in the Balkans in 2003 and the Iraq War. They have also helped their neighbors through natural disasters such as the 1919 Fergus Falls tornado and the 2009 Red River flood.
In 1918, over 100 area men volunteered for service in a local National Guard unit. In early 1919, the federal government established Moorhead-based Company F, 6th Infantry, Minnesota National Guard. Company F men drilled in the Concordia College gymnasium until 1923 when state and local authorities built an armory at 904 Center Avenue.
By the early 1930s, Company F needed a new facility. In 1934, the Public Works Administration, a Depression-relief agency, built a new Armory at 220 5th Street South.
As the Guard's needs changed, units and unit designations changed. In March 1947, the Moorhead unit became Company H, 136th Infantry.
In 1989, the current Armory opened. Today, it's home to Headquarters and Headquarters
this page online
Moorhead City Council and Human Rights Commission Adopted Land Acknowledgement: We collectively and with gratitude acknowledge the sacred land the City of Moorhead is built upon. We acknowledge the people who have resided here for generations and recognize that the spirit of the Dakota, Ojibwe, Mιtis and all Indigenous Communities permeates this land. The contribution of the Indigenous people shall not be forgotten nor will the success that is achieved by the People of the land. We will continue to educate, advocate, honor and unite for Indigenous people of this land.
Erected by HDR Foundation; River Keepers; Moorhead, Minnesota; and Historical & Cultural Society of Clay County.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Disasters • War, Korean • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list.
Location. 46° 53.441′ N, 96° 45.982′ W. Marker is in Moorhead, Minnesota, in Clay County. It is on 15th
Ella Hawkinson Collection, Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County
2. Marker detail: Moorhead's first Armory, 904 Center Avenue, 1923
After a rainstorm flooded the Armory's basement, a new Armory was built in 1934. This building has since been an automobile dealership and an event center.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: In Honor of Those Who Have Served in Defense of Our Country (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Homestead Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); John Bergquist (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Bergquist Cabin (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Ford Building (approx. 1.2 miles away in North Dakota); First Lutheran Church & Cathedral of St. Mary (approx. 1.2 miles away in North Dakota); The First Bridge over the Red River
2nd Battalion, 136th Infantry Collection, Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County
3. Marker detail: Moorhead's second Armory, 220 5th Street South
This facility served the local Guard from 1934 to 1989. In addition, the building hosted concerts, dances and other community events. In February 1959, rock-and-roll star Buddy Holly was killed in a plane crash while on his way to play a concert in the Armory.
Also see . . .
1. Armory Event Center.
Excerpt: The Armory was home to the first National Guard Armory in Moorhead from the early 1915 to the early 1930's. The building was used for drills, training, storage, and meetings. Its grand opening dance was on September 2, 1922. The original Armory was sold "as-is" in the mid-1930s and was later used as an auto dealership until around 2008. It then sat empty...until now after the completion of a complete remodel of the building. Come take a look inside.(Submitted on February 25, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry.
Excerpt: The 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry Regiment, is a Minnesota Army National Guard battalion headquartered in Moorhead. The 2-136 IN (CAB) combines the efforts of its mechanized infantry and armor companies to execute tactical missions as part of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division. There are 5 major(Submitted on February 25, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)units in the 2-136 IN (CAB): Headquarters and Headquarters Company in Moorhead and Fergus Falls, A Company in Bemidji and Detroit Lakes, B Company in Crookston and Thief River Falls, C Company in Wadena, and I Company located at Camp Ripley Training Center.Courtesy US Army Institute of Heraldry4. Marker detail: 136th "Bearcats" InsigniaThe 136th Infantry Regiment traces its history back to the 2nd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. After the Battle of Mill Springs, Kentucky, a Confederate officer was quoted as saying "Those Minnesota boys fight like bearcats." The nickname stuck. The Regiment's insignia features a bearcat. Rex Montis means King of the Hill. In 2016, Moorhead honored the 136th by renaming part of 15th Avenue North "Bearcat Way."
3. The Music Died On A Snowy And Frigid February Night in 1959.
Excerpt: The group was scheduled to perform at the Moorhead, Minnesota, Armory. Buddy Holly decided to charter an aircraft that would fly to Fargo, North Dakota, just across the border from Moorhead... Surprisingly, the Winter Dance Party Tour continued, as scheduled, the next night in Moorhead, Minnesota with Waylon Jennings replacing Buddy Holly on lead vocals. A local singer, 15-year old Robert Velline also performed with a couple of high school classmates. Velline later became famous as Bobby Vee.(Submitted on February 26, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2024
5. National Guard and Armory Marker
Looking northeast from 15th Avenue North; the present-day Moorhead National Guard & Armory is obscured by trees in the background.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2024
6. Minnesota National & Armory Moorhead (present-day building)
Roers website entry
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Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 424 times since then and 141 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 25, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
