Chandler in Lincoln County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
National Guard Armory
Chandler, Oklahoma
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 10, 2025
1. National Guard Armory Marker
1938-37
Placed on the National Register of Historic Places
1991
By United States Department of the Interior
Lincoln County Historical Society, 1998
Erected 1998 by Lincoln County Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Military. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.
Location. 35° 42.569′ N, 96° 52.603′ W. Marker is in Chandler, Oklahoma, in Lincoln County. It can be reached from the intersection of Oklahoma Route 66 and East 1st Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 OK-66, Chandler OK 74834, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma Frontier Country. It is also in the American South, specifically on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 1930 Phillips 66 Filling Station, Chandler, Oklahoma (approx. half a mile away); Phillips 66 Filling Station (approx. half a mile away); Flynt Building (approx. half a mile away); Crane Motor Company (approx. half a mile away); Oleson-Crane Building (approx. half a mile away); Wolcott Building (approx. half a mile away); Lincoln County War Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Chandler Brick Paving (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chandler.
Regarding National Guard Armory. Excerpts from the National Register nomination:
On June 20, 1935, The Chandler News-Publicist stated that Chandler was almost assured a new armory. By late August, Captain Louis G. Hurst, commander of the local guard unit, had received the plans for the armory. The city chose to locate the building in the old city park at the juncture of First Streetand U.S. Highway 66.Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 10, 20252. National Guard Armory MarkerThe building now houses a visitor center and the chamber of commerce.
Work on the project began in October 1935 with the quarrying of the native sandstone at the D. Powers farm northeast of Chandler. Ground-breaking for the building was held on November 19, 1935. Although a local newspaper estimated that the armory would be finished by the spring of 1936, it was not completed until the late winter of 1937. On March 1, 1937, the armory was officially dedicated with a community-wide celebration complete with a parade/open house, laying of the cornerstone, a banquet, and a dance with music provided by the WPA swing band from Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
The Chandler Armory served as the home of Battery F, Second Battalion, of the 160th Field Artillery of the Oklahoma National Guard. The armory allowed the unit to achieve a greater level of military efficiency and preparedness as well as providing a secure place for the storage of the unit's equipment. This preparation would become of vital importance with the outbreak of World War II. As a vital component of the 45th Infantry Division, the Oklahoma National Guard was mobilized in September, 1940 and saw active duty in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy.
Also see . . .
1. Chandler Armory. Wikipedia entry:
links to National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (Submitted on May 24, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Oklahoma: Chandler Armory. The WPA built the Chandler Armory in two sections between 1935 and 1937. The eastern half of the building contains offices, locker rooms, truck bays, an ammunition vault, and classrooms. The other half is mostly drill hall. At one end of the hall is an elevated stage, and beneath the stage is a long, narrow rifle range. (National Park Service) (Submitted on May 19, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 169 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 19, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
