Squadron A Armory Explained

Madison Avenue Facade of the Squadron A Armory
Location:Madison Avenue between 94th and 95th Streets, New York City
Coordinates:40.7861°N -73.9542°W
Built:1895
Architect:John R. Thomas
Added:March 24, 1972
Refnum:72000877
Designated Other2 Name:New York City Landmark
Designated Other2 Date:October 19, 1966
Designated Other2 Abbr:NYCL
Designated Other2 Link:New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
Designated Other2 Number:0181
Designated Other2 Color:
  1. FFE978

The Squadron A Armory is a former United States Army armory and was the home base of Squadron A. It took up the whole block between Madison Avenue and Park Avenue, between 94th and 95th Street. It was therefore also known as the Madison Avenue Armory. A surviving part of the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Madison Avenue Facade of the Squadron A Armory and is a New York City landmark.

A stone plaque with the squadron's cry "Boutez en avant!", translated variously as "Press forward!" or simply "Charge!", is located on the wall at Madison Avenue.[1]

History

The building was built in 1895 by a New York City contractor named John F. Johnson.[2] It was constructed with red bricks, featuring massive walls with towers. It also included about 100 horse stalls to house Squadron A's horses.[3]

The building was partially demolished in the 1960s; however, an emergency action from the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, which designated it a landmark, stopping the demolition of the Madison Avenue facade. That facade was later added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. When the eastern building was rebuilt, it was done in a style similar to the original.

List of units stationed at the Squadron A Armory[4] !Unit(s) stationed!Years
Troop A1889–1894
Squadron A (Troops 1 and 2)1895
Squadron A (Troops 1, 2, and 3)1896-1897
Troop A, New York Volunteer CavalrySpanish American War
Squadron A (Troops 1, 2, and 3)1899–1906
Squadron A (Troops 1, 2, 3, and 4)1907–1910
1st Cavalry (1st Squadron)1911
1st Cavalry (Troops A, E, F, and G)1912
1st Squadron (Troops A, B, C, and D)1913
Squadron A1914–??

Usage

Today, the eastern and central part of the site are used by Hunter College High School and Elementary School as the schools' main campus. The outline of some of the former walls is lined with trees.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History – Squadron A . 2023-08-14 . en-US.
  2. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Registration: Madison Avenue Facade of the Squadron A Armory. Stephen S. Lash. July 1971. New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. 2011-03-25.
  3. Web site: Squadron A Armory Historic Districts Council's Six to Celebrate. 6tocelebrate.org. 2019-09-23.
  4. Web site: New York City Madison Avenue Armory - NY Military Museum and Veterans Research Center. dmna.ny.gov. 2019-09-23.