Wagoner Armory Explained

Wagoner Armory
Location:509 E. Cherokee St., Wagoner, Oklahoma
Coordinates:35.96°N -95.3708°W
Built:1937-1938
Architect:Nolen, Bryan W.
WPA
Architecture:Works Progress Administration
Added:May 20, 1994
Area:less than one acre
Refnum:94000490

The Wagoner Armory, also known as National Guard Armory, was built in 1938 by the Works Progress Administration in order to make jobs for unemployed workers in the area. The Oklahoma National Guard used the building since it was built, until it was abandoned along with 58 other armories in the state of Oklahoma after they were ordered to be closed in 2006 by the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission.

The Wagoner Armory, like many other armories, was contaminated with lead from bullets fired in their underground rifle ranges and from asbestos. The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality cleaned the facility up as part of its Site Cleanup Assistance Program.

The municipal government of Wagoner, Oklahoma took over ownership on October 22, 2009.[1]

The city is not exactly sure what their plans are for the armory but they are thinking about letting different groups use it, such as some senior citizen groups.[2]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=11273738 Ownership of Wagoner Armory Set to Be Transferred
  2. "Wagoner officials not sure how to use armory," Muskogee Phoenix, November 22, 2007 (accessed May 26, 2010).