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.
Madison Avenue Facade of the Squadron A Armory | |
New York City Landmark No. 0181
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| Location | Madison Avenue between 94th and 95th Streets, New York City |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°47′10″N 73°57′15″W / 40.78611°N 73.95417°W |
| Built | 1895 |
| Architect | John R. Thomas |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000877[1] |
| NYCL No. | 0181 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | March 24, 1972 |
| Designated NYCL | October 19, 1966 |
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.[2]
History
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The building was built in 1895 by a New York City contractor named John F. Johnson.[3] It was constructed with red bricks, featuring massive walls with towers. It also included about 100 horse stalls to house Squadron A's horses.[4]
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.[4] That facade was later added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.[1] When the eastern building was rebuilt, it was done in a style similar to the original.[4]
| Unit(s) stationed | Years |
|---|---|
| Troop A | 1889–1894 |
| Squadron A (Troops 1 and 2) | 1895 |
| Squadron A (Troops 1, 2, and 3) | 1896-1897 |
| Troop A, New York Volunteer Cavalry | Spanish 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 A | 1914–?? |
Usage
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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
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ "History – Squadron A". Retrieved 2023-08-14.
- ^ Stephen S. Lash (July 1971). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Madison Avenue Facade of the Squadron A Armory". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
- ^ a b c "Squadron A Armory | Historic Districts Council's Six to Celebrate". 6tocelebrate.org. Retrieved 2019-09-23.
- ^ "New York City Madison Avenue Armory - NY Military Museum and Veterans Research Center". dmna.ny.gov. Retrieved 2019-09-23.
External links
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Media related to Squadron A Armory at Wikimedia Commons
- Squadron A Armory Ruins and Hunter College High School The City Review
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