Roseburg Oregon National Guard Armory

The Roseburg Oregon National Guard Armory, also known as the Flegel Community Center, is a historic former armory in downtown Roseburg, Oregon, United States.[1] The Roseburg Oregon National Guard Armory served as the main office of the Roseburg National Guard Company from 1914 until 1977.[3] The building became a full-time community center in 1977.[3] The former armory is located at 1034 SE Oak Ave, Roseburg, OR 97470, and situated directly south of the Roseburg Post Office.[4] The armory was placed in the National Register of Historic Places on April 15, 1993.[3]

Roseburg Oregon National Guard Armory
Photograph of a two-story building resembling a castle
The Roseburg Oregon National Guard Armory in 2013
Location1034 SE Oak Avenue
Roseburg, Oregon
Coordinates43°12′31″N 123°20′34″W / 43.208583°N 123.342794°W / 43.208583; -123.342794
Area0.41 acres (0.17 ha)[1]
Built1914 (1914)[1]
Built byJohn Hunter[1]
ArchitectWilliam C. Knighton[1]
Architectural styleTudor Revival, with Vienna Secession and Arts and Crafts details[1]
Part ofRoseburg Downtown Historic District[2] (ID02000661)
NRHP reference No.93000447
Added to NRHPMay 27, 1993

Early history

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The armory was built in 1913 and 1914.[3] The state architect William C. Knighton designed the building, and John Hunter, a local contractor, constructed it.[3] The building construction is in the Tudor Revival style and resembles a fortress.[3] The armory is a two-story building that was constructed with concrete.[3] The property is 0.41 acres.[3] The main purpose was to provide storage for the equipment, and provide guardsmen a place to have drills.[3] The other purposes of the armory was to be a defensive structure and an arms storage for the town of Roseburg.[3] The armory was the noteworthy periods were the years of 1917 and 1943 because the national guardsmen from the Roseberg area were mobilized for both World Wars.[3] In World War I, the national guardsmen of Oregon all became a part of 41st Infantry Division, and mobilized to France.[3] In World War II, the national guardsmen of Oregon again became the 41st Infantry Division, but they mobilized to Southeast Pacific.[3] In 1977, the armory was decommissioned as the Roseburg's National Guard Armory.[3]

Community center

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The former armory became a community center after being decommissioned.[3] The building was renamed to the Flegel Center in 1979.[5] The name came to be to honor Albert E. Flegel.[3] Albert E. Flegel was a World War 2 veteran and a mayor of Roseburg.[3] The community has served as a children's gymnastics studio, a corporate office, an events center, and a basketball court.[6]

Umpqua Community College Student Residence

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In July 2019, The Roseburg Planning Commission announced the approval of Umpqua Community College plans to allow 35 players and coaches to live in the Flegel Community Center.[7][8] Umpqua Community College and Sweetwater Trust agreed to a three-year lease.[6] The announcement of student athletes moving into the Flegel Center allowed students with trouble locating housing a place to settle.[8] On October 3, it was announced that the former armory needed to undergo lead testing.[9] The result meant that the students could not move in on the original date of October 15.[9] In November 2019 it was announced that it is safe for student athletes to live in the center.[10] The building was reconstructed to replicate an indoor baseball practice facility and a living dorm for the student athletes.[11] The major area was renovated to include an artificial-turf carpet, so the players can have batting and pitching practice.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Kadas, Marianne (April 8, 1992), National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Roseburg Oregon National Guard Armory (PDF), retrieved November 12, 2014.
  2. ^ Kadas, Marianne (2001), National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Roseburg Downtown Historic District (PDF), retrieved November 13, 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Roseburg Oregon National Guard Armory". NPS. 1993.
  4. ^ Kamilah, Mirza (February 24, 2020). "Living in the Flegel Center". Umpqua Community College The Mainstream.
  5. ^ "Roseburg Politician dies Al Flegel at 80". The Register-Guard. May 29, 1986.
  6. ^ a b Ehrlich, April (October 3, 2019). "UCC Postpones Housing Project After JPR Inquiry Into Toxic Lead Dust". Jefferson Public Radio.
  7. ^ "CITY OF ROSEBURG PLANING COMMISSION Monday, July 15, 2019 City Hall Council Chambers- 7:00 pm" (PDF). cityofroseburg.org. July 15, 201.
  8. ^ a b Godfrey, Sanne (September 25, 2019). "Umpqua Community College students to move into Flegel Center". The News Review.
  9. ^ a b Godfrey, Sanne (October 3, 2019). "UCC postpones move into Flegel Center, building undergoes lead dust testing". The News Review.
  10. ^ Godfrey, Sanne (November 22, 2019). "Flegel Center deemed safe by specialists, students to start moving in soon". The News Review.
  11. ^ a b Hays, Jim (March 13, 2020). "Play Ball…Again!". Umpqua Life.
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