Chicago's Lost Castle | The First Regiment Armory

[@marquesjackson95]

I couldn’t help but smile when you mentioned the armory that got turned into a high school. I’m an alumni that’s school and it’s only fitting that it became a military school as well

[@timothystevenhoward]

You should also look at the Springfield IL armory, which was also a big castle, burned and was replaced by a modern armory. We used to go there to watch movies and other events downtown when I was a kid in the early 1980s. Wish I had been around to see the old version.

[@edwardj.1540]

The Kingsbridge Armory built in 1917 still stands today, a magnificent structure. Located in the Bronx NY.

[@davemelton3659]

Video has nothing to with a building in NY..

[@ShysterFraudstein]

@@davemelton3659 He brought it up as a reminder of other structures like this that still exist.

[@davemelton3659]

@@ShysterFraudstein no shit... still has nothing to do with a building in NY..

[@OhioScot]

We had a armory simular here in Cleveland, Ohio. They tore it down in the 1960's to build our federal building which sits on the site.

[@richardrachell21]

Ryan you need to check out the Colosseum ballroom, in Benld, Illinois. it was built in 1923, and apparently was a hang out of the mob, including Al Capone in the 20’s Also a lot of popular musicians played there. 2011 it burnt down.

[@arrjay2410]

The Armory is similar in style, though much more massive, to some Armories I have seen here in Canada.

[@MrStevos]

In the 1950's , before McCormick Place was open, it was very popular as a place for all sorts of events!

[@pilsudski36]

In the early Fifites, this was a Nash dealer, called "Nash in the Armory." Used to see it going downtown on the Jeffrey and Drexel buses.

[@Mr.Schitzengigglez]

Theres one like that in Boston still. Last I knew, it was used as a high end auction house, but that was over 20 years ago...

[@jeffs7707]

Beautiful

[@daveweiss5647]

It is absolutely disgraceful how many of our masterful buildings we have destroyed...

[@charlesrovira5707]

And as *Antarctica* and *Greenland* melt and will flood most of the coastlines where we humans have built our civilizations for the past 12,000 years, we are about to lose *_all_* of these coastal cities, buildings and their content. *_That_* is what is at stake from global warming.

[@avengethis97]

Everything has to be cookie cutter sp we live in Pleasantville. Or is it peasantville

[@JoshSees]

Let's try and figure out a way to make a dome or arch that doesn't work as well as it did forever ago but it looks different

[@jeffreyyoung4104]

It isn't the first time the Earth has been warm, and we can only blame an ice age for ending it the last time!

[@freetolook3727]

I agree but they say new is better. 😂

[@jackthegiantkiller388]

A good story Ryan did not know of this many of these buildings dont exist anymore ,thankyou !

[@damonroberts7372]

Pity this was lost before the trend for adaptive re-use of old building really hit its stride. This had a grandeur that the Aragon Ballroom and the old Ivanhoe theatre-restaurant barely hint at.

[@Mr.Schitzengigglez]

There were so many buildings lost. Even little Concord NH, had a gorgeous train station. Torn down, and replaced with a cinder block mini-mall. Sadly, this happens everywhere.

[@Jason-rn4jk]

It’s crazy to think 1824 was relatively close to 1776 with the amount of people alive that lived through it relative to today with people that fought in Vietnam.

[@MajorMosh710]

Branford Ontario has an armoury that looks like a castle and it’s still up! Looks cool and it overlooks a river

[@josephjohnson9805]

We had several of these armories in Chicago... Kind of spread across the city... The problem with these buildings was the garages were built as horse stables... WW2 and Korean was equipment could be crammed into this area... Equipment became a bit larger during the Vietnam War and there was no longer room for the equipment...

[@cathyt502]

Growing up near Humboldt Park, I believe there's an armory there.... at the corner of Kedzie and North Avenue.

[@timewave02012]

The city in Wisconsin I grew up in had a smaller scale castle-style armory building a few blocks from my parents' house, that was torn down when I was a few years old.

[@drewzero1]

I've read that Menasha, WI had a similar one that was torn down in the 30s. The carved stone with the name was saved and has been incorporated into the sign for the park that now occupies the space.

[@timewave02012]

@@drewzero1 My impression is it was on the Neenah side of Nicolet Blvd. It was definitely torn down in the 80s, though; and the stone is at a nearby park on the Neenah side of the Island, not the same site.

[@StanFilms77]

Great video, like usual on your channel. At 10:42 it shows armory full of late 70s cars , but it's later mentioned that the building was demolished in 1967. Just pointing that out.

[@logix7]

it also notes at the bottom corner, "illustrative example"

[@StanFilms77]

@@logix7 thanks. I did not see that.

[@njh4473]

The Connecticut street armory located in Buffalo New York, is a beautiful piece of history still standing and in use. Great video

[@davidberlant5096]

The Armory near the intersection of Broadway and Thorndale in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago is now used as a Senior Citizen center.

[@razony]

I love armory architecture all across America. Such grand and beautiful structures that were built to last... then we forgot. We got preoccupied by new issues, circumstances that caused us to forget just how precious these things are to our humanities. We always forget.

[@QuantumCairo]

I live in St. Louis and our armory sat closed and abandoned all my life, it has now been retrofit into a bar lol. Ironicallly my mom said it was a bar for a bit when she was younger before shutting down. I guess a bar is better than nothing but eh, kinda silly to me. Id prefer to see it put to better use 😅 maybe a community center for all...something that can service the whole neighborhood...

[@7viewerlogic670]

Great video!

[@Stay_at_home_Astronaut81]

My hometown has a former Armory located downtown. Interestingly, it's bigger than the one shown in the video. There's a Lazer Tag type place on one side, and an indoor rock to climb on the other. The Lazer Tag is rad.

[@danielniemeier1754]

Oh man, I’ve always wondered about this armory! This and the one that used to be on Chicago Ave, where the MCA is now. That one was much more “stylish”.

[@darcybloom-boedefeld5046]

Love getting to see this!

[@murphyrod4839]

I think the Chicago Avenue Armory at 234 E. Chicago Ave. in Chicago is also gone now. And the Naval Armory where the S Curve was, is also gone on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago is gone now also. Both were nice buildings.

[@cornellmiller2315]

We have 1 in Philly 23st Amory

[@PatricioGarcia1973]

at least so far in NY we still have three ( that i know) one in the kingsbridge part of the Bronx, the second in Atlantic ave in Brooklyn (which now is a homelss shelter) and the one in Manhattan that has been restored and is part museum part theatre

[@steelshepherd6843]

Wish I had a building like this...

[@freetolook3727]

Amsterdam, NY National Guard Armory was used up until the 1970's. Now it's privately owned and was a B&B for awhile.

[@jasondiaz8431]

Go through Brooklyn NY. These Armories are a dime a dozen all beautiful all duplicated. None ever open to the public.

[@stephentosterud9375]

It was such a beautiful building. I wish I could have seen it.

[@dickiegreenleaf750]

Sad that buildings only 100 years old here are considered historic compared to 1000 years old in Europe. And they still tear them down for being old.

[@charlesclager6808]

As I understand you this building was originally built at the urging of the upper class in fear of worker uprisings, am I correct ? The subsequent uses are fascinating. It was a magnificent building though and its' ultimate fate was sad. Good video.

[@backachershomestead]

Chicago was totally amazing as to at one time was there. Sad, so much is gone. If it weren't for people like this putting this info out there it would all be lost and forgotten. Or erased from our history as things are these days

[@milkman81]

Well done sir

[@m39fan]

Thank you for recognizing the differences between the State Militia and the National Guard. The National Guard tries to say that they are the original citizen soldiers but before the National Guard was the State Militia or State Guard. We who still serve as State Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen in 24 states and territories deserve to be recognized and not swept to one side by the Feds.

[@bobb1870]

Think about the Kent State protests too.

[@scottchenoweth4937]

You're right. It's so much better that nobody is keeping law and order in Chi-town. It's now a bastion of peace and love in the USA.

[@Gizathecat2]

Ironic!

[@HM2SGT]

By your logic extremes are the only answer. Anarchy and chaos or the boot of the self declared superiors on your neck… Perhaps there is another way? A compromise between the two...? Alas, polarization is the word these days, compromise of statesmanship is a thing of the past. Winning isn't everything - it's the only thing, all or nothing, victory at any price!

[@robertmartinez4174]

as far as demolishing beautiful buildings is concerned, Los Angeles should rank as number #1

[@trainerskulb00d]

Definitely interesting history. Have you considered doing more about the other services, beyond Soldiers? I am sure those in the Army are pleased to hear information about previous Soldiers, but there is definitely lots of history (especially in the Chicago area) with Airman, Seaman, Marine's and even Coast Guard. I am sure you'll find in your pursuit for information, the Guard IS comprised of more than Soldiers (you loosely implied it Guard is comprised of just Soldiers). It's also to help educate people that Soldier is a term strictly for use to referring to someone who is associated with the Army ONLY. I recall a few times being referred to as a Soldier while in my Air Force uniform, seems most just "lump" information into a the word Soldier and instead of using the term like Forces or Troops. Also, I think you'll find it interesting of the presence of the other Forces in the area. Not much of a significant military presence, outside of Great Lakes Naval Station...the Navy Basic Training location. That was one beautiful building, I can see why the Soldiers who served there were proud of it.

[@nukingjapanwasok6265]

There is a corner-stone from this armory made into a memorial in Northbrook, IL

[@kevb3047]

There's a similar design language in the McMansions I see going up around my town

[@LordYngling]

Was a cool building, would have made a nice venue, sure it was built maliciously, but it had style.

[@garycousino]

There was one in Fayetteville NC built from granite, was burned by union troops towards the end of the civil war

[@danseeloff867]

The armory in Niagara Falls NY is for sale for 2.4 million if anyone is interested.

[@TeddyNovak1]

Note that militias and National Guard units are not synonymous. The National Guard can be brought under control by the federal government whereas militias cannot. In most states, all men between 17 and 45 are members of the (unorganized) militia. The Second Amendment was included in the Bill of Rights specifically to recognize, not grant, the right of citizens to defend themselves against tyranny which the founders feared from the federal government.

[@acepilotson3331]

The Hartford Armory is a beautiful similarly designed building.

[@richardbause2453]

Utica, NY's Armory is of very substantial size. So is Buffalo's.

[@lavellsmith8613]

💯💯🔥🔥🔥💯

[@sjTHEfirst]

I’ll bet a lot of Chicago residents wish it was still there to protect them from “peaceful protests”.

[@defaultdriftco00]

1:21 Nebraska National Guard clapping cheeks!🤣

[@mikeseier4449]

I don’t get it?

[@chrisk5437]

The NYS Armory in Poughkeepsie, NY is still standing. Owned by a private company from what I’ve been told

[@barriewright2857]

It's a shame this wonderful piece of social history has gone.

[@crippleguy415]

Auto parts discount store ?

[@agrivoltaics]

It was a national auto parts store that sold a lot by catalog before there was anything that provided auto parts like todays chain store brands do.

[@WAL_DC-6B]

@@agrivoltaics Kind of like Warshawsky & Co. (now J.C. Whitney) which was located at 1916 S. State Street in Chicago.

[@baystated]

A fortress with a glass roof over a wooden floor. What a weak spot.

[@I-Libertine]

Hmm. What kind of 'roof' do you imagine armories of this size and era having? (Details on how they drill by candlelight, please... )

[@anthonylee6322]

There are federal prisons which look like castles.

[@mbryson2899]

Joliet Correctional Center had that vibe as well.

[@waynebender8835]

My friend lived in Chicago and he told me about tower. According to him the tower exists before the Chicago settlement. The Tower was made of stone and had a stone pavement at its entrance. He lived in Chicago in the 1960's. He actually physically seen the Tower and nobody knows who built it. I have try to look up information on it. But so far no luck. I believe my friend. There is no reason to make up something like this. I wonder if you may have better luck locating the tower.

[@Breadfan1280]

Are you referring to the Chicago Water Tower? It's located at 806 N. Michigan Ave. and was built in 1869. It survived the Great Chicago Fire. There is a ton of information on this building.

[@waynebender8835]

@@Breadfan1280 According my friend who lived in Chicago. This tower exists outside of the Chicago settlement. Nobody knew who built it. To me it sounds like a fortification . Similar to the two different structures found on the east coast. Where the English Colonist ask the local tribes who built. There response was it wasn't them. As my friend started. He did see this tower. Over time with Chicago expanded out to the tower. So it became part of the City of Chicago. I can't ask him. He passed away years ago. So it's not part of established history.

[@chrisherman7531]

Just a shame it was destroyed. My dad was a NY State Army National Guard horse cavalry trooper in 1939. His unit was blended into a full time Army artillery unit in 1940....thus ending the Horse Cavalry.

[@jasondiaz8431]

Was he in the 101st Cavalry?

[@matthewklein9225]

In 1890 $20 was a one ounce gold coin. 180,000 ÷ 20 = 9,250 9,250 x $2,000 per oz gold today = 18,500,000 And I doubt that would be enough to rebuild that armory.

[@handyman1957]

I do find it ironic that the rich men that kept stealing wages from the workers turn around and build this massive expensive building like it was to defend it's self from invasion, only to burn down to the ground just 2 years later. And then have to spend all that money again to fix it up again. Would have been cheaper to just treat their workers fair. Makes you wonder if it was arson?

[@edgarcruzsr9695]

It should be standing today as a national landmark.

[@straightto8]

The armory in San Francisco still stands, but in private ownership, part of the building is used to film online pornos.

[@lonnybush5612]

So they built it scare the sheep. Politicians are something!😡

[@Dr.ZoidbergPhD]

WHY DO WE ALWAYS DESTROY BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS!? 😢

[@mr.clownspy3677]

Fuing gua

[@joeanderson9852]

👍👍

[@diegomontoya796]

$6 million today? Is that with handicap ramps elevators changing tables exit lights...

[@mikeseier4449]

And of course unisex bathrooms for the mentally challenged!

[@leobethge6002]

Unlike Europe we destroy our architectural heritage. Makes no sense?

[@nitsudocsicnarf347]

National Guard is not the Militia.

[@jamesskinner7185]

😅was dis before da bros took the Vito over?

[@blotfd]

do you mean the coloureds??

[@fatalberti]

the army wastes money them as it does today; however, modern facilities are utterly unimpressive lacking any character

[@jakeoreilly9627]

Brick S house 🏡

[@Growinggolfing]

It’s crazy how a demographic of a city changes and all of the sudden Chicago is deadlier than a war zone. How long do we allow the destroyers to destroy? At a certain point, the good must rise to fight the evil.

[@joealberti7762]

Chicago, of course has some amazing architecture. This one, however, was squat and ugly. It had a specific function, and without that function became obsolete. Why keep an ugly building? Chicago has lost many fine buildings. This was not one of them.

[@joshuarosen465]

I enjoy your videos but I have one objection. Please don't give inflated prices to the penny, that's ridiculous. Round to the nearest million. Inflation calculations are crude especially over decades let alone centuries. One or two digits is all that's reasonable.

[@kkarllwt]

I am trying to think of what mental deviation would cause a man to read the number of cents in a YT video. More than once. Very, very strange. Rounding to the nearest $100 would be the best choice.

[@taylormoses5884]

Chicago is surrounded by cornfields Depressing city

[@WAL_DC-6B]

I didn't know they could grow corn on Lake Michigan which is on Chicago's east side.

[@Shopsmith10er]

Chicago and it's surrounding metropolitan has over 9.6 million habitants. Approx. 800,000 are illegal aliens. Many there for over 40 years. Chicago and some surrounding towns are unlawfully declared sanctuary cities.

[@BlackPatrick]

Are we really supposed to believe any of this? What a joke.

[@paulradice3534]

Shoddy construction is a lot of the reason these buildings aren’t there anymore. They don’t build them like they used to & it’s a good thing.

[@agrivoltaics]

4 foot thick walls of limestone is shoddy construction?

[@RomanMyshoul85]

Not Castle but Fortress

[@jeremy4375]

So somebody tell us WHY. Get it. Legendary builings that look older than what we've been told have been torn down. WHY?? At this point we have more explanation for UFO in the works.

[@stephenrys7905]

What?