More on the Newcastle Armory

Hannah Gross
NLJ Correspondent
With Leonard Cash
 
“The Newcastle Armory was the first armory built in the state of Wyoming with state funds. It was erected in pre-war times during the year of 1912,” according to the News Letter Journal’s Half Century Anniversary Edition from 1939. 
After finishing his series on the former city hall building, local historian Leonard Cash decided to continue the “History on Main” series with city hall’s next-door neighbor located on lots 3, 4, and 5, block 9 – the armory. 
“Newcastle has been designated headquarters for the Fourth regiment of the State of Wyoming National Guard,” reported an article probably from around Feb. 26, 1920. The organization was to be known as Company A. 
It was necessary that Newcastle secured 100 enlistments, according to the article. The armory would be “first-class repair,” with officer’s club rooms, enlisted men’s club rooms, regimental officer’s and local officer’s club rooms, regimental officer’s offices and local officer’s offices. The building was to have a drill hall, which was going to be used for drills and dancing, and a rifle gallery for the troops to practice shooting. 
Before diving into the details of Newcastle’s armory, Cash went through his records to give a basic overview of its history.
According to news reports from April 14, 1913, the city bought the land from Lincoln Land Co. and gave it to the state for the purpose of building an armory.  
According to an undated article in Cash’s records titled “National Guard Armory,” the National Guard in Wyoming has been around since 1869, with the one in Newcastle in operation since 1899. The Grand Lodge of Wyoming laid the cornerstone for the armory, which was built with “native area sandstone,” with Special Grand Master Dr. Fred Horton doing the honors.  
“Newcastle’s unit had high marks and had performed very well at the state inspection and was therefore selected to receive the new armory with an appropriation of $15,000,” the article says.  
The building was ready to be occupied in July 1914. It was said to be a great place for fundraisers and dances, including the “Armistice Day Dinner & Dance” where “ex-servicemen, wives, families and sweethearts were invited to dine and dance to Alex Mitich & His Music.” 
In March 1959, the article says that plans were approved to build a new armory in Newcastle. Julien Construction Co. started the project on July 21, 1959, after successfully entering a bid of $219,232. The new building was located on Delaware Street east of the Greenwood Cemetery, and in June of 1960, it was ready for occupancy.  
“Just like its predecessor, the new armory served not only as headquarters for the National Guard unit in Newcastle but also as a community center of sorts,” the article stated. 
In June 1962, Continental Oil Co. bought the former armory building for $18,050. The building was removed, and the armory’s cornerstone now resides at the Anna Miller Museum. The stone composing the former armory was used to construct the Keith Thomson Memorial located at the courthouse. Cash said this is the drinking fountain that sits in front of the building.  
“In April 1997, the Wyoming State Forestry was given control of the armory and have since had offices and equipment in the building,” the article says. While State Forestry still occupies the building to this day, the armory has since been relocated to Gillette, Cash said. 
That gives us the brief outline of the armory’s history. Going back a few decades in Cash’s records, we can begin our more in-depth look at the armory.  
Newspaper records from Feb. 13, 1913, reported that a bill was proposed for creating an armory board for the purpose of constructing an armory in Newcastle. 
“The bill provides that the whole amount of the appropriation of fifteen thousand dollars be used for the building and equipment of the armory and provides that the site be donated by the town or its citizens,” the article says.  
The bill was passed, with the condition that “the furnishing of a site for the erection of the building (be given) to the state free of charge,” meaning that the state would pay for the building, but the land must be donated, according to news reports from Feb. 27, 1913.  
Newcastle Mayor Fakler wired the citizens of Weston County “that a site would be furnished as stipulated.” A meeting was planned for that evening at city hall for the purpose of choosing an adequate location and for raising the money to purchase it.  
Adj. Gen. V.K. Hart was expected to come and inspect the site and consult with the appropriate people about the plans for the building. Construction was to start as soon as possible—once the plans were made and approved, and they had the cooperation of the weather.  
News articles from April 10, 1913, reported that the Board of Control, composed of Adj. Gen. Hart, Maj. Beach and Capt. Andersen, viewed the site for the building and met with the City Council, officially accepting the site in the state’s name.  
Capt. Dubois, an architect who came to Newcastle with Gen. Hart in regards to the construction of the armory for “Company A,” was to draw the plans for the building. It was to be 50 feet by 110 feet, keeping the cost at or under $13,000. 
The front 30 feet of the building was to have two stories and a basement. It would house the company, battalion offices, the company assembly room and the reading and pool and billiard rooms.  
 “The building will probably be constructed of native stone,” the article says. 
According to a report from May 15, 1913, architect C.A. Randall brought plans for the new armory building and submitted them to the Board of Control, which forwarded them to Gov. Carey for approval. However, Dubois’ plans were selected, according to Cash.  
Company A was reported by an article from May 25, 1913, to be the oldest organization of the National Guard in Wyoming. It “expended” over $15,000 in Newcastle, which was the smallest town in the state to have a company of the National Guard.  
Progress was finally being made toward constructing the armory because the newspaper reported on July 10, 1913, that sealed bids for the armory project were being received by the State Armory Board of Control of the Newcastle Armory at Capt. R. Andersen’s office. The board was going to open the bids in public on Aug. 1, 1913, at 10:30 a.m. Bids were to include the construction, plumbing, fixtures, heating, lighting, and sewer and water systems.  
Out of the three submitted bids, Charles Galusha from Casper was most likely to receive the contract for the armory because his bid was lowest at $14,550, according to reports from Aug. 7, 1913. An official decision would be reached on Aug. 11, when the board met in Cheyenne.  
Even though Galusha’s bid was the lowest out of the three, the article says, it probably needed to be even lower for the $15,000 budget because “the $450 left is hardly enough to cover the architect’s fees and the necessary furniture and equipment.” However, it was to be discussed at the meeting in Cheyenne. 
According to a report from Aug.14, 1913, the armory board gave the contract to Galusha. It was expected that the work on the building would start as soon as possible.  
An article from Oct. 2, 1913, reported that construction on the armory had finally begun. Foreman William H. Lloyd arrived from Casper and began the excavation. He employed several men and teams for the job, “making the best possible use of the fine weather.” 
The first-floor joists were expected to be done by the end of the month. O.W. Dow was appointed by the Board of Control to look after its interests during the construction.  
 
The News Letter Journal/Leonard Cash history series continues in next week’s issue.