Following America’s fight for independence and the American Revolution, defense of the country largely remained within the local communities. When America became involved in what became World War I in March 1917, the realization the country was indeed vulnerable to outside threats changed the way the military prepared for such a confrontation.
Accordingly, The National Defense Act of 1920 came into being by an act of Congress. It provided for a comprehensive and well organized plan of national defense. It stated, “The Army of the United States shall consist of the Regular Army, the National Guard while in the service of the United States, and the Organized Reserves, including the Officers’ Reserve Corps and the Enlisted Reserve Corps. The National Guard and Reserves being subject to the call of the President of the United States when needed for the National Defense.”
The Craig Armory was the first to be built in Colorado’s first in 1921, and is now the home of the Museum of Northwest Colorado.
An essential component of this new act of national defense was the inclusion that the federal government “should furnish to the several states and territories sufficient clothing, arms and equipment to completely equip the National Guard units organized within their borders.” As those uniforms and equipment needed by the local National Guard facilities began to arrive to communities across the nation, new concerns arose: where to store the supplies, train the reserves and locate a headquarters?
After further government committees, hearings and proposals, it was delegated to state controlled regulations. Colorado quickly responded to the new federal regulations by passing legislation providing up to $500,000 to construct buildings across the state to house the facilities, the reserve units (including American Legion units, and the new armor. Thus armories became the term used for these government buildings.
Instrumental in this state legislation was Colorado congressman George Pughe of Craig. Not missing a beat in helping his local constituents, Pughe helped his hometown organize for an armory building of their own. In March 1921, the Craig Commercial Club voted in favor of an armory and reserve unit in Craig. Having received the needed signatures as required by law, Rep. Pughe took the documents to the state governor’s office. Gov. Oliver Shoup approved the Craig location before the month was out.
he Colorado National Guard Rifle Range, 1937
In so doing, and thanks in no small part to Pughe, Craig became the first town in the state to have the first national armory built. John J. Huddart, an architect for the state military department, drew the blueprints for the building and was in charge of the construction. In the ensuing months and years, a total of 16 armories were built across the state, with 12 of the buildings built with the model of the armory at Craig.
The town of Craig again became the first in the state to establish the first National Guard unit, and holds the record never broken, for recruitment numbers. By request of several local businessmen, officers from the National Guard arrived in Craig, where 60 men signed up and mustered into the Reserves on March 30, 1921. Eligible high school senior students accounted for nearly half of the enlisted men, while not surprising at all, the rest of the enlisted were WWI veterans; all enlisting for duty and service to their country. The newly formed unit received the designation Company A, 157th Infantry.
That same day, the Craig Empire Courier reported, “All members of the new national guard, which is a reserve to the regular army and directly under the supervision of the United States War department, will be paid. The members will be paid at the same rate as the corresponding rank in the regular army for each drill period of 1 hour. A private will receive $1 for each drill, a captain $8, and other ranks at the regular army pay scale.”
Meanwhile, construction of the three story native blond brick building at the corner of 5th and Yampa Avenue continued as weather permitted throughout the winter of 1921-1922. When completed in June 1922, the interior was certainly a marvel to behold. A beautiful hardwood floor lined for basketball covered the entire length of the building’s main floor. At the back end of the main floor was a full stage complete with drop sceneries, with over-view seating in the third floor balcony. A full service kitchen and mess hall was located in the basement, and a full-length indoor swimming pool. However, with the summer heat, defects were found in the placement of the swimming pool. It was discovered the moisture from the pool was warping the wood basketball drill floor above. While attempts were made to remedy the problem, ultimately the pool was drained and filled in.
The townsfolk of Craig were proud of the new building. It soon became the center of the community where the military reserves could train, and the citizens could gather for social events, such as dances, plays and sporting events.
As for the National Guard, Company A used the armory for training and various military activities for the next 50 years. In the mid 1970s a new armory was built on the east end of Craig, while the existing building remained a public facility for community events and services, such as high school graduations.
In 1990, the city commissioners voted overwhelmingly to use the old armory building as a venue to hold and display the growing collection of the Museum of Northwest Colorado. Following minor repairs and some renovation to both the interior and exterior of the building, the new museum opened its doors to the public on Memorial Day in 1991. The building has been added to the National Register of Historical Places and continues to attract visitors with its amazing historic exhibits. And for the folks of Craig, the old armory building still stands tall in community pride and welcomes community events and involvement.
Thanks to The Museum of Northwest Colorado, and Assistant Director Jan Gerber for generously contributing to this article. Visit them at www.museumnwco.org.
