National Guard Armory, Millinocket

Castles had armories, the military had armories and even towns like Millinocket had an armory although the purpose and use of an armory changed over time. The dictionary states “an armory is a place where weapons and other military equipment are stored.” Armories also are large building where members of local military units meet to train and other events were often held. In Millinocket, the armory had a long history of different uses.

At the town’s very beginning, a small wooden building, Union Chapel, was built near the corner of Cherry Street and Katahdin Avenue. It was interdenominational and used for all church services and more, including as an armory.  Later, this wooden building was moved to a location on Central Street behind the Bishop Block.

Prior to WWI, a National Guard company had been established in Millinocket. Capt. William Glenn, a veteran of the Spanish American War, was in command of Company E of the Third Maine Regiment. This was in the small wooden building on Central Street. The building housed military equipment and had a meeting space large enough for the men to drill. This is when it became known as the Armory. The day Co. E joined its regiment for overseas duty with the 26th Division in WWI, many residents were at the railroad station to see them off.

By 1939, a new armory was planned. The state constructed a large brick building on Spring Street near Aroostook Avenue School and the old wooden Armony became a private business (O.S. Gonya & Sons auto business).

Company I (formerly Co. E), held a formal opening and military ball at the new Armory on Tuesday evening, January 16, 1940. An invitation in the museum collection says the event was to begin at 9 PM. It says,” uniforms with slacks should be worn. Kindly advise whether or not you can be present.” Ernest A. Perrow, Captain, 103rd Infantry issued the invitation. The museum also has a dance card from that occasion.

12/7/1941, the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the US entry into WWII meant Company I of the Maine National Guard was again called into service. Maine’s Company I, with many Millinocket men, went to Florida for training with the 103rd Infantry, 43rd Division at Fort Blanding. Due to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, many Millinocket members of the National Guard found themselves headed for the Pacific.

            The Millinocket Armory was the location for locals to sign up for the draft and they were listed in the Bangor Daily News. After Pearl Harbor, those numbers increased greatly and the news stated that as of February, 1943 there were over 600 Millinocket men and women in the Armed Services…they all signed up at the new Armory. (Bangor Daily News put out newspapers by town with photos of these men and women. (The museum has a copy.)

The Armory, through the years, was the scene of many non-military events including voter elections, plays and dances. An example, “Introducin’ Susan, a rollicking three act farce was presented at the Armory. Sponsored by the Millinocket Elks, the performance featured a cast of all local doctors and dentists. Included were Drs. Grumley, Young, Stevens, Santoro, Harrigan, Brown, MacKay and Morey.”

According to UMaine’s Fogler Library’s Digital Commons, an expansion plan was made in 1960-61. I do not know if it was completed. The Millinocket Armory building is currently a privately owned building.