National Guard Armory. This information was found, written by a locale resident in 2012, The empty armory will soon be razed and replaced by apartments on Main Street as part of riverfront revitalization. Back in September of 1923 the new armory was dedicated and it was a big event with a parade, mounted review, barbecue, and a dance. It was built for Battery E of the 139th Field Artillery, Indiana National Guard. Schools and business closed that afternoon for the opening and a proclamation was read by Mayor Osborn. Adjutant-General Harry Smith arrived in Evansville for the event and was picked up by Merle Weisinger, captain of the reserve corps. Smith had been in the military since 1877 starting as a private. The armory was the host then of 85 local men and officers. Captain Philip Rowe was the head of the local organization and the building was built on the site of the stables of Phillip Hagermann. The building was constructed of hard red brick, Indiana limestone, steel and concrete. The measurement was 70X140 feet and the cost of the building was $21,000. The floor was hard pine laid over concrete. Local contractors did the work. Besides Captain Rowe, the other presiding officers were Ist Lieut. Gilbert Behrick and 1st Lieut. Ira Rothrock. At that time Battery E had 31 artillery horses, 4 75 mm guns, 6 caissons, 2 battery store wagons, 3 combat wagons, one water cart, one reel cart, one ration cart,, field kitchen equipment, harness for maximum horse strength, clothing and personal equipment for 120 men, cots, revolvers, and blankets, tents, ammunition, blacksmith and saddler kits and 7 carloads of artillery equipment. Many local firms were used in its construction. Alles Brothers furniture provided the oak furniture for the upstairs offices, Gronemeir Hardware furnished the trim hardware, the sheet metal work, plumbing and roofing was done by Lynn Strack. The building was also used as a basketball court for the boys and girls teams from 1924-1927. It was only natural that when the guard moved on and combined with Evansville the site became the Park and Recreation building. The building served the community well and will be remembered. (http://www.mtvernonin.com/MtVRaysRamb4.php) It was also used as a basketball court before the Coliseum was built in 1926. The Firemen's Balls were held in this location. Later when Battery B was consolidated with Evansville it was usd as skating rink and recreation center. Building burned in 1979.