Duluth National Guard Armory
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Duluth Armory
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Armory in 2010; the Drill Hall (left) and Head House (center and right)
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 Location of the armory in Duluth
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| Location | 1301–1305 London Road, Duluth, Minnesota |
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| Coordinates | 46°47′56″N 92°04′50″W / 46.7990°N 92.0805°WCoordinates: 46°47′56″N 92°04′50″W / 46.7990°N 92.0805°W |
| Built | 1915 |
| Architect |
Original building: Clyde W. Kelly Owen J. Williams 1941 addition: Phillip C. Bettenburg |
| NRHP reference # | 11000324 |
| Added to NRHP | June 1, 2011 |
The Duluth Armory, also known as the Duluth National Guard Armory, is a historic building in Duluth, Minnesota, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The armory was built in 1915 to replace the previous one, built in 1896, which had become inadequate. In 1978, it was purchased by the city and its use as an armory was discontinued. Since 2000, the armory has been threatened with demolition, though efforts are ongoing to renovate the building.
A prior armory was built in Duluth in 1896 for the Minnesota National Guard. In 1899, Minnesota created a naval reserve, introducing a two-division unit in Duluth. The addition strained the available space in the armory. Attempts were made to use some of the first floor, but this conflicted with existing commercial activity.
In September 1913, the city of Duluth announced that it would deed property for a new armory, to be located at the end East Thirteenth Avenue along the waterfront. The proposed location was opposed by some residents; the property was in Lake Shore Park, which had been donated to the city by the Saint Paul and Duluth Railroad under the condition than it remain parkland in perpetuity. The city argued that it was the optimal location and the building would not negatively impact the park. An article in the Duluth News Tribune, published a few days later, showed a site plan and argued that the new armory would "only occupy a corner of the park."
Planning proceeded slowly, despite the urgent need for more spacious facilities. By November 1914, the planned building site had moved across London Road, apparently heeding earlier protests; the new location had previously been purchased by the city for $16,000. The state of Minnesota allocated $112,500 for the armory, and after some delay, bidding began in February 1915. The contract was earned by George H. Lounsberry of Duluth. The building, estimated to cost $107,410, was designed by architects Clyde W. Kelly and Owen J. Williams. The project came in over budget at $150,000; $103,000 was paid by the state, $18,500 by the city, and the remainder by "public-spirited" citizens. The new armory held its grand opening on November 22, 1915. The celebration was attended by Governor Winfield S. Hammond, former governor Adolph Eberhart, and other officials.
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