- Minneapolis Armory
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Minneapolis Armory
The Minneapolis Armory in 2006Location: 500--530 6th St., S.
Minneapolis, MinnesotaCoordinates: 44°58′30.33″N 93°15′47.8″W / 44.9750917°N 93.263278°WCoordinates: 44°58′30.33″N 93°15′47.8″W / 44.9750917°N 93.263278°W Built: 1935-36 Architect: P.C. Bettenburg; Walter H. Wheeler, Architectural style: Moderne NRHP Reference#: 85002491 [1] Added to NRHP: 26 September 1985 [2] The Minneapolis Armory is located in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The armory was built for the Minnesota National Guard in 1935-36 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.[2]
The armory was the costliest single building in Minnesota supported by a Public Works Administration grant. The building is an example of the PWA Moderne style, a design characterized by strong geometry, bold contouring and integrated sculpture ornamentation.[3] The building was designed by St. Paul architect P.C. Bettenburg, who was also a major in the Minnesota National Guard.[4]
From the late 1930s through the 1970s, it was a venue for civic events, including concerts, political conventions and sporting events such as Golden Gloves tournaments. The building was used by the Minneapolis Lakers of the National Basketball Association as a part time home between 1947-59,[3] and as its primary home court for the 1959–60 NBA season.[5] The National Guard ceased operations at the armory in 1980.[3]
The interior of the Minneapolis Armory in 2006, during its incarnation as a parking structure
Hennepin County bought the armory in 1989 for 4.7 million dollars, with plans to place a new county jail on the site.[4] The Minnesota Historical Society sued to stop its destruction and in 1993 the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the structure was protected by state law and could not be torn down because of its historical status.[4] In 1998, the county sold the building for 2.6 million dollars USD to a private company for use as a parking structure on condition that it be preserved.[3] That is its present use.
Minneapolis native Prince used the building to shoot the music video for "1999" in 1982.[6] 16 years later, Aerosmith recorded the video for their song "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" in the armory.[7]
See also
- List of Registered Historic Places in Minnesota
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. no date specified. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html.
- ^ a b Nord, Mary Ann (2003). The National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota: A Guide. St. Paul, Minn.: Minnesota Historical Society Press. p. 95. ISBN 0-87351-448-3.
- ^ a b c d Hennepin County Fact Sheets:Minneapolis Armory
- ^ a b c Millett, Larry (2007). AIA Guide to the Twin Cities: The Essential Source on the Architecture of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Minnesota Historical Society Press. p. 75. ISBN 0-87351-540-4.
- ^ Thornley, Stew (1989). The History of the Lakers : Basketball's Original Dynasty. Minneapolis, Minn.: Nodin Press. p. 68. ISBN 0-921714-39-7.
- ^ MTV MUSIC - Prince - Pop Up Video "1999"
- ^ IMDB profile for "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing":Filming location
Preceded by
Minneapolis AuditoriumHome of the
Minneapolis Lakers
1959 – 1960Succeeded by
Los Angeles Memorial Sports ArenaU.S. National Register of Historic Places Topics Lists by states Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • WyomingLists by territories Lists by associated states Other 
Category:National Register of Historic Places • 
Portal:National Register of Historic PlacesLos Angeles Lakers Formerly the Detroit Gems and the Minneapolis Lakers • Founded in 1946 • Based in Los Angeles, California The Franchise Franchise • Team History • All-Time roster • Draft history • Seasons • Records • Head coaches • Current seasonArenas Minneapolis Auditorium • Minneapolis Armory • Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena • The Forum • Staples CenterD-League Affiliate Administration Dr. Jerry Buss (Majority Owner) • Anschutz Entertainment Group (Minority Owner) • Patrick Soon-Shiong (Minority Owner) • Mitch Kupchak (Vice President & GM of Basketball Ops.) • Mike Brown (Head Coach)Retired Numbers 13 • 22 • 25 • 32 • 33 • 42 • 44 • Chick Hearn (Microphone)
Minneapolis Lakers Hall of Famers (Mikan, Mikkelsen, Martin, Lovellette, Pollard, Coach Kundla)NBA Championships (16) Rivals Boston Celtics • Philadelphia 76ers • San Antonio Spurs • Houston Rockets • Detroit Pistons • Los Angeles ClippersCulture and Lore "Showtime" • Wilt the Stilt • Mr. Clutch • Elgin Baylor • The Captain • Magic • Lakers vs. Celtics • Chick Hearn • Riles • Jack Kent Cooke • The Fabulous Forum • Staples Center • The Punch • Big Game James • Bryant–O'Neal feud • 81 • Black Mamba • The Diesel • Lawrence Tanter • Jack Nicholson • I Love L.A. • 0.4 • The Zen Master • 33-game win streakMedia TVKCAL • Fox Sports West • New Lakers Networks (coming fall 2012)RadioCategories:- 1936 architecture
- Basketball venues in Minnesota
- Minneapolis Lakers arenas
- National Register of Historic Places in Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Sports venues in Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Military facilities in Minnesota
- Facilities of the United States Army National Guard
- Defunct National Basketball Association venues
- Armories on the National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota
- Art Deco architecture in Minnesota
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