Eighth Regiment Armory (Chicago)

Infobox_nrhp2 | name =Eighth Regiment Armory
nrhp_type =
designated_other1_name= Chicago Landmark
designated_other1_date= September 9 1998
designated_other1_abbr= CL
designated_other1_link= Chicago Landmark
designated_other1_color= #aaccff
locmapin = Illinois


caption =
location= 3533 South Giles Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
lat_degrees = 41 | lat_minutes = 49 | lat_seconds = 50.47 | lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 87 | long_minutes = 37 | long_seconds = 9.64 | long_direction = W
area =
built =1914
architect= J.B. Dibelka
architecture= No Style Listed
added = April 30, 1986
governing_body = Private
mpsub=Black Metropolis TR
refnum=86001096 cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

The Eighth Regiment Armory, located in the Black Metropolis-Bronzeville District of Chicago, Illinois, was the first armory in the United States built for an African-American military regiment, known as the "Fighting 8th".cite web|url=http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Landmarks/E/EighthRegiment.html|title=Eighth Regiment Armory|publisher=City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development, Landmarks Division|date=2003|accessdate = 2007-08-05] The building later was used by a division of the Illinois National Guard, and during World War I was incorporated into the US Infantry. After closing the armory in the early 1960s, it became the South Central Gymnasium. In 1999, following an extensive renovation, it was reopened as a public high school military academy.cite web|url=http://www.pbcchicago.com/subhtml/schools.asp|title=Chicago Public Schools|publisher=Public Building Commission of Chicago|date=|accessdate = 2007-08-05] The restoration and conversion into a school has been recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.cite web|url=http://www.pbcchicago.com/subhtml/press/pr_bronzeville.asp|title=Military Academy Addition Gets Revised Design at Community Request|publisher=Public Building Commission of Chicago|date=2001-02-28|accessdate = 2007-08-05]

The nearby Victory Monument honors the regiment for service during World War I.

The armory was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 30 1986, and was designated as a Chicago Landmark on September 9 1998. It is one of nine landmark structures in the Black Metropolis-Bronzeville District.

In popular culture

On June 27, 1937, the armory hosted a battle of the bands, featuring big bands. The Roy Elridge's band began the show, followed by the 16 piece Benny Goodman band, with Gene Krupa on the drums and Harry James on the trumpet. The popular tune "King Porter Stomp" was a highlight of the evening.cite web|url=http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/education/july-dec99/military_10-20.html|title=DRILLING FOR SCHOLARS|publisher=Public Broadcasting Service|date=1999-10-20|accessdate = 2007-08-05]

ee also

*Chicago architecture
*Chicago Landmark

Notes