National Register Listing

Anadarko Armory

a.k.a. National Guard Armory

700 W. Oklahoma St., Anadarko, OK
The Anadarko Armory (Anadarko National Guard Armory) is significant within the economic context of Works Progress Administration projects in Anadarko, Oklahoma, 1935-1937, within the military context of national defense requirements of the Oklahoma National Guard's local unit in the era between the two world wars, and within the architectural context of WPA building style and methodology locally and in Oklahoma. The armory was constructed between 1935 and 1937 by local men who were qualified for work relief under WPA guidelines. The project brought $60,000 into the economy of Anadarko, Oklahoma, by employing as many as 210 previously unemployed, unskilled workers for more than thirteen months. The armory also filled a longstanding military need for an adequate, secure drill hall and arms storage building for three units: Regimental Headquarters unit of the 158th Field Artillery; Company B, 158th Field Artillery; and Company F, 120th Quartermaster Regiment, all of the 45th Infantry Division of the Oklahoma National Guard, which had previously had no permanent armory. The Anadarko Armory is significant architecturally as an example of an excellent, intact example of WPA architecture. The materials, brick manufactured in Oklahoma, and craftsmanship evident in masonry work, reflect both the goals of the WPA Building Program in Oklahoma and the practical considerations of using unskilled labor to construct large public buildings. As it is essentially intact, the Anadarko Armory conveys the appropriate feeling and association within these three contexts.
Local significance of the building:
Economics; Military; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

economics military architecture
Oklahoma became the 46th state in the United States on November 16, 1907, making it one of the youngest states in the country.
Oklahoma random facts
Caddo County, located in the central part of Oklahoma, has a rich and diverse history that stretches back thousands of years. The land was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Wichita and Caddo peoples, who relied on the fertile soil and abundant resources for sustenance. European exploration began in the 16th century, with Spanish explorers venturing into the area in search of gold and other riches.

In the early 19th century, the area experienced significant upheaval as the US government forcibly removed the Native American tribes from their ancestral lands, including the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Many tribes, including the Caddo Nation, were relocated to present-day Oklahoma under the policy of Indian Territory. During this time, the land became a crossroads for trade, with various trails and routes passing through the area.

The establishment of Caddo County came with the opening of the Unassigned Lands of Indian Territory in 1889, when settlers rushed into the area to claim land during the Land Run. The county was named after the Caddo Nation, whose history remains intertwined with the region. Soon after, towns such as Anadarko, the county seat, began to emerge as centers of commerce and government.

In the early 20th century, oil was discovered in Caddo County, leading to a boom in the local economy. Oil derricks dotted the landscape, and the black gold brought wealth and prosperity to the region. Agriculture, particularly wheat and cattle farming, also played a significant role in the county's economy throughout its history. Today, Caddo County continues to be a vibrant and diverse community, with a rich cultural heritage and a mix of urban and rural areas.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Caddo County, Oklahoma.

  • 1834: Caddo County is established as part of Indian Territory.
  • 1855: The region is designated as part of the Caddo Nation reservation.
  • 1867: The Caddo Nation is forced to sign a treaty ceding their land to the federal government.
  • 1901: Oklahoma becomes a state, and Caddo County is included in its boundaries.
  • 1902: Anadarko is established as the county seat of Caddo County.
  • 1911: The discovery of oil leads to a rapid economic boom in the county.
  • 1938: The Washita River flood causes significant damage in Caddo County.
  • 1959: The National Register of Historic Places lists the Caddo County Courthouse.
  • 1976: The Caddo County Historical Society is formed to preserve local history.
  • 2009: Crosslin Park in Chickasha is dedicated as a memorial to fallen military members.