Clinton Armory
a.k.a. Clinton National Guard Armory
723 S. Thirteenth St., Clinton, OKThe Clinton Armory (Clinton National Guard Armory) is significant within the economic context of Works Progress Administration projects in Clinton, 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 $50,000 into the economy of Clinton, Oklahoma, by employing an average of forty-five previously unemployed, unskilled workers for more than sixteen months. The armory also filled a longstanding military need for an adequate, secure drill hall and arms storage building for the Headquarters Battery and Combat Train, 1st Battalion, 158th Field Artillery, of the 45th Infantry Division of the Oklahoma National Guard, which had previously had no permanent armory. The Clinton Armory is significant architecturally as an excellent, intact example of WPA architecture. The materials, brick manufactured in Oklahoma by convict labor, and workmanship, evident in masonry and cast concrete detailing, reflect both the goals of the WPA Building Program in Oklahoma and the practical considerations of using unskilled labor to construct large public buildings. The armory is one of six WPA structures remaining in Clinton, and it is the town's only example of military-style architecture. As it is essentially intact, the Clinton Armory is able to convey appropriate feeling and association within these three contexts.
Local significance of the building: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.
The county was officially established in 1892, named in honor of General George Armstrong Custer, the controversial military figure who played a prominent role in the Indian Wars. In its early years, Custer County experienced a boom in agriculture, particularly wheat production. The introduction of railroads in the area further facilitated economic growth, as it allowed farmers to transport their goods to larger markets.
Over the years, Custer County faced its share of challenges. The Dust Bowl, a period of severe drought and soil erosion during the 1930s, devastated the region's agriculture. Many farmers were forced to abandon their land and seek employment elsewhere. The county also played a role in World War II, as the Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base was established in 1942 and served as a training facility for pilots.
In more recent years, Custer County has continued to diversify its economy. The discovery of oil and natural gas reserves in the 1950s brought economic prosperity and new opportunities for the county. Today, Custer County thrives on a combination of agriculture, energy production, and a growing tourism industry. The county is known for its natural beauty, with the picturesque Red Rock Canyon and the Washita Battlefield National Historic Site being popular attractions for visitors.
Custer County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Custer County, Oklahoma.
- 1892 - Custer County is established.
- 1897 - The town of Arapaho is incorporated.
- 1901 - The town of Clinton is incorporated.
- 1916 - The Battle of Turkey Springs takes place in the county during the Mexican Border War.
- 1954 - The Foss Dam is completed, providing irrigation and flood control for the area.
- 1983 - The National Route 66 Museum is opened in Clinton.
- 1992 - Clinton becomes the county seat of Custer County.
- 2007 - The Stafford Air & Space Museum expands and reopens in Weatherford.