The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-02-07

Within year the Thirteenth regi-
ment will have model armory that
will be q credit to the city no less than
to the regiment. The trustees of the
Scranton City Guards association met
Friday evening with Colonel l.. a.
Watres and decided to dispose of the
property on Adams avenue and. as
forecast in The Tribune some weeks
ago, to purchase a plot of ground on
Myrtle street extending from jefferson
to Adams avenue. The plot has been
secured by the trustees and has a 'front.'
age Of 1856 feet on Myrtle street, 21O on
Adams avenue and 40 on jefferson
avenue.
The Myrtle street site was decided
upon for several reasons. The contour
of the ground is such that a build
ing can be constructed with desirable
quarters in the basement for shooting
gallery. gymnasium, baths, etc. Then
the Erie and Wyoming Valley runs
within a few feet of the rear of the
proposed building and n switch can he
run to the armory that will facilitate
the work of loading camp equipment,
ETC., when the regiment goes to camp
or is called out for service.
Land where the armory Is now 10
Gated on Adams avenue Is so valuable
that 1t would be impossible to erect
and maintain a suitable building with
out having stores on the ground floor.
This was deemed inadvisable it being
the unanimous decision of the trustees
and Colonel Watres that the building
should be erected for armory purposes
only. The difference between the price
paid for the Myrtle street property ard
that which will be obtained from the
sale of the Adams avenue land will
form a snug nucleus for the building
fund.
PLANS ORDERED.
At Mondays meeting the architect
who drew the plans for The proposed
armory for Adams avenue was in
structed to prepare a preliminary plan
and an estimate of costs of building
for the new site. The building will
be 3S6xl70 and will have the largest
drill room in the state. In it the en-
tire regiment can be formed by bat
talons and battalion drills can be held
in It.
The building will also contain head
quarters rooms. n-commissioned oi!t-
GERS room, eight company rooms, head
quarters for the Scranton City Guards
Veterans association and for the band.
The entire first floor will be taken up
by the drill room which will be so
arranged that it can be used for con-
ventions and large assemblages in gen.
eral.
The material of which the building
will be constructed has not yet been
decided upon. 1t will probably be con-
structed mainly of stone, however. The
cost will be about s14O,OO0
In the basement will be a 100-yard
range, gymnasium, baths and SWIM
ming pool for the convenience and
comfort Of the members of the regi-
ment. The proposed building will not
cover the entire plot. There Will be
a plot 176 feet deep with frontage
Of 40 feet on Adams avenue that will be
held for such future extensions or inn
provements to the armory bu1ding
as may be deemed advisable.
BONDS ISSUED.
To pay the cost of the armory bonds
are to be issued, enough of which have
already been subscribed for to warrant
the trustees in saying that there is abb
solute certainty that the armory will
be built. Colonel Watres has for some
time been soliciting subscriptions for
these bonds and those who have not al
ready been called on will in the near
future.
Colonel Watres said yesterday, in
speaking about the proposed armory,
that he hoped work on it will begin as
soon as the frost is out of the ground.
The preparation Of the plans Is the
only thing that will~now delay the
beginning of operations.
1t is expected that the building VIII
be completed before the end of the
year. 1t will be opened with mill
tary fair to raise money to furnish ana
equip the building with the conven-
fences it is proposed to put In 1t.