New Britain herald., 1914-04-14
HANNA'S ARNORY IS
 SOLD TO 1. F. & 6.
Biz Manufacturing Concern Takes Possession of Old Landmark.
ONE OF CITYS FAMOUS BUILDINGS

Social Events ana AtnleCIcS
 ished There Since 18SO-Frame IS
 Part of Old North Church-Sale
 Price Is Guarded Closely.
 Hanna's armory, the famous struc- ture on East Main street that mas been the hub of north end social anu athletic activities since 1880, stands in the shadow of the wrecker ana will probably give way to the marcn of industrial progress in short tune. The property has been sold to Ian ders, Frary & Clark, which now owns practically all of the square bounded by Commercial, Center. East Main and Elm streets. The price is not given. although it is believed to be one of the biggest real estate deals from financially standpoint consum- mated in New Britain in years. It is rumored that it was in the vicinity of $40,000.
 The papers were passed this morn ing Landers, Frary & Clark was represented by President Charles F.. l. resented by William w. Hanna, who acted for himself and his sister, Mrs. Elizabeth J. Anderson of Mt. Vernon, New York Negotiations have been in progress for the past two weeks but no inkling of the proposed deal was allowed to become public. Athletic and Social Center.
 Probably no building in New Britt ain has been the scene of so much social activity as Hanna's armory. It has also been prominent in other lines and has been the chosen land for indoor athletics. Although Mr. Hanna holds a lease on the property dating for two years from today it is expected that it will be razed by Landers Frary & Clark at the end of that time and used as site for a new manufacturing building. This will mean the passing of one of New Britain's most famous landmarks and the whir of industry will be heard where for years rang the shouts of athletic fans or rswhere the belles and beaux of the city danced to heart.- pulsating music The finger of com %mercialism has long been pointed at w create little surprise among those who have watched the growth of Landers, Frary & Clark
 The property consists of the large ,armory with two stores and a building in the rear. It has frontage on East Main street of eighty feet and a depth of 200 feet The buildings are numbered from 165 to 177 East Main , street.
 Part of Old North Church.
 The frame of the building is the original frame of the old North church which, years ago, occupied the site on which the Burritt school now stands. John Hanna purchased the church building in 1870 and moved Nit Bcross Main street to the present site of keeney's theater. It was used as a E drill shed by Companies D and Ef and i was at that time the only amusement place in town, Union hall having been destroyed by fire. Gaiety and enter tainment flourished there and many men and women, who are parents of grown families today, did their court , ing there while attending dances or theatrical performances
 Fire practically destroyed the struc- ture on January 1, 1879, although the walls were not consumed. For six months the ruins stood as the funeral pyre of New Britains social whfr1 The, frame was then removed by John Henna to his stone yard on East Main street, where tits standing today. Famous Athletes Seen There.
 The state government leased the building for ten years as an armory and it continued to be used for that purpose until the state armory was, was the scene of numerous athletic events in which famous sportsmen took part Three six-day walking matches with worlds champions com peting were staged within it's walls. Fred Jeans world beating polo team called it home. Basketball and roller skating have also lbeen literally pa- tIonized there by the red-blooded people of the city. Large fairs which ran from week to week, have always . been part Of the life of the armory Many we'll known societies including the E1ks, Eagles, Y. M. T. A. & B. society and others have taken in thousa nds of dollars while holding fairs under its roof.
 w. W. Hanna returned last night < from Mt Vernon, whit1er he went with the deed for his sister to sign. He was asked today what price the property went for but he declined to state.