Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1921-11-18
NEW ARMORY WILL
SERVE MANY USES
Ex-service Men; National Guard And
General Public Will Also Re-
ceive Its Benefits.

The Stevens County Memorial
Armory for long time dreamed of
by night and talked of by day is COM
pleted at last, and the people may
well be proud of it. Measuring ITO
feet in length and IS feet in width it
stands impressive and inviting, it's
war red brick frightening the sur
rounding country, it's many large
windows giving more than an ink
ling of the light and warmth within.
The auditorium which will num-
berless times in the future hold the
whole country side in great commun-
ity gatherings is 60x120 feet. Tech
nically known as a drill floor it is
quite as useful as a dancing floor as
people who attended the official open
ing the other night. can testify. Fif-
teen hundred people can be comfort
ably seated in the room at one time.
The galleries alone can hold $50
people. Twenty-six feet above the
floor six great iron trusses hold the
roof and galleries. Twenty 800 watt
lights hanging from the six trusses
are responsible fors the illumination
at night, while still further light is
given from several 200 watt lights on
the ceiling above the galleries. The
flags used for decorating make bright
spots of color on the dark wood work.
One is impressed by the massive as
pect of the room when he sees how
little the mang flags hanging from
the trusses seem to fill the space. The
temporary platform which can be as
sembled and taken apart in few
minutes is high enough for all in the
auditorium to see. =. l.. T.,
!. Anyone who seeks the Memorial
room will see it on his left as he goes
in at the south entrance. There in
fire proof walls behind metal doors
the trophies and records of Stevens
County and the World War are pre-
served for this generation and for the
ages. The dark green drapes at the
window are in harmony with, the
green tile of the floor. There be-
hind glass the visitors can see the
equipment his son and the sons Of
others who lived and fought and died
over there. The room is 23x25 feet.
Directly across the hall is the Ma
tional Guard officers room which will
in time hold desks for lieutenants
and captain. The walls are cream
above grey wainscotting, and here as
in all other rooms in the building
there is plenty of window space. This
Office is identical in size with the
memorial room.
Upstairs is room that the return
ed soldiers already know as their own
1t is their club room and lounging
room that they are making strenuous
efforts to furnish by raffling. a ford
and by other means, Within its
space the ex-service men will lounge
or gather whenever they please, shar-
ing it's use officially only with the
members of the Woman's Auxiliary,
who, as the women who stood behind
the men during the war are entitled
to it as much as they. The women
too have part in it's furnishings, for
all the proceeds from series of Sat
urday sales are being saved for the
purpose.
The National Guard will have their
club room, Immediately above the
Memorial room. Other rooms espec-
tally for them are a storage room for
equipment. downstairs and a long
room 10x65 feet will be their rifle
: range. Here they will have ample
opportunity to practice shooting and
to gain further honors inmarksman-
ship next summer. The showers in
connection with the locker rooms will
prove cooling and restful after hot
two hours at drill.
The public is particularly interest
ed in the big dining room and kitch-
en- which will be used for banquets
and suppers by many community
groups. The dining room is 44x60
feet and looks capable of accomoda-
ting many large tables. A whole row
of electric plates will make cooking
joy to members of ladies' aids and
and to other women's organizations.
| A coat room and a chair room which
receives the chairs lowered thru the
| floor from the auditorium accounts
| for the rest of the space downstairs.
The Legion room and the National
Guard room will both be opened to
other than military groups on certain
occasions.
The municipal offices in the north
end of the building are 24x65 feet.
The fire department. hall houses the
| fire truck in considerable style in
space 23x53 feet. On the first floor
Chief of Police Stanley Ryan will rel
ceive offenders of the law in tiny
station room Ike feet. Judge G. w.
Beise will preside in the municipal
court room which is 23x32 feet, and
City Manager Frank Haight hold full
sway in his Office which is 12x181h
feet. There is large vault in con-