The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-08-11

tional companies of the guard. the
state appropriated $4,000 and the
city added the required $4,000 in ad-
dition to donating the lot immedl-
ately north of the old structure. Sen
ator Gustaf Widell and Representa-
tive John Gerlich were instrumental
in securing the needed appropria-
ton.
The building which is now COM
plete and ready to house the four com
panies located within Mankato, is
beautiful structure of red brick
which stands at the corner of Sec
ond and Plum streets. The lowered
front of the building gives beauty
and dignity and at the same time
typifies the solidity of the organiza
ton 1t houses. Every possible need
of the guard is anticipated in the
architecture and the needs OF the
guard will be cared for after there
has been doubling Of the present
number of men.
Finished Before Schedule
Bids were opened for the new ar
mory on January II, 1922 by the
state armory board and after the
general contract was awarded to the
J. B. Nielsen company of this city, it
was specified that it would necessar-
lily be finished in 1T working days.
Yesterday, the day of dedication,
marked the close Of the 175th work
ing day and the structure stands
complete two days before the speci-
| fed date.
- Not only will the building serve
the military establishment adequate
ly but it will also serve the entire
city as a community center for occa-
1t lr iNh hn
handled conveniently at any smalL1
er place. Colonel W. S. Fulton said
today that it is the aim of the Off
GERS in charge of the building to
offer it's use to any worthy organi-
aztion or project that does not con-
| flict with the needs of the military
and said that it is the wish of
the officers that citizens of Mankato
! feel free to ask for the use of the
big auditorium at any time. There
will necessarily be charge for the
use of the building as the state ap-
propriates no funds for light, heat
and other wear and tear when used
by other organizations than those
| for which it was erected but also
said that the charges in each case
will be made entirely reasonable in
order that the community may OBJ
| tain the fullest benefit from the civic
| center building.
1t is the plan Of the officers in
| charge to make strong appeal to
athletic organizations needing much
space. to utilize the wonderful ia
cilities that are to be found in the
armory. There will be an indoor
baseball diamond, indoor tennis
courts, basketball courts. and gym
nasium fittings which will be at the
disposal of the public on occasion
and also for these same people the
shower rooms will be available.
! The first big meetings that will
| be held in the auditorium, aside from
last nights dedication, will be the
| convention of the grand lodge of the
Elks for the state of Minnesota.
Other meetings of this nature will
undoubtedly be held from time to
time and 1t is also hoped that during
the winter it will be possible to get
basketball tournament for the ar
mory.
What Can Be Found There
Entering the first floor of the
building the visitor will first find the
huge auditorium, capable of seating
comfortably more than 5000 persons.
At the north end of the big room is
: a completely fitted stage for any
| IACoII vi OIhCL
that will require stage space. At the
right of the stage there are com
modius dressing rooms for perform
ers and these have all the convent
], fences of the modern theatres.
There is a huge balcony around
three sides of the auditorium and
there can be seated several hundred
| more persons. There is no place in
the big seating space where there is
not a clear view of the stage. There
is not post in the room and all the
supports are huge Orders far above
the line OF vision Of any of the spec
tators. II is said that the outside
walls can fall but that in any case
the roof would remain overhead.
Also on the first floor are placed
the offices for the headquarters de-
tail work Of the Fifth Minnesota
regiment. There is the office space
of Colonel, w. S. Fulton, command
ing. and orderly rooms for the four
other units, the medical detachment,
the service company, the howitzer
company and the headquarters COM
pany for the regiment. There is al,
so the office of the regimental adju-
tant.
A fine officers club is also on the
first floor, between the auditorium
and the street and is admirably fur
nished for such a purpose.
All Organizations Clubs
On the second floor are the club
rooms used jointly by the G. A. R.,
the American Legion the Spanish
War veterans and the veterans OF
Foreign wars and in an adjacent
club room are facilities for the aux
iliaries of each Of these. There Is a
large kitchen between the two and
it is there that lunches for any of
these organizations will be prepared
On this floor will also be found
the large club rooms for the men
enlisted In the local companies.
These are finer than any enlisted
men in Mankato have ever known
and are amply large to accommodate
many more men than are now In the
local establishment ..
In the basement, which covers as
much space as the building. are all
the store rooms for the companies;
there are locker rooms containing
lockers for every individual man en-.
listed; large shower room with
eight hot and cold showers; a gal
ilery for range practice for rifles and