OREGON PLACES

Klamath Armory and Auditorium Klamath County Museum’s “Biggest and Most Important Artifact”

by Judith Hassen

WITH ITS 2011 LISTING in the local significance and architecture, National Register of Historic Places, adds the building to that “evidence of the 1935 Klamath County Armory dynamic lives,” because for over three and Auditorium was recognized as decades this building hosted all the the Klamath County Museum’s “big- county’s large-scale gatherings as well gest and most important artifact.”1 as many of its small ones. When, in 1969, the City of Klamath Constructed with county and city Falls sold its half of the jointly owned funds, and a grant from the federal 1935 Armory to Klamath County, Public Works Administration, the members of the Klamath County His- Klamath Armory was one of only two torical Society converted the building armories in the state funded through into the Klamath County Museum. both local entities — the other was The museum opened on February the Portland Armory. The armory 22, 1970. On that day, 1,220 visitors originally provided space for weekly pushed through the doors of the old drills and equipment storage for the armory to view the exhibits and see the Oregon National Guard’s Battery D of familiar old armory in its new guise as the 249th Coast Artillery. It also had a museum. At the dedication ceremony, complementary social function, pro- Gov. Tom McCall spoke about the viding space for large public gather- museum’s mission of displaying “liv- ings. The people of Klamath Falls and ing evidence of the dynamic lives that Klamath County were so eager to use have been a part of our history.”2 The the new building that the first several old armory’s listing on the National events held there — a luncheon, a Register of Historic Places, both for wrestling event, a boxing match, and a

 OHQ vol. 115, no. 4 © 2014 Oregon Historical Society Klamath County Museum County Klamath

In 1934, Klamath County and the City of Klamath Falls hired architect Howard R. Perrin to design an armory building for military and public use. The resulting 1935 Klamath Armory building is pictured in this rendering by Perrin, which is archived at the Klamath County Museum along with a number of construction photographs and blueprints.

concert — all occurred before the offi- pay for performing drills and other cial dedication on November 11, 1935. training, increasing yearly training Prior to World War I, only eight requirements from five days of sum- armories existed in Oregon: the Port- mer camp to not fewer than forty- land Armory, built in 1891, and the eight days per year and at least fifteen Albany, Dallas, Woodburn, Salem, Ash- days of annual training. National land, Roseburg, and Eugene armories, Guard units all over the country there- all built between 1910 and 1915. After fore ramped up preparations for war, Congress passed the National Defense building more armories and securing Act in 1916, requirements for the places to drill and store ammunition National Guard became more rigor- and arms. Between 1920 and 1935, the ous. Anticipating the United States’ National Guard added eleven armor- eventual involvement in World War ies to Oregon’s inventory: Marshfield I, the act authorized the president to (Coos Bay), McMinnville, Lebanon, federalize or mobilize the National Medford, Tillamook, Silverton, Cot- Guard for overseas conflicts and to tage Grove, Newberg, Springfield, require service for the duration of the Hillsboro, and Klamath Falls.3 The war. It also released federal funds to Klamath Armory was the sole National

Hassen, Klamath Armory and Auditorium  Guard armory constructed east of residents believed the name no longer the Cascades until after World War represented the new population and II. Population density considerations changed it to Klamath Falls.4 and difficult geographical constraints Newcomers arriving to town trav- contributed to delayed armory con- eled by foot, horseback, and canoe struction in eastern Oregon; the latter (later paddle wheelers), or by wagon, was of particular consequence in the carriage, or stage coach until the case of Klamath Falls. Southern Pacific railroad built a new Originally named Linkville for its train route through Klamath Falls in location at the south end of the Link 1909.5 The railroad provided a route River, Klamath Falls is bordered on the for delivering Klamath products to west by the Cascade Mountains and market, carrying livestock, agricul- to the east by desert. The Link River’s tural products, and lumber south to mile-and-a-quarter-long watercourse Sacramento and San Francisco. As connects Upper Klamath Lake with Klamath Falls became known for its Lake Ewauna and Lower Klamath Lake, rich resources, more people moved a region initially inhabited by Modoc into the area. The county grew rapidly, and Klamath tribes, and later Paiutes nearly tripling the population in ten (also called Yahooskin).Waterfowl years — from 11,413 in 1920 to 32,407 and shorebirds came to those lakes, in 1930. Census numbers show the city part of the Pacific Flyway, by the mil- population nearly quadrupled in the lions. Salmon followed the Klamath same time span: 4,801 in 1920 to 16,093 River up from the Pacific Ocean to in 1930. The Natron Cutoff railroad the lakes, and along with suckers and line, completed in 1926, connected trout, provided a rich food source for Klamath Falls to Eugene and points the inhabitants. The region’s lakes and north and allowed lumber production waterways attracted Euro-American to skyrocket. That lumber boom set settlers, trappers, military men, and Klamath Falls and Klamath County prospectors in the early nineteenth apart economically from other areas century. Fort Klamath was established in the country.6 in 1863 (during the Civil War and four Despite the stock market crash in years after Oregon became a state) and October 1929 and the onset of the was manned by local militia to provide Great Depression, Klamath Falls spent protection for the Southern Route of $1.7 million on building construction the Oregon Trail, also known as the and ranked third in the state in 1929. Applegate Trail. A treaty between the That year, several fine banks, hotels, Klamath Tribes and the United States and other commercial buildings were was signed at Council Grove, near constructed in downtown Klamath Fort Klamath, on October 14, 1964. Falls, including the six-story Oregon Linkville, established in 1867 along the Bank Building at Ninth and Main bank of the Link River, expanded east streets, the First National Bank at and grew to include schools, churches, Sixth and Main streets, the Balsiger and government buildings. By 1893, Ford Motor Company building at

 OHQ vol. 115, no. 4 Esplanade Avenue and Main Street, the cost of an armory, the state would and the Elks Hotel at Eleventh and fund the remaining expenses. Klamath Main streets. Poole’s Pelican Theater Falls proposed a bond of $45,000 and opened that year, as did the Piedmont Klamath County proposed a direct tax Golf and Country Club. On May 10, of $45,000. Together, the sum would 1930, the Klamath Falls Evening Herald constitute half the $180,000 initial reported “Klamath Falls [is the] fastest budget. The initiative enjoyed wide- growing town in [the] U.S.,” as build- spread support. A three-quarter-page ing permit applications set records in ad titled “Vote for your Armory” in the planning office, new stores opened, the November 1, 1930, Evening Herald a new airport was built, and bids were included endorsements from all over issued for a new post office and other the county. Ballot Measure 502–503 government buildings. The need for a went before the voters on November large public gathering space to accom- 2, 1930, and passed by a tally of 1,178 modate the growing population soon to 672 in the city and 2,205 to 1,647 in became acute.7 the county.9 The Klamath Falls National Guard The National Guard members unit, the 249th Coast Artillery, one of deserve much of the credit for the six coast artillery batteries in Oregon, overwhelming success of the bal- formed as Battery D in September lot measure because they worked to 1927, also struggled with inadequate increase awareness of the need for an facilities. Oregon State Representative armory and its performance as a unit Andrew M. Collier complained in 1929 brought praise to Klamath Falls and that “the company at Klamath Falls Klamath County. The Klamath Falls was organized two years ago and is National Guard unit, Battery D, was meeting in a frame building. We have highly involved with the town during about $25,000 worth of equipment that time. The National Guard soldiers with improper facilities of caring for stood at attention for review by visit- it. General White will bear me out in ing Gov. Albin Walter (A.W.) Norblad. the statement that our company is the The local newspaper reported on the ‘crack’ outfit of the state and enjoys the unit’s activities, noting: “Battery D highest rating. There is no armory in Ready for Encampment,” “Battery D Eastern Oregon and Klamath County 249th Coast Artillery . . . will leave is entitled to an armory if anybody is.”8 tomorrow . . . for summer encamp- By 1930, public sentiment and polit- ment,” and “Klamath crack battery ical will were united in the desire for joins other troops on the Troop Train.” an armory at Klamath Falls. The city When Battery D held a military ball and county both donated land located to raise money to rent quarters for in the southeast portion of Block 8 of drill and materiel storage, the soldiers the Hot Springs Addition (1451 Main advertised themselves as the enter- Street) for the armory site. Oregon tainment.10 Before the armory was law at that time stipulated that if local constructed, entertainment took place sources could provide 50 percent of in whatever venue could be procured.

Hassen, Klamath Armory and Auditorium  KlamathCounty Museum

In this photograph, Battery A of the 249th Coast Guard Artillery work with large harbor defense guns, holding twelve-inch mortars, at Fort Stevens, Oregon. Fort Stevens was one of the few places on the West Coast that were shelled by the Japanese during World War II. This photograph belonged to Louis Della Costa, a National Guardsman from Klamath Falls, and was brought to the Klamath County Museum in 2002 for inclusion in a World War II exhibit.

Some venues were small, some were a suggested that armory proponents considerable drive from town, some submit plans to the newly established were uniquely unsuited to the type Federal Emergency Administration of entertainment being offered, and of Public Works for funding consid- some were too expensive for the gen- eration.12 President Franklin D. Roo- eral public.11 City and county residents sevelt established the Federal Emer- needed a space large enough to be gency Administration of Public Works, inclusive. The notion of a new armory or the Public Works Administration serving two functions — as an audito- (pwa) as it was known after 1935, as rium and military facility — seemed part of his “New Deal” initiative to the perfect solution. stimulate economic growth and job Due to the economic effects of creation during the Great Depression. the Great Depression, the state could The pwa was a financing agency that not afford to match half the cost of extended grants, or a combination the Klamath Armory as originally of grants and loans, directly to states planned. R.E. Bradbury, a local mem- and local governments for construct- ber of the public works committee, ing facilities dedicated to public use.

 OHQ vol. 115, no. 4 Typical grants funded 45 percent of the $124,700. The city and county both total cost of the project. As explained added small amounts above and beyond by Christine Curran: their original commitments in order to complete and furnish the Armory, and In general, the pwa accepted projects estimated to cost over $25,000. To apply they hired architect Howard R. Perrin for grants, applicants submitted project to design the armory, work he com- proposals to one of seven regional pwa pleted in 1934. Perrin was no stranger offices around the country. Once approved, to the region. Born in Rhode Island, an inspector from the agency’s engineering he had left an architectural practice in division reviewed bids and specifications accompanying each project and attended Boston to relocate to Klamath Falls in bid openings to ensure grantees followed 1922. He opened a practice in town that proper procedures. Aside from occasional site continued for forty-seven years. During inspections, pwa officials had no involvement the fifteen years between 1926 and 1940, in project construction. Applicants handled Perrin designed no fewer than nineteen all hiring through the private sector. The only limitation the pwa placed on hiring new buildings in Klamath Falls alone, was that preference be given to qualified in addition to five major remodeling workers on relief. Typically, thirty percent of projects. Perrin worked with contrac- the labor force on a pwa project came from tor Edward P. Brosterhous of Bend on 13 the relief rolls. the project.15 Armory proponents sent their Perrin’s final design for the Klamath application to Marshall N. Dana, Armory consisted of a 25,576 square- Regional Advisor for the pwa office foot two-story concrete, brick, and headquartered in Portland. Dana for- steel-frame building with a partial base- warded the application to Washington, ment, two upper stories, and a central D.C. By the middle of January 1934, drill hall with a vaulted roof. The dra- word arrived in Klamath Falls that matic, eighty-foot-wide drill hall and the pwa had approved a $30,700 grant auditorium featured two-story, steel for the construction of Federal Public framework, brick and clay-tile walls, Works Project No. 1825, the Klamath and mechanically laminated wood County Armory. The Oregon State arches.16 Perrin took a slightly different Legislature submitted a bill requesting approach to traditional armory floor one dollar from the state, thus com- plan designs, which placed the “head plying with the Oregon law requiring shed,” or administrative functions, in state involvement in funding armor- front of the “drill shed,” or drill hall. ies. The Klamath County Armory was At the Klamath Armory, Perrin placed one among 400 armories funded by administrative areas on the left side of the pwa throughout the United States the building, separated by a private hall- between 1935 and 1943.14 way from the drill hall. These program- The pwa’s $30,700 grant and the ming changes are significant because city-county contributions (the county’s they signal the building’s dual use — tax pool had grown to $49,000 by for military and public entertainment this time) constituted the Klamath purposes. A hallway on the east side of Armory’s construction budget, set at the drill hall provided access to rooms

Hassen, Klamath Armory and Auditorium  KlamathCounty Museum

This 1935 photograph documents the drill hall arches under construction. Separate pieces of wood are bolted together to form the mechanically laminated arches; tie rods crossing the span hold the bases of the arches together.

available to the public. The private side the northeast corner of the building contained the captain’s office, lieuten- all provided access to the “drill shed,” ant’s office, orderly’s room, showers, or drill hall, which also served as an locker and toilet rooms, a mat room auditorium. Perrin located a large for wrestling, a fortified weapons stor- stage with a dressing room on each age area, a large truck entrance, and side on the north end of the drill hall. a supply room. The partial basement Stadium seating in the balcony on the housed a rifle range. The instruction other three sides of the hall guaranteed room and banquet room and kitchen spectators clear views of the floor and were located on the east, or public, side the stage. Large compartments under of the building, above which were the the balconies provided storage for plotting room and an apartment for the chairs.18 Officials looked forward to employee responsible for protecting the the building’s dedication, because they National Guard’s equipment.17 hoped income generated from armory Perrin designed the building to rentals and from the National Guard include an entertainment function, would contribute over 50 percent of which would ultimately become the its annual allotment for upkeep and prevalent use of the armory. Public maintenance. The federal government rooms in the armory were available for also contributed to operations, provid- rental. Five public entrances, located in ing funding for a night watchman to the front center, at each front corner, protect government materiel stored in in the middle of the east side, and at the Armory.19

 OHQ vol. 115, no. 4 Work began in earnest in 1934, conservative style” than its two Art Deco once funding was secured, and Perrin counterparts, “blending a simplified and “estimated the armory to be ninety monumental modernistic neoclassicism with a more austere form of geometric and styl- percent complete” by July 19, 1935. ized relief sculpture and other ornament.”20 Perrin designed the Klamath Armory in the popular “Modernistic” style, a Classical Moderne architecture is melding of traditional and modern closely associated with the New Deal forms. The style is known today by because it was employed in many a variety of terms, including Planar buildings funded or built by federal Classical, Starved or Stripped Classical, programs, such as the pwa. Building and Classical Moderne: examples in this style are typically symmetrical and balanced in appear- [It is] characterized by classical massing ance. Often horizontally structured, and form; flattened, unadorned exteriors; and richly decorated interiors. Art historian they are more sedate in form than the Eva Weber includes Classical Moderne as zigzag forms that preceded them and one of the three “distinct but related design less streamlined than those that fol- trends of the 1920s and 1930s” encompassed lowed. The Klamath Armory is stylisti- by the term “Art Deco.” The other two are cally more similar to later forms of Art Zigzag Moderne, known for high and angular ornament[ation], and Streamlined Mod- Deco, lacking the towers traditionally erne, with its porthole windows and round associated with Victorian armories corners. The Classical Moderne was “a more and earlier Art Deco architecture. The Klamath County Museum County Klamath

Howard Perrin designed the Klamath Armory and Auditorium in the Classical Moderne style, featuring classical building arrangements with stripped down or stylized details. The cast stone eagle sculpture above the entrance and soldier pilasters represent the armory’s purpose, while reflecting a more modern style typical of buildings constructed with Public Works Administration (pwa) funds.

Hassen, Klamath Armory and Auditorium  The November 9, 1935, Evening Her- ald’s front page informed readers that Monday would bring “the most elabo- rate Armistice Day celebration held in Klamath Falls for years,” because the

KlamathCounty Museum “dedication of the Klamath Armory adds to the importance of the occa- sion.” The all-day program began with Reveille at sunrise and included a parade, a band, invocations, speeches, Armistice Day exercises, distinguished guests, the armory dedication, an afternoon hot dog feed with chil- dren’s races — followed by a banquet — then a military ball. The article continued with this praise: “The local unit of the National Guard (Battery Cast-stone soldier sculptures are D 249th Coast Artillery) are to be incorporated into fluted pilasters that flank the building’s southern and complimented on their new home, as eastern entrances. The soldiers are it was mainly through the efforts of depicted in uniforms available during the officers of Battery D that Klamath 1935, which were largely leftovers from Falls now has this wonderful addition World War I. to our municipal buildings.” The list of merchants who closed their businesses that day in honor of the celebration filled two columns.23 painted ceiling in the Klamath Armory Initially, residents and local orga- foyer, a stylized floral design, and the nizations used the armory for dances, cast-stone exterior statuary are also club events, and sporting events. Mack typical of Classical Moderne styling Lillard, a local boxing and wrestling and conveyed the building’s purpose promoter, leased the Armory for sport- and significance to Klamath Falls.21 ing events beginning in September Perrin chose brick cladding to create 1935. “Rough Greek” Harry Demetral an impression of mass and substance. of Chicago fought “Russian Lion” Al It also assisted the community, because Karasick of Portland in the first wres- it was locally sourced from Klamath tling match in the Klamath Armory. Brick and Tile Company.22 The wide Wrestling had taken on a theatrical Classical Moderne facade of the build- flair by the 1930s and was drawing huge ing captured some of the New Deal’s crowds. In the days before television, sense of confidence: solid and safe, but people had to go to arenas to watch accessible — as welcoming as a com- matches. The armory provided a place munity center as it was upright and in Klamath Falls for those events with strong as an armory. an excellent view of the ring from

 OHQ vol. 115, no. 4 every seat. As reported in an October ing of the “Mexican” in a wild struggle. 2, 1935, Evening Herald article, the first There was even an alligator, but the Armory wrestling match attracted lady wrestler, Clara Mortenson, turned an estimated 2,000 people, making out to be Bruno Mostig. The promoter, it one of “the largest indoor crowds Mack Lillard, was also responsible ever gathered in Klamath Falls.”24 The for providing referees. Red Britton, a wrestling dramas included stars, such famous Klamath County sheriff, both as Gorgeous George and Jumping Joe boxed and refereed.25 Savoldi (best known for the flying Along with professional wrestling, dropkick), tag-teams, wrestling bears, boxing, and judo, amateur sports foreign wrestlers, women wrestlers, flourished in the armory. George and judo. The crowds often got into Demetrakos, a Klamath Falls resident the act, throwing popcorn and peanuts who spent much of his youth in the and even fighting among themselves. Klamath Armory, recalled how kids A few notable wrestling matches held were allowed to go into the ring and at the armory include: “Terrible” Ted fight before a professional bout; the Christy against Ken Hollis; “Dude crowd would throw money into the Chick” facing “Sockeye McDonald”; ring for them.26 From those ranks, and the Lady Champion wrestler beat- and from the local Golden Gloves Klamath County Museum County Klamath

Rich interior details, such as the stylized floral murals on the Klamath Armory’s ceilings, are also typical of the Classical Moderne style.

Hassen, Klamath Armory and Auditorium  program, rose the young fighters of for the night and play the armory, tak- Klamath Falls, including Rudy Carlson ing Duke Ellington’s lead after he and and Ralph Weiser.27 his Famous Orchestra played there on Packing the Armory was no small March 3, 1940. After that, some of the feat — the drill hall could accom- biggest names in the bright lights of modate almost 3,000 people at one New York, Nashville, San Francisco, time — but that is exactly what hap- and Los Angeles were heard and seen pened almost immediately following in the Klamath Armory, albeit usu- its opening. Residents of the Klamath ally on a Monday or a Wednesday Basin and surrounding areas came to night. Whether they were swaying to the Klamath Armory to dance and the sounds of the Big Bands or doing listen to music played by both local the West Coast Swing, dancers at the and nationally known musical art- Armory were having a wonderful ists. Bands passing through Klamath time. In his role as promoter, Baldy Falls on the train, or on The Dalles- Evans brought a variety of bands California Highway (current U.S. to the Klamath Armory in addition 97) traveling from San Francisco to to Duke Ellington, The Sons of the Portland or Seattle, would often stop Pioneers, Tex Williams, Lawrence KlamathCounty Museum

In this photograph taken on May 8, 1965, Murray “Red” Britton referees a match during a boxing exhibition at the Klamath Armory and Auditorium. Britton was a famous Klamath County sheriff who also boxed in matches at the armory.

 OHQ vol. 115, no. 4 During the 1940s and 1950s, promoter Baldy Evans often brought to Klamath Armory big-name performers, including Duke Ellington and Lawrence Welk. Klamath Falls newspapers printed ads for those events titled “Baldy Evans Proudly Presents,” such as this January 23, 1957, advertisement for B.B. King in the Herald and News.

Welk, Paul Whiteman, Gene Krupa, Baldy’s Band and other local bands Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Bob Wills, were always available. Mostly hosting and Hank Thompson. Hundreds of music popular at the time, the armory ads reproduced in the Klamath Falls saw Big Bands and Western bands in newspapers include the phrases “Baldy the 1940s, then Rock-and-Roll and Evans Proudly Presents” or “Another R&B bands in the 1950s and 1960s, Baldy Evans Attraction.” When big- including “Fats” Domino, Little Rich- name bands were not performing, ard, Chuck Berry, Fats Waller, and B.B.

Hassen, Klamath Armory and Auditorium  King. During World War II, soldiers came to dance at the Klamath Armory from Camp Abbott (near Sunriver), Camp Sherman (near Metolius), and Camp White (near Medford) as well as from Klamath Falls’ Naval Air Station, Marine Barracks, and Guard units.28 Circuses found the Armory uniquely suited to handle their specialty per- formances — the concrete-reinforced hardwood floor that held up under the Guard’s artillery was strong enough to handle elephants, too. The Ken Jensen Circus came for several years running, beginning in 1959. Interviews with locals reveal that the famous Polack Brothers Circus came to the armory for many years, beginning in the late 1930s.29 During the 1930s and 1940s, circuses would fill the armory for up to a week at a time.30 Auto shows, furniture shows, agri- cultural fairs, and fund-raising events also appeared regularly at the armory through the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. The Elks Women’s Annual Crab Feed, where men served the women, as well as its counterpart, the Elks Men’s Annual Crab feed, were popular annual events. Well-known bands such as Tommy Allan and his Orchestra lent their names to events such as the Fireman’s Ball and other fundraisers. Annual stockholders’ meetings for the Production Credit Association Because the concrete-reinforced floors always included luncheon for around designed to handle National Guard 500 people, and political rallies, local artillery exercises were also strong and national, drew crowds, especially enough to withstand the weight of elephants, the Klamath Armory building Mark Hatfield’s Old Fashioned Ice 31 was well suited for circus performances. Cream Social. On June 3, 1948, the Herald and News Boy Scout Jamborees, Ice Frol- promoted the Polack Bros. Circus at the ics — all the big events took place in armory. the armory. But it also played host

 OHQ vol. 115, no. 4 to smaller, homespun events, such C reported for travel at the Klamath as club meetings of all sorts. Chess, Armory, anticipating the trip to Camp teen, quilting, karate, judo, and square Clatsop, but the troop trains did not dancing clubs all met regularly at the arrive for five days. During the wait, armory. Between scheduled events, the they marched up Main Street three drill hall served as a basketball court. times a day to eat at a local restaurant, A small equipment room stored bas- practiced close drill and marksman- ketballs and other sports equipment. ship, worked on physical fitness, and Adult basketball leagues rented the slept on the Armory floor. It made the armory for tournaments, and the prof- mess hall and the hard cots at Camp its helped pay the building’s expenses. Clatsop a welcome change.35 Local city, church, and institutional Klamath Falls troops made their leagues played each other and outsid- first visit home as a group for a week- ers. For years, Thursday night in the end in early October 1941. The 249th Armory was League night. The Young Coast Artillery band came with them Men’s Christian Association (ymca) to play for the associated parade and was located in the armory, having football game “and the 200-odd young started as a Boys Club there. Athletic men ran into one of the warmest wel- clubs and dancing clubs met, and con- comes ever given here.”36 Manning Fort tinue to meet, in the armory.32 Stevens, which was one of the few West Through all the public activity in Coast sites actually shelled by the Japa- the armory, Battery D’s presence was nese during World War II, utilized all constant until 1940. Each week, troops of Batteries A and C of the 249th Coast practiced close drill and marksman- Artillery until the threat to the West ship and worked to learn every facet of Coast was downgraded and the need the artillery. In 1935, Capt. Van Vactor for soldiers in other theaters increased. was Battery D’s first commander to use Many local National Guardsmen were the new armory. From January 12, 1937, then transferred to other services.37 Capt. Theodore D. Case commanded The Klamath Falls Armory con- Battery D until the National Guard tinued to perform numerous military divided Klamath Falls battery into Bat- functions during the absence of the teries A and C, commanded by Capt. National Guard. Over 3,176 volunteers John F. Olin and Capt. George D. Pow- signed up for World War II in the ell respectively. Case became Executive Armory, first in a group registration, Officer of the First Battalion.33 then later in the Captain’s Office, On September 16, 1940, Batteries which many museum directors have A and C were federalized, ordered to since made their office. Where people active duty, and relocated to Camp paint and dance today, volunteers Clatsop (now Camp Rilea) to serve rolled bandages, led bond sale drives, at Fort Stevens as harbor defense in and wrote letters. After the attack on anticipation of the United States’ entry Pearl Harbor, then-Governor Charles into World War II.34 It was a rough start A. Sprague recognized the potential for the troops, though. Batteries A and need for local protection and orga-

Hassen, Klamath Armory and Auditorium  nized the Oregon State Guard (osg) to Community needs were also chang- assume the local role of the National ing, and the ymca moved on to its Guard. The Klamath Falls unit of own building. The National Guard osg Company C of the 19th Battalion built a new armory on Shasta Avenue drilled in the Klamath Armory and in 1961. Television became a common trained so it could “perform compe- form of entertainment, and wrestling tently the duties it may be called on to and boxing matches could be watched perform.”38 Before the United Service at home without having to drive to Organizations (uso) came to town, town. Even though some professional some young women formed a group and amateur sports events used the called “The Klamath Commandos.” Auditorium into the 1960s, the over- They marched in parades, hosted a all drop in income during that time local servicemen’s club, and raised was a devastating financial blow for money by selling beverages at events at the Klamath Auditorium. Eventually, the Armory to support their Wounded the Klamath County commissioners Servicemen’s Project. This initiative determined the building was not sup- brought soldiers, sailors, and marines porting itself with the few club rentals from hospitals to Klamath County, and activities remaining. Members where they were housed with locals, of the building committee discussed feted, and thanked. Many doctors used many options for the continued use the lure of a visit to Klamath Falls to of the building; one suggestion was inspire their patients to get well soon.39 to make it the home of the Babe Ruth The State Guard controlled all Little League. Another suggestion National Guard armories in Oregon was to make it the new home of the by 1944, with the exception of Ashland Klamath County Museum.41 and Woodburn, because osg units no By 1969, the Klamath County longer occupied the buildings. On June Museum had outgrown its exhibit 30, 1948, General Rilea, the Oregon space, which it shared with the county Adjutant General, mustered out the library. The city and county wanted remaining units of the Oregon State to consolidate their libraries and sug- Guard, “and the local National Guard gested moving the museum into the came home.”40 In the early 1950s, artil- old city library building. But that did lery used by the local National Guard not solve the museum’s problems, espe- unit outgrew the Klamath Armory, cially given that museum funds had and the unit moved to Kingsley Field. paid for over half the cost of the joint At that time, the building’s function library-museum. The city agreed to sell shifted exclusively to an event facility. its half of the Armory to the county for The word Armory was removed from $1.00. Klamath County and the City of the building’s name, and the Klamath Klamath Falls, like a few other com- “Auditorium” continued to draw munities across the country, chose to crowds with big-name wrestling shows use the old armory for a new purpose. and popular musicians. As noted by David Super in Still Serv-

 OHQ vol. 115, no. 4 ing: Reusing America’s Historic National And yet, for all the enthusiasm exer- Guard Armories, “charmed by their cised in the name of improvement, the distinctive architecture and historical changes caused little permanent dam- presence, several communities across age to the building. With some excep- the country have hushed the bulldozer’s tions, changes were relatively minor, roar by finding new uses for these and many are proving to be reversible. aging armories, ranging from school The black paint has been removed buildings and family resource centers from the clerestory windows, which to libraries and museums.”42 Carol are now covered with uv film, allowing Mattos, past president of the Klamath a view of the drill hall’s interior. Cases County Historical Society, attended the were moved, allowing access to and opening of the museum in 1970. Accus- visibility of the stage, and the museum tomed as she had been to the cramped is developing plans to uncover the arch quarters of the joint museum-library, windows. The future looks bright for her lasting impression was of the new the Klamath Armory. Its recent listing museum’s expanded exhibit space: in the National Register of Historic “There was so much room.”43 Places celebrates its architectural and Museum staff soon found that the historical distinction and publicly rec- spaces inside the Klamath Armory ognizes the community’s commitment were less compatible to the business to this well-loved place. of a museum than they had hoped. On the seventy-fifth anniversary The vast arching roof made the for- of the Klamath Armory’s dedica- mer drill hall difficult and expensive tion, museum staff and volunteers to heat. The new tenants built bases celebrated with a partial reenactment and partitions to divide the huge area of the original dedication program. into manageable spaces, obscuring On Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2010, the stage. Paneling covered the green a re-dedication ceremony followed ceramic tile wainscoting in the lobby. a parade with bands and Armistice Museum staff constructed a floor over Day exercises. Commanding officers, the stadium seating at the south end of Capt. Michael Whalen of the Klamath the building to create a museum library Falls Army National Guard and Col. upstairs. The large stairways leading to Jim Miller of the Klamath Falls Air the balconies were closed in, limiting National Guard accepted plaques com- access upstairs to staff or authorized memorating the roles filled by their visitors. The southwest entrance was predecessors. All county commission- bricked-up to form a vault. Workers ers and a city council member spoke covered over the windows in the face to audiences that included command- of the arch and painted black the clere- ing officers of the Klamath Falls local story windows to prevent uv damage to National Guard unit and many past the artifacts. In the 1970s, the museum and current Guard members. And, just converted the building to geothermal like their predecessors in 1935, they all heat.44 stayed for the hot-dog feed.45

Hassen, Klamath Armory and Auditorium  NOTES

1. Judith Hassen and Cara Kaser, “Klamath 13. Christine Curran, “Winona City Hall,” County Armory and Auditorium,” National National Register of Historic Places Registration Register of Historic Places Registration Form Form (State Historic Preservation Office: St. (Salem: State Historic Preservation Office, Paul, Minn., 1999), section 6, p. 8. Oregon Parks and Recreation, 2011), 20. 14. David Super, Julia Miller, and Renee 2. “McCall Dedicates County Museum,” Hylton, Still Serving: Reusing America’s Historic Klamath Falls Herald and News, February National Guard Armories (Washington, D.C.: 23, 1970, pp. 1,3. For information on the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Klamath County Museum, see http://museum. 2000), 17. klamathcounty.org. 15. Richard Ellison Ritz, Architects of Oregon: 3. “Biennial Report of the Adjutant General A Biographical Dictionary of Architects Deceased of the State of Oregon to the Governor and — 19th and 20th Centuries (Lair Hill Publishing, Commander-in-Chief” (various issues), 2003), 314–315. According to the Oregon State Offices of the State Adjutant General archives, Historic Preservation Office’s historic sites Departments of the Army and Air Force database, Perrin is also credited for designing National Guard of Oregon, Salem, Oregon. the Willard Hotel, Jim’s Tire Service, Chambers 4. See Robert Donnelly, “George Nurse, Building, Audley Apartments, Hillside Hospital, Founder of Linkville,” Oregon Historical Society Main Fire Station, Montgomery Ward Building, Oregon History Project, http://www.ohs.org/ Klamath County Jail, American Legion Veterans education/oregonhistory/historical_records/ Memorial, Golden Rule Building, Murray dspDocument.cfm?doc_id=13fdaee2-0d8e- Building, Wayman Building, Wicker Works, 8f59-72c579404331fe76 (accessed Novemer Johnson-Collier Building, Hirvi Building, 17, 2014); and William G. Robbins, “Lower Bussard Building, Claude Daggett House, and Klamath Lake,” The Oregon Encyclopedia, Harry Moe House. His major remodels include http://oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/lower_ the Henry Grimes Building, Imperial Garage, klamath_lake/#.vgpfqmmjy6a (accessed Maguire Building, Stewart-Drew Building, and November 17, 2014). Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1106. 5. Hassen and Kaser, “Klamath County 16. Mechanically laminated arches are bolted Armor y,” 13 together, rather than glued. 6. Jack Bowden, Railroad Logging in the 17. Hassen and Kaser, “Klamath County Klamath Country (Hamilton, Mont.: Oso Armor y,” 4, 7–8. Publishing, 2003), 16–17. 18. Ibid., 7–8. 7. Evening Herald, May 10, 1930, 1; and 19. DeBlander, “History of the 1935 Klamath Evening Herald, January 10, 1930. County Armory,” 13. 8. Evening Herald, February 7, 1929. 20. See Eva Weber, Art Deco in America 9. Sheilah DeBlander, “History of the (New York: Bison Books, 1985), 12, quoted in 1935 Klamath County Armory,” (Senior thesis, Curran, “Winona City Hall.” Southern Oregon University, 2003), 14; Evening 21. Curran, “Winona City Hall,” section Herald, November 1, 1930; and Evening Herald, 8, p. 2, 12–15. November 3, 1930. 22. Perrin used local brick in many of 10. Evening Herald, May 6, 1930, 6; Evening his designs. DeBlander, “History of the 1935 Herald, June 9, 1930, 1; Evening Herald, June 14, Klamath County Armory,” 35. The original brick 1930, 5; Evening Herald, May 1, 1930, 3. making machine is on display at the Klamath 11. Hassen and Kaser, “Klamath County County Museum. Armory and Auditorium,” 18. 23. “Preparations Complete for Armistice 12. See DeBlander, “History of the 1935 Day Celebration,” Evening Herald, November Klamath County Armory,” 3–4, quoted in Hassen 9, 1935, p. 1,2. and Kaser, “Klamath County Armory,” 14–15. 24. Evening Herald, October 2, 1935, 2.

 OHQ vol. 115, no. 4 25. Evening Herald, February 10, 1942 Thompson, Bill Kitt: From Trail Driver to (Savoldi); Herald and News, February 7, 1950 Cowboy Hall of Fame (Caldwell, ID, Caxton (Gorgeous Gus, Wrestling Bear); Herald and Printers, Ltd., 2009), 149. News, October 26, 1943 (judo); Wrestler vs. 32. Herald and News, February 4, 1948, Reptile advertisement Herald and News, April and February 9, 1950 (boy scouts); Evening 30, 1958, p. 12; Herald and News, March 31, 1957 Herald, December 27, 1950 (ice frolics); Herald (promoters); Herald and News January 2, 1958, and News, February 8, 1951 (adult basketball p.1, and Herald and News, April 20, 1958, p. 3-A leagues). Many club activities and events (Britton and Hawkins). are documented in photographs held at the 26. Judith Hassen interview with George Klamath County Museum. Demetrakos, 2001, interview transcript held by 33. Warren W. Aney, “History of the the author. Demetrakos is a Klamath Falls local Klamath Falls National Guard Unit and who served in World War II along with many Armory,” Prepared for Oregon Military of his friends, all of whom played basketball Department, April 2004, p. 2. and boxed and spent much of their youth in 34. National Defense Act, 1916. the Klamath Armory. 35. Evening Herald, September 21, 1940, 1; 27. The Golden Gloves program (1928 and Judith Hassen interview with Ivan Eccles, –present) promotes amateur boxing in 2001, Klamath County Museum, transcript held the United States and has produced the by author. Eccles was a National Guardsman majority of competitors for America’s boxing from Klamath Falls during WWII who was teams in the Pan-Am and Olympic Games. transferred to a tank unit in North Africa when Sheilah DeBlander interview with Rudy the National Guard decided they no longer Carlson and Sharon Carlson, tape recording, needed as many people at Fort Stevens. Klamath Falls, Oregon, April 17, 1945, cited 36. The Klamath News, October 3, 1941, p.1; in DeBlander, “History of the 1935 Klamath and Herald and News, September 26, 1946, 1. County Armory.”Herald and News, April 14, 37. Hassen interview with Ivan Eccles. 1950 (Ralph Weiser). 38. Evening Herald, October 17, 1940; 28. Evening Herald, February 23, 1940, Klamath County Defense Council Papers, (Ellington); Evening Herald, July 12, 1956 (“Fats” Oregon State Archives, Salem, Oregon; Charles Domino); Herald and News, September 26, 1956 A. Sprague, message to osg (Oregon State (Little Richard); Herald and News, August 25, Guard), “Oregon State Defense Force History,” 1957 (Chuck Berry). 1, http://www.orsdf.org/history.htm (accessed 29. According to advertisements in the November 5, 2014). Herald and News, such as one printed on 39. Dorothy Laurenson Ebbett, “Klamath February 17, 1944, servicemen were admitted Commandos,” The Journal of the Shaw Historical for free or half price. Library 7 (1993): 1–27. 30. Herald and News, March 1,1938 (Polack 40. Oregon Governor Charles A. Sprague, Bros.); and DeBlander interview with Rudy Message to osg (Oregon State Guard), Oregon Carlson and Sharon Carlson. The Evening Herald State Defense Force History, http://www.orsdf. in February and March of 1938 had numerous org/history.htm (accessed November 5, 2014). articles about the forthcoming Shrine Circus 41. Carrol B. Howe, Frontier Stories of the with headlines such as the one on February Klamath Country (Klamath Falls, Ore.: C.B. 28, “Jumbo, Performing Elephant to Appear in Howe, 1989), 146; and Aney, “History of the Shrine Circus at Armory.” Klamath Falls National Guard Unit,” 1. 31. Herald and News, March 11, 1954, 42. Super, Miller, and Hylton, Still Serving, 1. March 3, 1954, and March 13, 1952 (crab feed 43. Judith Hassen conversation with Carol advertisements and photographs); “Fireman’s Mattos, February 2013. Ball — Celebrate the New Year” Herald and 44. Museum conversion records are held at News, December 31, 1952; Herald and News, the Klamath County Museum. October 3, 1966 (Mark Hatfield ice cream 45. Event records and images held by the social); and Donoval L. “Jack” Nicol and Amy author and the Klamath County Museum.

Hassen, Klamath Armory and Auditorium 