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Squadron A Armory

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Coordinates: 40°47′10″N 73°57′15″W / 40.78611°N 73.95417°W / 40.78611; -73.95417
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Madison Avenue Facade of the Squadron A Armory
Map
LocationMadison Avenue between 94th and 95th Streets, New York City
Coordinates40°47′10″N 73°57′15″W / 40.78611°N 73.95417°W / 40.78611; -73.95417
Built1895
ArchitectJohn R. Thomas
NRHP reference No.72000877[1]
NYCL No.0181
Significant dates
Added to NRHPMarch 24, 1972
Designated NYCLOctober 19, 1966

The Squadron A Armory is a former United States Army armory and was the home base of Squadron A. It took up the whole block between Madison Avenue and Park Avenue, between 94th and 95th Street. It was therefore also known as the Madison Avenue Armory. A surviving part of the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Madison Avenue Facade of the Squadron A Armory and is a New York City landmark.

A stone plaque with the squadron's cry "Boutez en avant!", translated variously as "Press forward!" or simply "Charge!", is located on the wall at Madison Avenue.[2]

History

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"Boutez en avant!" stone plaque

The building was built in 1895 by a New York City contractor named John F. Johnson.[3] It was constructed with red bricks, featuring massive walls with towers. It also included about 100 horse stalls to house Squadron A's horses.[4]

The building was partially demolished in the 1960s; however, an emergency action from the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, which designated it a landmark, stopping the demolition of the Madison Avenue facade.[4] That facade was later added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.[1] When the eastern building was rebuilt, it was done in a style similar to the original.[4]

List of units stationed at the Squadron A Armory[5]
Unit(s) stationed Years
Troop A 1889–1894
Squadron A (Troops 1 and 2) 1895
Squadron A (Troops 1, 2, and 3) 1896-1897
Troop A, New York Volunteer Cavalry Spanish American War
Squadron A (Troops 1, 2, and 3) 1899–1906
Squadron A (Troops 1, 2, 3, and 4) 1907–1910
1st Cavalry (1st Squadron) 1911
1st Cavalry (Troops A, E, F, and G) 1912
1st Squadron (Troops A, B, C, and D) 1913
Squadron A 1914–??

Usage

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Eastern (interior) side of facade

Today, the eastern and central part of the site are used by Hunter College High School and Elementary School as the schools' main campus. The outline of some of the former walls is lined with trees.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ "History – Squadron A". Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  3. ^ Stephen S. Lash (July 1971). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Madison Avenue Facade of the Squadron A Armory". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
  4. ^ a b c "Squadron A Armory | Historic Districts Council's Six to Celebrate". 6tocelebrate.org. Retrieved 2019-09-23.
  5. ^ "New York City Madison Avenue Armory - NY Military Museum and Veterans Research Center". dmna.ny.gov. Retrieved 2019-09-23.
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Media related to Squadron A Armory at Wikimedia Commons

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