Armory of the First Corps of Cadets, Military arsenal in Back Bay, United States.
The Armory of the First Corps of Cadets is a four-story granite structure located at Arlington Street and Columbus Avenue, featuring Victorian and Romanesque Revival architectural elements with a prominent six-story tower. The building contains multiple interior levels with period details now adapted for contemporary event use.
The structure was designed by architect William Gibbons Preston and completed between 1891 and 1897 during a period of significant political tension in Massachusetts. It originally functioned as a military training facility before transitioning through several institutional uses over the following decades.
The building once served as a training hub for military personnel and remains a defining landmark in the neighborhood's connection to Boston's military past. Today, visitors encounter it as a gathering place for celebrations and events rather than its original military purpose.
The building is visible from street level and easily accessible from surrounding areas, with multiple floors suitable for different types of gatherings. Visitors should note that access varies depending on private events scheduled at the venue.
The tower once housed signaling equipment that allowed communication with officials at the Massachusetts State House across Boston Common. This long-distance communication system was an innovative solution for coordinating between government buildings in that era.
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