Yet another Glee-less Tuesday, but never fear! We're spending the time finding new places for all of you to consider. And today, we venture even further into NY State as we hit up Rochester and check out the Main Street Armory! (This is a huge venue that will most certainly accommodate all the amazing fans the boys have too.)
Remember, if you like a venue or have any questions/comments for us, please don't hesitate to contact us at BringBDtoEC@gmail.com and let us know what you think! (Please let us know, we want the boys here just as much as you do!)
Peace, Love, & Bonnie Dune!
~The Bring BD to EC Team
Main Street Armory:
900 East Main Street
Rochester, NY 14605
(585) 232-3221
Booking:
For all booking or press inquiries:
(585) 232-3221
History:
In 1899 George L. Heins replaced Issac G. Perry as state
architect; he held the office until 1907. Heins designed armories in the
castellated/Richardsonian Romanesque style. During his tenure he designed
numerous armories, but to date, seven are known to survive. Heins’ armories
incorporate features of castle-like fortresses, including: soaring towers,
crenellated parapets, massive sally ports, and iron portcullises. Hein’s
armories; however, tend to reflect a more modern and stylized interpretation of
medieval forms and details.
The Main Street Armory is by far the largest and grandest
armory designed by Heins and is among the most sophisticated early 20th century
armories in upstate New York. Reflecting Rochester’s prominent position in the
state at the turn of the century, the East Main Street Armory is worthy of
comparison to some of New York’s finest pre-World War II armories.
The Main Street Armory, built in 1905 as headquarters for
western New York’s 3rd Battalion, is also historically significant for its
association with American military history. The volunteer militia (ie: the
National Guard) has been and to an extent still is the backbone of the American
military system since the colonial era. The Main Street Armory, like virtually
all other National Guard armories, remains a prominent visual reminder and
monument of the pivotal role played by the volunteer militia in American
military history.
The Main Street Armory was commissioned by the state at the
turn of the century and constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers. A castle
was chosen to represent the Main Street Armory to historically commemorate the
original design used by the Corps. Soldiers on their way overseas to fight in
World War I and World War II passed through the armory for final training and
processing. The East Main Street Armory was used by various divisions of the
National Guard and other reserve forces in the Rochester area over the years.
The last personnel to inhabit the armory were personnel from the 209th
battalion and the 2nd division of the 174th Infantry Battalion of the National
Guard. In 1990 the military decided that renovations to the building would be
too costly and built another armory in Scottsville to continue military
operations.
In the early 20th century, the 35,000-square-foot main arena
(designed originally for drill exercises) hosted circuses, concerts, balls, and
auto shows. It was the home arena for the Rochester Iroquois indoor lacrosse team
in the 1930s. The Iroquois’ most famous player was Jay Silverheels who played
Tonto in the Lone Ranger television series from 1949-57. Silverheels played
lacrosse under his real name of Harry (Harold) Smith.
The building was also the home of the Rochester Centrals,
the city’s first professional basketball team from 1925-31. The Centrals played
in the American Basketball League for six seasons. The ABL was the country’s
first professional basketball league. In addition to professional basketball
the Armory also hosted many high school games and served as the home court for
Rochester East High School. Two future National Basketball Association players
came out of East High School in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Walter Dukes
(Seton Hall, Detroit Pistons) and Al Butler (Niagara University, New York
Knicks, Boston Celtics) played their home games for East High at the Armory.
When the Rochester Community War Memorial Arena (now the
Blue Cross Arena) opened in 1955 most of the Armory’s signature events shifted
venues. The Damascus Temple Shrine Circus left after their 1960 performance.
The Main Street Armory remained for mostly military use up until 1990.
It was later auctioned off to Jeff Brongo who for a brief
time hosted events in the armory, but was later shutdown for not having a
sprinkler system. At this time the armory sat mostly unused for over ten years,
until it was reclaimed by the state for non-payment of back taxes.
Today:
The building was then purchased at another auction by local
entrepreneur Scott Donaldson, in 2005. He paid only $1,000 for the
138,000-square-foot, 7-story building, as no one else bid for it. The arena
floor was covered in pigeon droppings, the birds having been the building’s
primary occupants for fifteen years, and the building’s roof, floors, windows,
and interior systems were in severe need of repair. Donaldson, who is blind,
was told he never would have bought it if he could have seen it. Since his
purchase, he has invested thousands of dollars into repairs and refurbishment,
making the building a functioning venue for events.
The Armory’s first sporting event was Next Era Wrestling’s
Fatal Attraction show on February 3rd, 2007. It had an attendance of 450 fans,
despite a major snow storm that hit that night. The main event saw WWF Hall of
Famers Jimmy Snuka and Tito Santana in action.
The Armory’s first concert event was held on February 4,
2006, a sold out performance by O.A.R. More concerts followed later that year,
as the refurbishment continued. The main arena was restored to accommodate an
occupancy of 5,000 people. Part of the basement has been converted into a
paintball facility and plans for a full arcade and private gun club are
underway. The first floor’s west wing is currently being converted into a
restaurant with an Italian-American Cuisine. This restaurant will be able to
cater all future events and will operate before, during, and after events. The
second floor has been turned into office space and banquet rooms, while the 3rd
floor and remaining areas remain mostly untouched. Plans have been developed
for usage of the rest of building, but remain plans until more funds are
acquired.
***All photos and information are courtesy of Main Street Armory***
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