Ear: Armory

On Dec. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m., the Friends of the Astoria Armory are unveiling some special updates and upgrades to the building, courtesy of Jeff Daly, and are holding a skate night with free admission and skate rentals for anyone donating nonperishable food items or a monetary donation for the Astoria Fire Department Holiday Food Parade.

The National Register of Historic Places lists the Armory under the Astoria Downtown Historic District. On Nov. 6, 1941 (a month before the attack on Pearl Harbor), Oregon and the federal government agreed on spending $110,000 ($2.3 million now) to create a Recreation Center — Armory Building in Astoria.

Plans for the concrete and steel structure were drawn up by Astoria architect John E. Wicks and his daughter, Ebba Wicks, who designed the building to represent the International Style, which features boxy rectangular structures, stark exterior surfaces and open interiors. (When Ebba Wicks married Ernest Brown, their architectural firm designed the Astoria Library and the Illahee Apartments, to name a few.)

John Helstrom built the Armory and, according to the Astoria Armory‘s website, the roof structure was developed in Holland. Construction was completed in 1942, during World War II. Used mainly to entertain the troops, the building could hold an audience of 2,700.

The gala grand opening in June 1942 featured Master of Ceremonies Pinky Tomlin (a singer, songwriter and band leader) and the Camel Caravan (a troupe of entertainers sponsored by Camel cigarettes). USO shows at the Armory featured personalities like Bob Hope and Jack Benny, and then-Vice President Richard Nixon gave a speech there in the 1950s.

After the war era, the Armory was used for local sporting events, rock and roll concerts (The Zombies, Buffalo Springfield) and political rallies, and is still a popular roller-skating rink. The anticipated restorations will only add to the fun. (Photos: Astoria Armory/IMDB.com)