205 North Broadway Street
New Ulm, MN, USA

National Register of Historic Places - New Ulm Armory

Statement of Significance:

Armory buildings constructed from the turn of the century through World War I often retained the stylistic elements of the medieval fortress while adapting the interior to accommodate a wide variety of activities. In a recent survey of state-owned structures in Minnesota conducted by the Department of Administration and the State Historic Preservation Office, the New Ulm National Guard Armory was judged, to be the most distinguished example of this type of several such existing buildings in the state.

The building has been the center of both National Guard and community activities since its construction in 1914. The New Ulm Guard was one of the first local National Guard companies to be organized in Minnesota shortly after state legislation created an active state militia in 1871. Motivating force behind this "New Ulm Military Company", as it was called, was Joseph Bobleter, who later became the first president of the Minnesota National Guard Association.

The New Ulm Armory is significant as an outstanding representative example of pre-WI armories in the state, associated with one of Minnesota's oldest National Guard Companies, and as a strong visual component of the local streetscape.