Repository: UIHistories Project: Dedication - New Armory [PAGE 3]

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The Legislature of the State of Illinois at its last session made an appropriation for the erection of an armory upon the campus of the University for the use of the cadet regiment of that instituiton. The cadet regiment of the University of Illinois is the largest regiment in the country. At the end of the first semester of the academic year 1912-13 it had enrolled 1525 who actually drilled. This is double the size of the ordinary National Guard regiment. The question of drill or no drill for students is not an optional one at the University of Illinois. This institution was founded with the proceeds of the land grant made by the federal government in 1862, one of the conditions of which was that instruction in military science and tactics should be given. The federal government details an officer of the regular army to supervise and direct the military instruction and training of these students. All freshmen and sophomores are required to give three hours a week to this branch of instruction. This is much more exacting than any requirement made of the members of the National Guard. The federal authorities set such store by this military drill as an element in the scheme of national defense that they have urged that the state should* make adequate provision for the conduct of this work. As the University of Illinois derives altogether more than a hundred thousand dollars per annum in the way of grants from the federal government, it can be seen that aside from the general reasons based on the necessity of national defense, the federal government has a right to insist that due attention shall be given to the military department. There has been for some time a clear recognition that the armory, erected more than twenty years ago for a regiment of fewer than five hundred cadets, was no longer adequate. Plans were accordingly drawn providing for space which would enable the entire regiment to maneuver by battalion, and an appropriation was secured for the erection of this building. The important feature of the new University of Illinois armory is the drill hall, which will ultimately have, when completed, according to the plans already made, a clear floor area of 200 x 394 feet, with space for spectators' galleries along the sides providing seating for three thousand people. This area is considered essential to provide adequately for maneuvering a battalion. The auxiliary rooms necessary for the use of the several companies, for locker rooms, general offices and class rooms, are provided for in three-story portions of the building on each side of the drill hall, but the third stories are reserved for rifle ranges. The building is primarily a steel structure, the main drill floor being spanned by three-hinged arches, 26 feet on centers and weighing about thirtysix tons each. The walls of the building will be of tile and concrete, and the lighting is chiefly from the ends, though there are high windows above the roofs of the three-story portions. The entrances have been arranged so that persons going to the galleries will enter through the towers and not in any way interfere with the movement of the regiment. This building will he used not only as an armory, hut as an exhibition and assembly hall for other general University purposes. The erection of this armory will make it possible for the first time in the history of the University to assemble at one time the large number of people who attend the farmers' conventions, short courses, etc. It will also enable the University to provide adequate facilities for the throngs which attend great University occasions like commencement exercises, etc. The armory, moreover, will doubtless become a favorite meeting place for state agricultural societies and conventions requiring large audience rooms.